Weight in the Circle or Out of the Circle

Ever since I started skating there has always been a controversy over various methods and techniques of skating and as I have recently made a major change in my life by moving to the States perhaps this is a good time to discuss this matter

To my mind there is no question that your weight has to be in the circle in order to create a clean running edge, however there are a number of occasions when as a skater you feel that this is not the case.

This is particularly true when on a strong inside edge. In this situation it is true to say that almost the more you brace or resist against the circle the stronger the edge becomes. For instance, on a backward inside edge generally you face outside of the circle and your weight is to the back of your body and braced against the circle. Also on a forward inside edge at the beginning of the circle your weight starts in the circle, but as you start to rise to prepare for the new circle your weight feels that it again braces against the circle in order to prepare the weight for the new circle. In other words it is often possible to lean or brace against the circle and maintain an inside to great effect and this also allows you to keep your weight on your pushing foot, which in turn allows you to take a stronger strike or push from one foot to another.

I also think that when you are stroking backwards and your head is facing in the direction that you are skating, your weight is obviously in the circle, however if you simply change your head to look over the their shoulder so that you are looking from where you came you immediately have the feeling that your weight is out of the circle and that you are braced against the circle. I have often tried to describe this as 'physical' and 'mental' weight. By this I mean that while your weight is obviously really always in the circle the simple act of turning your head does appear to make your weight feel as if it has changed sides of your body. This can be tried by simply standing 'off ice'   with your hips facing in the circle and your weight equally balanced on both feet and with your head facing in the direction that you think you would be skating, then turning your head to look over the other shoulder. At once you feel as if you weight is braced against the circle and on the other side of your body although in practice your weight has not changed at all.

I know that for years, coaches and skaters have often had heated debates over this controversial theory. I have given it much thought and have over the years tried both methods, but I must say that at the end of the day I feel the only answer is that the weight must always be in the circle that you are skating. However there are occasions when your body does feel as if you are braced or leaning against the circle. I would be very interested to hear from other skaters or coaches who might have other or similar ideas on this subject.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article, and may I wish you many happy hours trying to experiment on this subject.