Teapot/shoot the duck

[Melzorina]

Does anyone have any tips on a teapot/shoot the duck? I need to be able to do it, and always fall. I can't quite get low enough, nevermind be on one foot! I need to learn this before I start on my sitspin :(

[mikawendy]

You could try it on two feet to get the feel of the balance.

However, you may not need to be able to do a shoot the duck well to be able to sit spin. Some people are able to do the sit spin quite nicely but aren't able to do a shoot the duck.

For either the shoot the duck or the sit spin, strength in the quadriceps muscles in the thigh will help with being able to go into a low position and rise up out of it without the use of the arms.

[crayonskater]

Here is how I've been learning it:

First, start off on two feet with decent speed. Bend both your knees until you're in a very low shoot-the-duck position. Then, shift your weight to one foot and straighten and turn out the other leg -- you can move the arms forward toward that toe, too. Hold it as long as you can, then bend the leg back under you so you're on two feet, and then stand up. Repeat with the other leg.

Once you're comfortable with that, start with a one foot glide. Sink down, turn out the toe on the free leg, and then when you're done, bend it back in so you stand up on two feet.

Once you're comfortable with *that*, then try the full shoot-the-duck!

[sceptique]

Practice it off-ice as ofter as you can. You'd laugh, but I do it in the office every time I go to the restroom, right after washing my hands, using wash basin stand as a spotter. :lol: Also try to do it at the outer side of the rink barrier, holding it with one hand, with your skates on before you go on ise, just to get the feel were you balance should be.

[Melzorina]

I've been trying it randomly around my house, in my room, in my living room, in my friend's kitchen...

[TashaKat]

Try it backwards! I could always do backwards teapots better than forwards ones ... but then I was always weird :D

[NickiT]

I can do a decent sitspin (even the judges told me so when I tested on it!), but I cannot do a decent teapot to save my life. I don't believe that you have to be able to do a teapot in order to do a decent sitspin. It's a lot easier getting into position while in the spin as the momentum supports you and helps you balance!

Nicki

[Melzorina]

My coach is odd though, he insists on coaching properly, in the exact order things should be done, besides, I agree that it will strengthen my sitspin.

[flippet]

I agree with turning the free foot out--somehow it seemed to help me a bit. Also, when you lift that foot and begin to go down, stretch forward as if you're touching your toes...helps keep you off your bum for longer.

Oh yeah--and wear slippery pants! :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Melzorina]

I had my skating skirt on, and I was surprised at how far I travelled and how much fun it was sliding. When I gave up i just kinda "plopped" on the ice and slid, it was great.

[skaternum]

My coach is odd though, he insists on coaching properly, in the exact order things should be done, besides, I agree that it will strengthen my sitspin.One does not need to be able to do a shoot the duck to do a good sitspin. I have a very good sitspin, and I've never been able to do a shoot the duck.

IMNSHO, forcing students to do things in HIS preferred order, insisting that this is THE only order, and referring to it as "coaching properly" is a load of hooey. Every student is different. Inflexibility in adapting to that is a hallmark of a bad coach, in my experience.

[Melzorina]

He does say that if I can't do it that he'll forget it, but he'd like me to work on it for a while because he thinks I can.

[aussieskater]

Melzorina, are you having trouble actually getting down, or are you getting down OK but then unable to stick the foot out without falling off the skating foot?

If you're having trouble actually getting down to the "sitting on the haunches" position, you might like to try this: get a bit of speed up, then bend forward, bend the knees and grab under the toe of each boot around the tops of your blades, with your first 2 fingers of each hand (index finger to the inside and long finger to the outside of the blade). Then *gently* pull yourself down and tuck your bottom in as you go. You need to end up with your bottom right in under you before you put the foot out.

Once you're down and secure, to put the foot out takes quite a bit of balance - and some speed left. You can't do it successfully when you've come to a stop (at least, I can't...). You need to keep your weight forward somewhat, to help stop yourself from falling backwards onto your bottom (hence the first part is learning to keep your bottom under you, not behind you).

It often helps to reach far forward as you do it - if nothing else, the weight of your arms then comes to the front of the "fulcrum" of your blade, helping to counter the weight of your back and bottom at the back!