Rockers

BY CAROLE SHULMAN, MFF, MP, SD, MPD, MG, MC, MM

REVIEWED BY DIANE MILLER, MM, MFF

A rocker is similar to a three-turn and, like a three-turn, rotates inside the circle or curve. A rocker does not change edge or feet but does change direction. It also travels from one circle to another. It is similar to a change of edge from one circle to another, but has a turn in the center of the change which faces into the direction of the original circle or curve.

FORWARD INSIDE ROCKERS

Begin on a forward inside edge and end on a backward inside edge. To execute a right forward inside rocker, begin on the right forward inside edge with the left (free) foot over the print either in front or behind the skating foot. The right arm is leading and the left arm is trailing. The head is looking forward to where the rocker will be executed. The weight over the blade is back of center and the skating knee is bent.

The body begins to rotate counter clockwise and into the circle with a slight pressure on the trailing arm, tightening as the turn approaches. The body weight which began back of center now rocks forward to just behind the bottom or master pick of the blade. As the knee straightens, helping the weight to rock forward without going onto the toe pick, the heel of the blade lifts and rotates through the turn, as the direction changes from forward to backward.

There should be no change of edge as the new circle or curve is begun.

As you enter into the apex of the turn the arms begin to rotate against the hips to secure a checked position on the exit. After the turn the balance over the blade is front of center. The left (free) foot assists in the turn by scissoring (a quick action moving the free foot from front to back with the free leg bending at the knee or more subtly placing the free foot back to front) thereby using a leverage action against the skating foot) ending with the free foot over the print and in front of the skating foot. The turn may also be done entering with the free foot behind toe to heel ending with the free foot over the print in front of the skating foot using a similar free foot action. On the exit of the turn the head looks to the new direction of travel.

Left forward inside rockers are technically the same except begin on the left foot with left arm leading and right arm in back.

FORWARD OUTSIDE ROCKERS

Begin on a forward outside edge and end on a backward outside edge. To execute a right forward outside rocker, begin on the right forward outside 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 rocker will be executed. The weight over the blade is back of center and the skating knee is bent. The body begins to rotate clockwise and into the circle with a slight pressure on the trailing arm, tightening as the turn approaches.

The body weight which began back of center now rocks forward to just behind the bottom or master pick of the blade.

As the knee straightens, helping the weight to rock forward without going onto the toe pick, the heel of the blade lifts and rotates through the turn as the direction changes from forward to backward. There should be no change of edge as the new circle or curve is begun. As you enter into the apex of the turn the arms begin to rotate against the hips to secure a checked position on the exit. After the turn the balance over the blade is front of center. The left (free) foot assists in the turn by scissoring (a quick action moving the free foot from front to back with the free leg bending at the knee or more subtly placing the free foot back to front) thereby using a leverage action against the skating foot) ending with the free foot over the print and in front of the skating foot. The turn may also be done with the free foot behind toe to heel or toe to toe prior to the turn, ending with the free foot over the print in front of the skating foot. On the exit of the turn the head looks to the new direction of travel.

Left forward outside rockers are technically the same except begin on the left foot with right arm forward and left arm in back.

BACKWARD INSIDE ROCKERS

Begin on a backward inside edge and end on a forward inside edge. To execute a right backward inside rocker, begin on the right backward inside edge with the left (free) foot toe tucked closely to the heel of the skating foot and over the print. The right arm is leading and the left arm is trailing. The head is looking to where the rocker will be executed. The weight over the blade is front of center and the skating knee is bent. As the turn approaches, the body rotates clockwise and begins to tighten with a slight pressure on the trailing arm.

The torso provides pressure against the arms and the body weight which began front of center going into the turn now rocks to back of center on the blade.

Simultaneously the skating knee straightens, assisting in the lift of the turn as the blade rocks back without going to the heel. This weight (balance over the blade) transfer allows the front of the blade to lift as the direction changes from backward to forward without changing edge, and the new curve begins. The arms rotate against the hips just prior to the apex of the turn as the blade is shifting from back to front securing a checked position on the exit. The left (free) foot assists in the turn by scissoring (lifting the free knee slightly up and back down as the turn is initiated), returning the free foot to the heel of the skating foot and over the print of the circle at the exit of the turn. The head continues to look forward in the direction of travel.

Left backward inside rockers are technically the same except begin on the left foot with right arm forward and left arm in back.

BACK OUTSIDE ROCKERS

Begin on a backward outside edge and end on a forward outside edge. To execute a right backward outside rocker, begin on the right back outside edge. The left (free) foot is tucked closely to the heel of the right (skating) foot and over the print. The left arm is leading and the right arm is trailing. The head is looking to where the rocker will be executed. The weight over the blade is front of center and the skating knee is bent. As the turn approaches, the body rotates counter clockwise and begins to tighten with a slight pressure on the trailing arm. The torso provides pressure against the arms and the body weight which began front of center going into the turn now rocks to back of center on the blade. Simultaneously the skating knee straightens, assisting in the lift of the turn as the blade rocks back without going to the heel.

This weight (balance over the blade) transfer allows the toe of the blade to lift as the direction changes from backward to forward without changing edge and the new curve begins.

The arms rotate against the hips just prior to the apex of the turn as the blade is shifting from back to front securing a checked position on the exit. The left (free) foot assists in the turn by scissoring (lifting the free knee slightly up and back down as the turn is initiated), returning the free foot to the heel of the skating foot and over the print of the circle at the exit of the turn. The head continues to look forward in the direction of travel.

Left backward outside rockers are technically the same except begin on the left foot with right arm forward and left arm in back.

BACKWARD INSIDE ROCKERS

Begin on a backward inside edge and end on a forward inside edge. To execute a right backward inside rocker, begin on the right backward inside edge with the left (free) foot toe tucked closely to the heel of the skating foot and over the print.

The right arm is leading and the left arm is trailing. The head is looking to where the rocker will be executed. The weight over the blade is front of center and the skating knee is bent.

As the turn approaches, the body rotates clock- wise and begins to tighten with a slight pressure on the trailing arm. The torso provides pressure against the arms and the body weight which began front of center going into the turn now rocks to back of center on the blade. Simultaneously the skating knee straightens, assisting in the lift of the turn as the blade rocks back without going to the heel. This weight (balance over the blade) transfer allows the front of the blade to lift as the direction changes from backward to forward without changing edge, and the new curve begins. The arms rotate against the hips just prior to the apex of the turn as the blade is shifting from back to front securing a checked position on the exit. The left (free) foot assists in the turn by scissoring (lifting the free knee slightly up and back down as the turn is initiated), returning the free foot to the heel of the skating foot and over the print of the circle at the exit of the turn. The head continues to look forward in the direction of travel.

Left backward inside rockers are technically the same except begin on the left foot with right arm forward and left arm in back.

BACK OUTSIDE ROCKERS

Begin on a backward outside edge and end on a forward outside edge. To execute a right backward outside rocker, begin on the right back outside edge. The left (free) foot is tucked closely to the heel of the right (skating) foot and over the print. The left arm is leading and the right arm is trailing. The head is looking to where the rocker will be executed. The weight over the blade is front of center and the skating knee is bent. As the turn approaches, the body rotates counter clockwise and begins to tighten with a slight pressure on the trailing arm. The torso provides pressure against the arms and the body weight which began front of center going into the turn now rocks to back of center on the blade. Simultaneously the skating knee straightens, assisting in the lift of the turn as the blade rocks back without going to the heel. This weight (balance over the blade) transfer allows the toe of the blade to lift as the direction changes from backward to forward without changing edge) and the new curve begins.

The arms rotate against the hips just prior to the apex of the turn as the blade is shifting from back to front securing a checked position on the exit.

The left (free) foot assists in the turn by scissoring (lifting the free knee slightly up and back down as the turn is initiated), returning the free foot to the heel of the skating foot and over the print of the circle at the exit of the turn. The head continues to look forward in the direction of travel.

Left backward outside rockers are technically the same except begin on the left foot with right arm forward and left arm in back.

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