The Sixth Block: TIMING

Timing is the constant rhythm patters of the body’s action and reaction. It is a defined sequence of movement which is to induce the most consistent and effective results, and must always be done with exact synchronization.

I have placed timing within the foundation line, with the blocks, turns and loops, for without timing, these action have flaws. Timing is a very overused word, We often say, “Well, your timing’s off”, and the poor kid, if he doesn’t know what you are talking about, has no understanding. You must establish exactly what you mean by “timing”. Lets take, for an example, three-turn timing. The first thing I said in teaching a figure and remembering position – 1. it’s a rote memory system, 2. I take it off the circle as exercises. Lets take figure 7 – the outside forward three-turn: the first thing I explain to the skater is the term “torque” which means to produce rotation.  They you introduce the term “torsion” which means the twisting or turning of the body by lateral force, tending to turn one end or part of it, about a longitudinal axis, while the other end is held fast or turned in the opposite direction. Now you use these terms to explain how to do the ROF three-turn and in this way:  you first establish that the hips are held square, with the left leg held open (in the opposite direction of the edge). Your shoulders are rotated so that they are across your tracing. Some teachers only have their student rotate 45 degrees to initiate rotation. This creates tension in the employed right side all the way from the head thru the hips. This tension is released by turning the hips until they are square, and you are on a RIB edge. You can compare it to a rifleman who squeezes the trigger (rotation of the shoulders) and the pulls the trigger (turns the employed hip). In this way you introduce the student to the tow steps crucial to good turns:

1. Rotation of the shoulders and,
2. Turning the hips so that they catch up to the shoulders.

Now at this time you can explain to them the method of rotation on the four three-turns:

1. OF three-turn: Rotate employed shoulder out of the way and turn
2. IB three-turn: Rotate employed shoulder out of the way and turn
3. IF three-turn: Rotate the free shoulder back and bring employed side thru.

The skater will soon see why the IF and OB threes are easier.

The next thing you use in the timing of turns is simply three words: FIRM, RELAX, FIRM. First, when you are riding, you are FIRM; then when you rotate, you RELAX so that your foot will turn and you can release pressure; and lastly, you are FIRM lifted over your skate.