How to Ice Skate

Learning to ice skate can be tricky at first, but keep at it. You will get better each time you get out on the ice. Here are a few tips to get you going.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Getting Started

1. Stand with your heels together and your toes pointing out, forming a V with your feet. If you're at an ice rink with sidewalls, hold onto the walls while you get your balance.
   

2. Bend your knees and push off to the side with your right foot. Keep your left foot pointed forward.

3. Bring your right foot back to the starting position and push off to the side with your left foot. This time keep your right foot pointed forward.

4. Repeat this process alternating feet over and over to keep skating in a straight line.

Stopping and Turning

5. Do a T-stop. Glide forward on your left foot and drag you right foot behind you, forming a T with your feet. As your foot drags you should come to a slow stop.

6. Stop faster with a hockey stop. Turn your feet sideways and let them dig into the ice. This will take some time to get right, especially if your skates have a toe pick on the front.
   

7. Turn while skating by slowly moving the front of your feet in the direction you want to go and leaning to the inside. Lift up your outside foot and cross it over your inside foot to get more speed coming out of the turn.
   
   

Tips & Warnings

• Pick a pair of skates in good shape that are about one size smaller than your shoe size. It is important that your skates fit right and feel comfortable otherwise your can hurt your ankles and feet.
• When putting your skates on, loosen the laces just enough that your foot slides in. Then, starting at the bottom and working your way up to the top, pull the laces tight. Tie the laces just like you would tie your shoes.
• Always wear a helmet and other protective gear when you ice skate. Solid ice is just as hard as concrete.

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