Using a Harness

[Isk8NYC]

Okay coaches, who's used a harness to teach what elements at the lower levels? (Below pre-juv)

I haven't used one in years and the one that I used was homemade with a vest and a rope attached to a flagpole pulley.
(No lie!)

I have several students at the Pre-Prel/Freeskate levels. Each and every one has asked me about using the harness.
Is it of any value before axel prep? What about for backspins? How do you keep it under the wire?

I'm taking any and all suggestions.

[Virtualsk8r]

Depends which harness set-up you are using. I prefer the hand-held fishing pole for triple jumps and double axels. However, you need a really strong (preferably former pairs skater) to use it for you.

The straight-line harness across the rink is great for beginner skaters to learn how to pull in their arms and feet once they have actually learned the basic technique for jumping off the harness. I generally use it for axels, flips and loops. Hard to do single lutz. Skaters have to understand the concept of checking and lifting. We use the red line behind the goalie crease. I have the skaters turn a rather straight three-turn and pick on the red line for the flip. For the single axel -- skate skate skate down the line backwards - step forward slightly outside the line and lift. Key is the preparation edge.

I find the harness is much like using Dartfish or video -- some skaters benefit more than others. Plus, the harness is a 'fun' thing to look forward to and may motivate pre-pre's more!

Definitely good for backspins. The skater doesn't have to worry about falling out of the spin, because you will stop it. And it is both fun and constructive for the skater to do a fast backspin then be pulled up into the backspin air position of jumps.

[Isk8NYC]

Thanks for the reply.

Our rink has a ceiling-mounted harness cable that runs diagonally from the last hockey box to the corner. There's no line on the ice. (Putting over a hockey line makes sense.) The run is a little longer than the width of the rink. I can just draw a line underneath ours with a marker/chalk string and accomplish the same thing.

It has a belt with shoulder straps and several loops to connect to the guide rope.

I like the backspin idea. It also gives me a relatively safe way to practice with it on my end. A few questions:

Do you use it to introduce the spin for the first time or do you use it to refine the skater's existing backspin into a tight backspin?
For the start do you use a standing pivot or the three-turn entrance?
I think I would introduce the loop off-harness first, then use it to give the skater a little more "hang time" and get into the landing position. I have two students who are not rotating enough. I know you keep tension in the line without "lifting" the student, but where do you stand while they're moving through the jump? (In front, behind, next to? Do you change your location based on their stage of the jump?)

[phoenix]

If you're uncertain as to the mechanics of using your particular harness, I'd strongly recommend getting another coach to walk you through it for 10 or 15 minutes. Start w/ you in the harness while they demonstrate the proper usage, then switch so you can practice w/ them in the harness--before you get a little kid in there who will just want to play 'peter pan', whether you're ready for it or not! :lol:

Not knowing your exact setup it's hard to say where you should stand, etc--other than to say your goal is to keep the line from the ceiling to the skater vertical at all times (don't let them skate way off to one side, otherwise they'll go up & swing back...), and you will skate alongside (generally) to keep the tension in the line. So the skater must be given a quick education too--don't just have them go out willy nilly expecting you to catch them.

[Skate@Delaware]

Here is a link to a video (done by Sheila Thelen) which is really good. She hits all the important things to consider for the different types of harnesses (safety, setup, where to stand, etc).

http://www.icoachskating.com/site.php/spgs/read/vt_shth_001

There is another video there as well.