Ice Skating: Steps to Success / Edition 1

by Karin Kunzle-Watson, Stephen J. DeArmond

Overview

Now there's a masterfully written guide that shows beginning and recreational skaters the fundamental skills of ice skating.

In Ice Skating: Steps to Success, Karin Künzle-Watson—nine-time Swiss National Champion, former Professional World Champion, and one of skating's best instructors—shares with readers the steps that she and many of her students learned on their way to becoming elite competitive skaters.

Most instruction books available on ice skating tend to focus on advanced jumps or spins, assuming the reader will learn the basics through professional instruction. Ice Skating: Steps to Success, however, covers fundamental skills in a way that's easy to understand and apply.

Part of the highly popular Steps to Success Series, this book includes 11 steps (chapters) that progress from basic to intermediate skills. It features over 300 illustrations that make it possible to learn proper form and technique. Readers will learn how to:

- attain the posture and control required for basic skills;
- use standard methods of gaining forward and backward speed;
- execute four different methods of stopping;
- fall properly and get up easily;
- change direction without loss of control; and
- control the skate edges in order to prepare for advanced maneuvers, including jumps, spins, and footwork.

With Ice Skating: Steps to Success, beginning and recreational skaters will develop a solid foundation of skills to help them gain confidence in their abilities and enjoy the sport more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780873226691
Publisher:	Human Kinetics Publishers
Publication date:	08/17/1995
Series:	STS (Steps to Success Activity
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Karin Künzle-Watson, one of the world's most prominent ice skating instructors, began her amateur and professional skating career at the age of 6. A former champion at the novice and junior levels, Karin earned seven Swiss national senior titles during her career. She has also placed in many international competitions, including seven European championships, five World championships, and one Olympic appearance. She is one of the few people in the world to have passed Gold Tests (qualifying tests for competition at the highest levels) in all areas of skating—singles, pairs, and dance.

Karin is also an accomplished instructor, having been School Director and Head Professional at the Skating School of St. Gervais and Megève (France) and School Director of the Skating School of San Mateo (U.S.). She presently travels internationally to attend her students' competitions, to teach, and to conduct skating and coaching seminars. Her students consistently rank highly in national and international competitions.

Stephen J. DeArmond, MD, PhD, began ice skating at the age of 47 because he wanted a high-energy, low-impact exercise that was enjoyable enough to do several times weekly. Karin Künzle-Watson's approach to basics helped him to become an accomplished recreational skater. Stephen helped Karin organize her lessons into five basic principles—the foundation of this book—and directed the illustration and photography.

Stephen is a Professor of Neuropathology and Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, with special research interests in the effects of aging on the central nervous system and skeletal muscle. In this book, DeArmond shares insights on the health benefits of ice skating, especially to improve both strength and coordination, as well as information on the causes and prevention of injuries.

Stephen is the author and illustrator of Structure of the Human Brain, a best-selling textbook of neuroanatomy.

Table of Contents

The Steps to Success Staircase

The Sport of Ice Skating
- Etiquette
- Evolution of the Ice Skate
- The Myth of Weak Ankles
- Falling and Getting Up
- Warm-Up and Cool-Down

Ice Skating Equipment
- Ice Skates and Their Care
- Protective Gear

Step 1. Proper Skating Posture: Developing Balance
Step 2. Push and Glide: Moving Ahead
Step 3. Forward Stops: Slowing Down
Step 4. Forward Skating and Stopping: Gaining Confidence
Step 5. Backward Skating and Stopping: Doubling Your Options
Step 6. Forward Stroking: Pushing for Power
Step 7. Forward Crossovers: Stroking on a Curve
Step 8. Two-Foot Turns and Mohawks: Controlling Rotation
Step 9. Backward Crossovers: Gaining Speed on a Curve
Step 10. Swingrolls and Advanced Edges: Improving Edge Control
Step 11. Three-Turns: Changing Direction and Edges

Style and Efficiency: Rating Your Skating Progress

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"With the help of Karin Künzle-Watson and Stephen J. DeArmond, thousands of people who never skated before can now find their way in this beautiful, though technically difficult, sport. Read it and try it, have fun, get your body physically involved and your mind mentally working. Have this book with you on every practice."
Tamara Moskvina, PhD
Olympic figure skating coach

"This book has a lot to offer someone who wants to learn the basics of ice skating."
Brian Boitano
Five-time Professional World Champion, Two-time World Champion, Gold Medalist, 1988 Olympics

Brian Boitano

This book has a lot to offer someone who wants to learn the basics of ice skating.

Editorial Reviews

"With the help of Karin Künzle-Watson and Stephen J. DeArmond, thousands of people who never skated before can now find their way in this beautiful, though technically difficult, sport. Read it and try it, have fun, get your body physically involved and your mind mentally working. Have this book with you on every practice."
Tamara Moskvina, PhD
Olympic figure skating coach

"This book has a lot to offer someone who wants to learn the basics of ice skating."
Brian Boitano
Five-time Professional World Champion, Two-time World Champion, Gold Medalist, 1988 Olympics

From the Publisher