How Much Should I Skate?
Skaters, like music students, require regular practice in order to develop skills and muscle memory. In order for a skater to progress and get the most out of their lessons, they really need a practice session for each lesson they take per week. Ideally, this would be spread out over more than one day. So, a skater taking one lesson a week needs to skate two days per week, while a skater taking two weekly lessons needs to skate 4 days per week, etc.
In order to be truly competitive, a skater needs even more practice time. One formula for computing the number of hours a competitive skater needs to practice each week is based on the jumps the skater is working on. Figure out the number of half rotations for each of the 6 jumps the skater does (toe loop, salchow, loop, flip, lutz, and axel/waltz jump). Divide the total number of half rotations by 2, and you have the approximate number of hours you should spend on the ice each week. This works out to one half hour of practice for each half rotation you do.
It is possible to over train. Be sure to take at least one day off each week. It is also possible to enjoy the sport of figure skating on many different levels, from recreational skater to tester to competitor. Check with your coach to make sure you are practicing appropriately to achieve your goals.
Jump Worksheet
__________ Waltz/Axel
__________ Toe Loop
__________ Salchow
__________ Loop
__________ Flip
__________ Lutz
__________ Total
__________ Number of Hours
1. For each type of jump, fill in the number corresponding to the highest level of each jump that you do. If you don’t do a particular jump at all, enter zero.
Enter "1" for: Waltz jump, Half Flip, Half lutz
Enter "2" for: Toe loop, Salchow, Loop, Flip, Lutz
Enter "3" for: Axel
Enter "4" for: Double Toe, Double Sal, Double Loop, Double Flip, Double Lutz
Enter "5" for: Double Axel
Enter "6" for Triple Toe, Triple Sal, Triple Loop, Triple Flip, Triple Lutz
2. Add up all the numbers and enter the total.
3. Divide the total by two. This gives you the number of hours you should ideally be training each week.
Examples:
Waltz jump: 1
Toe loop: 2
Salchow: 2
Loop: 0
1/2 Flip: 1
1/2 Lutz: 1
Total: 7
Number of Hours: 3.5
Axel: 3
Double Toe: 4
Double Sal: 4
Loop: 2
Flip: 2
Lutz: 2
Total: 17
Number of Hours: 8.5
Skaters, like music students, require regular practice in order to develop skills and muscle memory. In order for a skater to progress and get the most out of their lessons, they really need a practice session for each lesson they take per week. Ideally, this would be spread out over more than one day. So, a skater taking one lesson a week needs to skate two days per week, while a skater taking two weekly lessons needs to skate 4 days per week, etc.
In order to be truly competitive, a skater needs even more practice time. One formula for computing the number of hours a competitive skater needs to practice each week is based on the jumps the skater is working on. Figure out the number of half rotations for each of the 6 jumps the skater does (toe loop, salchow, loop, flip, lutz, and axel/waltz jump). Divide the total number of half rotations by 2, and you have the approximate number of hours you should spend on the ice each week. This works out to one half hour of practice for each half rotation you do.
It is possible to over train. Be sure to take at least one day off each week. It is also possible to enjoy the sport of figure skating on many different levels, from recreational skater to tester to competitor. Check with your coach to make sure you are practicing appropriately to achieve your goals.
Jump Worksheet
__________ Waltz/Axel
__________ Toe Loop
__________ Salchow
__________ Loop
__________ Flip
__________ Lutz
__________ Total
__________ Number of Hours
1. For each type of jump, fill in the number corresponding to the highest level of each jump that you do. If you don’t do a particular jump at all, enter zero.
Enter "1" for: Waltz jump, Half Flip, Half lutz
Enter "2" for: Toe loop, Salchow, Loop, Flip, Lutz
Enter "3" for: Axel
Enter "4" for: Double Toe, Double Sal, Double Loop, Double Flip, Double Lutz
Enter "5" for: Double Axel
Enter "6" for Triple Toe, Triple Sal, Triple Loop, Triple Flip, Triple Lutz
2. Add up all the numbers and enter the total.
3. Divide the total by two. This gives you the number of hours you should ideally be training each week.
Examples:
Waltz jump: 1
Toe loop: 2
Salchow: 2
Loop: 0
1/2 Flip: 1
1/2 Lutz: 1
Total: 7
Number of Hours: 3.5
Axel: 3
Double Toe: 4
Double Sal: 4
Loop: 2
Flip: 2
Lutz: 2
Total: 17
Number of Hours: 8.5
