8 minute read
Counters
BY CAROLE SHULMAN MFF, MP, SD, MPD, MG, MC, MM
A counter is identified as being turned outside a circle like a bracket and a rocker is identified as being turned into a circle like a three turn. Like brackets and three-turns, all rockers and counters are skated forward and backward, on outside and inside edges and executed on both the right and the left foot. The quality of the turns may depend upon whether they are used in moves in the field, dance, free skating or figures, however, the technique remains basically the same.
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Counters
A counter turns against the natural rotation of the curve. It does not change edge or feet. It does change direction and travels from one circle or curve to another.
FORWARD INSIDE COUNTERS begin on a forward inside edge and end on a backward inside edge. To execute a right forward inside counter, begin on a right forward inside edge with the left (free) foot in front and over the print. The left arm is leading and the right arm is trailing. The head is looking forward to where the counter will be placed. The weight over the blade is back of center and the skating knee is slightly bent. On the approach to the turn, the body begins to rotate clockwise and tightens as the left arm crosses in front of the body while the right arm counters behind and the torso (or core) provides pressure against the shoulders/arms. As the counter is turned the body weight which began back of center on the blade now presses forward to just behind the master toe pick, while at the same time the free foot may move closer to the skating foot (knee lifts) which helps to rock to the front of the blade without going onto the toe pick. This shift allows the heel of the blade to lift and rotate through the turn without scraping as the direction changes from forward to backward without changing edge. Begin to reverse the body just prior to the turn and at the apex of the turn, as the blade is turning from front to back, the shoulders/arms counter strongly against the hips to initiate a secure checked position on the exit of the turn. The head remains looking in the direction of travel.
It can assist in the turn by scissoring (a quick action moving the free foot from front to back using a leverage action against the skating foot) and ending either in front or behind after the turn or some prefer no free foot action at all. Choose the action that works best for your skater.
Left forward inside counters are technically the same except begin on the left foot with right arm forward and left arm in back.
FORWARD OUTSIDE COUNTERS begin on a forward outside edge and end on a backward outside edge. To execute a right forward outside counter, begin on a right forward outside edge with the left (free) foot in front and over the print. The right arm is leading and the left arm is trailing. The head is looking forward to where the counter will be placed. The weight over the blade is back of center and the skating knee is slightly bent. On the approach to the turn, the body begins to rotate counter clockwise and tightens as the right arm crosses in front of the body while the left arm counters behind and the torso (or core) provides pressure against the shoulders/arms (shoulders against hips).
As the counter is turned the body weight which began back of center on the blade now presses forward to just behind the master toe pick, while at the same time the free foot may move closer to the skating foot (knee lifts) which helps to rock to the front of the blade without going onto the toe pick.
Begin to reverse the body just prior to the turn and at the apex of the turn, as the blade is turning from front to back, the arms counter strongly against the hips to initiate a checked position on the exit of the turn. The head remains looking in the direction of travel. The balance over the blade is now front of center and the right arm leads over the print while the left arm trails. Like the inside counter, the left (free) foot action is optional. It can assist in the turn by scissoring (a quick action moving the free foot from front to back using a leverage action against the skating foot) and ending either in front or behind after the turn or some prefer no free foot action at all. Choose the action that works best for your skater.
Left forward outside counters are technically the same except begin on the left foot with left arm forward and right arm back.
BACKWARD INSIDE COUNTERS begin on a backward inside edge and end on a forward inside edge. To execute a right backward inside counter, begin on a right back inside edge with the left (free) foot in back and over the print. The left arm is leading and the right arm is trailing. The head is looking toward where the counter will be placed. The weight over the blade is forward of center and the skating knee is slightly bent. On the approach to the turn, the body begins to rotate counter clockwise and tightens as the left arm crosses in front of the body while the right arm counters behind and the torso (or core) provides pressure against the arms.
The knee simultaneously straightens to assist the weight in rocking to the back of the blade. Begin to reverse the body just prior to the turn and at the apex of the turn, as the blade is turning from back to front, the arms counter strongly against the hips to initiate a secure checked position on the exit of the turn. The balance on the blade is now back of center and the left arm is leading over the print while the right arm is trailing. The left (free) foot action is optional. It can assist in the turn by lifting the knee up slightly and then scissoring (a quick action moving the free foot from back to front using a leverage action against the skating foot) and ending either in front or behind after the turn or some prefer no free foot action at all. Choose the action that works best for your skater.
Left backward inside counters are technically the same except begin on the left foot with right arm leading and left arm is trailing.
BACKWARD OUTSIDE COUNTERS begin on a forward outside edge and end on a forward outside edge.
To execute a right backward outside counter, begin on a right back outside edge with the left (free) foot in back and over the print. The right arm is leading and the left arm is trailing. The head is looking toward where the counter will be placed. The weight over the blade is forward of center and the skating knee is slightly bent. On the approach to the turn, the body begins to rotate clockwise and tightens as the right arm crosses in front of the body while the left arm counters behind and the torso (or core) provides pressure against the arms.
The knee simultaneously straightens to assist the weight in rocking to the back of the blade. Begin to reverse the body just prior to the turn and at the apex of the turn, as the blade is turning from back to front, the arms counter strongly against the hips to initiate a secure checked position on the exit of the turn with the right arm leading and the left arm trailing. The left (free) foot action is optional. It can assist in the turn by lifting the knee up slightly and then scissoring (a quick action moving the free foot from back to front using a leverage action against the skating foot) (and) ending (either in front or) behind after the turn or some prefer no free foot action at all. Choose the action that works best for your skater.
Left backward outside counters are technically the same except begin on the left foot with left arm leading and right arm is trailing.
EXERCISES
1. Practice the turn on two feet and then on one foot.
2. Using a hockey line begin on the appropriate edge (inside or outside) on one side of the line, place the turn on the line and exit on the other side to create a visual.
3. Stand close and hold on to the rink boards, execute the turn action and push away from the boards as you exit from the turn.
4. Place a three-turn, full circle, pivot or loop after the counter to help secure the outgoing position.
5. Practice power pulls prior to the turn to feel the counter rotation action of the hips and shoulders.
Carole Shulman is the former PSA Executive Director, master rated in seven disciplines, and Level IV ranked.
Carole Shulman
