So this is for the skater who feel like they are stuck in a rut and are not getting any better
This happens sometimes and you ask your coaches help you pin point the problem and they give you vague answers like agility,strength, awareness. I know this is frustrating but here are some things that help me "plateau-ing"
1. Check your skates-I know we cant all afford fancy new skates (including this girl) but there is some things that will drastically effect your agility and lateral motion.
your trucks-this is the rockstar part of your skates, its what your wheels are attached to. When you start learn to skate, they are really tight and the more comfortable you get on your skates, the more you can loosen them with a skate wrench. *If you have the Powerdyne Revenge plate, make sure they are not too loose(ie jingling), they are designed to "react" on their own and if they are too loose (ie jingling) they make get stuck in a certain position and snap/break due to your weight on they. If you have good plates and bushings, they shouldn't jingle. This helps dramatically with lateral movement.
your bushings/cushions- these are the rubber circle things that are right under the nut when you are loosening your trucks. They are a cheap fix-$16 for a set of 8 and come in different degrees of "hardness" and slightly different shapes(conical or cylindrical). Depending on how "heavy" of a skater you are, I am 6ft and about 160 but I am on conical yellow cushions, they are pretty "hard/85A"
here is a link to Ivanna page for pic http://www.sincityskates.com/2nd/stuff/nuts.html. Your cushions/bushings should be replaced every 4-6months depending on how often you skate.
interior of your skates- the cushioning on the sole of your skates where your feet sit often gets worn out. It is preferable for your feet to "sit into" your skates and for the insole to mold to your feet. Easy fix is getting a cheap insole from Dr Scholls or any brand and cut them to the shape/size of your skate. These are pretty fancy ones-http://www.drscholls.com/drscholls/productSearch.do?method=doProductDetailsLookup&searchArg=54#, but you get the idea. The snugger your feet are in your skate-the more control for have over them-the better you will play
Toestops-Check the height of them, if your have problems with your run-out, maybe make them longer. I am currently a big fan of the gumballs and the new moonwalkers, but any monster big toe stop will make you more comfortable to walk around, and run out on them.
2. How many practices are you going to? If you only "just making league attendance", its your fault. Im sorry but thats the reality, if you are restricted due to other obligations like family and job stuff-Start working at on "dryland-offskates" drills, plyos, squats, core stuff. Put your outdoor wheels on and skate the park with the kids in strollers and on bikes. Even 30 squats a day will dramatically help you.
I love this video (cut and paste this link-http://youtu.be/2YY9oKap0R4) and have modeled my own workouts from it, especially the footwork stuff. Its only 3mins, These gals with Demolition Derby definitely know what they are doing. I do the footwork stuff when Im waiting in a public place like the airport, there are plenty of tiles to jump and hop on.
3. check your stance? Are you falling easily? If so you arent getting low enough, thats where the squats come in handy. YOU NEED THESE LEG AND ASS MUSCLES!!
4. Outdoor skating makes you stronger- its tougher but it makes you better
Any specific questions please email me randimaehym@skatecourt.com , if I dont know the answer I will find it out
Hugs,Slugs&derby Luv
Randi Maehym
