3-Turns
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3-turns are nothing more than one foot turns that you maintain control and balance on (and other turns). If you’ve gotten great balance on the stuff in the previous section, then 3-turns won’t take you long to learn and master. 3-turns are also pre-requisites for spins and jumps. If you have a good three turn that will turn into a good spin and a good jump! The four 3-turns edge turns: Outer Forward to Inner Back skate a figure circle on the left foot skating on an outer forward edge with your free leg trailing behind you. Start off with the arms in front of you at a 45-degree angle and skate the outside edge. Now for the turn part. In speed skating, you set your shoulder first and plant the feet for balance and control. In 3-turns, you set the shoulder first for balance and control and then make the turn. So executing the turn, twist your upper body starting with your left shoulder and keep your focus balance and tension on the left shoulder, pressing down to the hand. Also you want to make sure your left shoulder turns enough so it crosses the figure line, so it’s on the opposite side of the circle it started on. You must keep looking where you want to go so keep looking at the figure line and only turn your shoulders and upper body keeping your hips and head in its original position. This wind up position will create torque and make the turn effortless. The left shoulder will steer you into the circle from the tension and at the last minute shift your weight slightly towards the outer back heel of your skate to continue to turn you into the circle and then immediately shift your weight slightly to the inner big toe. The wheels should slide with ease on the turn. However, be sure to use your left shoulder extending down to your hand to control the balance. The only thing that will turn under you is your hips and foot. That’s it! Now the hard part is keeping the left shoulder in place after setting it and after the turn. Most people want to keep the shoulder moving causing them to keep turning too much and fall/turn more into the circle but you have to control the left shoulder and make sure it stops after it is set and after the turn. Once you get the left side, work on the right side doing just the opposite! Note: Arm position is a matter preference and how your coach wants to you to keep your arms can vary but remember the arms can be anywhere and the balance control is in the same side shoulder of the skating foot. Some of you may have trouble with this turn and I will tell you what will make it fail.
- Trying to poke the hips out or rather into the circle to skate the edge and make the turn.
- Excessively rolling your ankle to create the turn.
- Moving your free foot to force you through the turn.
- Lifting the heel.
These things will cause the turn to fail or be sloppy. Keep tension in the shoulder of the foot you are skating on and keep everything else in line with that shoulder down to the foot. These things will cause a turn or technique to fail for anything else I discuss from here on. Trust the same side shoulder of the skating foot that you are skating on and I promise it will not fail you! After you’ve got the left foot 3-turn, do the right foot. Inner Forward to Outer Back From here on out you will notice a theme talking about the rest of the 3-turns. Skate on a figure circle starting with the left inner forward edge with the free foot trailing behind you. Start off with the arms in front of you at a 45-degree angle. Now for the turn part. Like before, set the shoulders first so since you’re skating on the left foot, focus your balance, control and tension on the left shoulder, arm, and hand. Start turning the upper body towards the inside of the circle leading with the left shoulder. Keep looking at the line (look where you want to go). The left shoulder must crossover the center line and maintain tension and control. Keep your hips forward and don’t let them rotate with the upper body. At the last minute shift your weight slightly to the inner back heel to turn into the circle and then transfer the weight slightly to the outer back pinky toe. The skate should slide around with no effort. Be sure that your left shoulder does not continue to rotate as you start and finish the turn. It should remain in control and have tension the entire time. It’s your balance and control. The only thing that will turn under you is your hips and your feet. After you’ve got the left foot, work on the right foot. Outer Back to Inner Forward Coming soon! The Inner Back to Outer Forward Coming soon!
Post Still Under Construction
Video and other notes coming soon!