How to Do the Basic Edge in Figure Skating

Skating on the edge of your blades allows you to turn on the ice, improves your balance and sets up jumps and turns. You can perform basic edge skating on both the inside and outside blades of either skate.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Outside Edge

1. Stand on the ice with your feet parallel, your knees bent and your back straight.

2. Extend your right arm in front of you and your left arm behind you.

3. Perform a forward stroke with your left foot, using the left inside edge of the blade to push.

4. Lift your left leg and lean your body in toward your right side, keeping the right outside edge of the blade pushed into the ice.

5. Continue leaning right as you glide in a circular motion.

Inside Edge

6. Position yourself on the ice with your feet together, your back straight and your knees bent.

7. Extend your right arm in front of you and your left arm behind you.

8. Stroke forward with your left foot, making sure to use the inside edge of the blade instead of the toe pick.

9. Lift your left foot and lean your body to the left.

10. Lean into the right inside edge of your right skate and glide on the ice in a circular motion.

Tips & Warnings

• Skating on the inside and outside edges of the left skate is done in the same manner as the right skate. Simply switch arm and leg positions and follow the steps in this article.
• Keeping the blades of your skates sharp allows figure skaters to lean deep on the ice and more easily skate on the edges of their blades.

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