SKATE TIP OF THE WEEK
Inline secrets from the world's top skaters and coaches

This week's tip:

Put Some Power in Your Push
For skaters, technique is the key to speed

By Randy Plett
Aug. 1, 2008

I often come across skaters who seem unable to generate any real speed no matter how hard they try. They work to build their strength, hoping it will make them faster, only to find they still can't keep up with the pack.

The problem these skaters usually share is faulty technique. It's not that they are weak or lacking in endurance; they simply haven't learned to skate efficiently.

Typically, they are toe-pushers. Instead of pushing straight out to the side, they allow their skates to drift behind them when they stroke. When they do this, their back wheels lift off the skating surface and their push loses its power.

Toe-pushing is one of the typical bad habits of self-taught skaters, and it's the reason technically correct skaters leave toe-pushers in the dust on downhills.

Fortunately, toe-pushing is easily banished with mindful practice.

Here's what to keep in mind:

1. Imagine that you are directing the energy of your push into the road rather than out to the side.
2. Move your body across the line of travel and bring your free leg under your body to start the glide phase. (Don't forget to drive your foot through for more speed.)
3. Imagine you are pushing straight out to the side (at a 90-degree angle to the direction of travel.)
4. To prevent your skate from drifting back, push your foot down and forward, making a slight carving action with your weight on your heel. In this way, your foot should be parallel to the direction of travel at the end of your push.

Practice, practice, practice. And if you get a chance, skate with a pro. That way you will get to see a proper push in action and learn by imitation.

Once you overcome toe-pushing, your skating will be transformed.

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Randy Plett is one of the top pro veteran skaters in North America. He started inline skating in 1994 and has been a member of the Bont North America team for five years. He also skates short- and long-track ice, which, he says, are great for cross-training and also help him refine his technique. He lives in Winnipeg with his wife and three children. He owns Winnipeg's Red River Speed skate shop and works part-time as an oncology nurse.

• Red River Speed
• Bont Skates

Related reading:

• Skate Tip of the Week Archive
• Beginners Guide to Outdoor Racing
• Beginners Guide to Inline Skating