Skating stride basics: push and glide

Setup

1. One third of the ice used across its width, start line along one set of boards.
2. Cones down both sides mark three zones: push, glide, push again.
3. Lanes about three stick lengths wide; one skater per lane at a time, the next waiting on the boards.
4. Full equipment for everyone, full face cage and neck guard included. Stick held in two hands, or one hand for the youngest.

How it runs

1. Push zone: three strong pushes. Each push goes out to the side and slightly back, finishing with the leg straight, then the foot comes back under the hips.
2. Glide zone: feet together under the body, knees bent, glide on two flat skates to the next cones.
3. Second push zone: three more pushes to the far boards, then a stop (or a gentle turn and touch the boards for skaters who can't stop yet).
4. Rest on the far side while the next wave goes, then come back the same way.
5. Progress to a one-foot glide in the glide zone: hold it, put the foot down, then switch feet next time.
6. Six to eight crossings with a drink after every three.

Coaching points

• Push to the side with the inside edge, not back with the toe.
• Finish the push: leg straight, then bring the foot all the way back under you.
• Stay low: knees bent over the toes the whole way across.
• Arms and stick move forward and back, not swinging side to side.
• Eyes up on the far boards, not on the skates.

Common mistakes

• Toe-picking: running on the front of the blade instead of pushing with the edge.
• Short, choppy pushes that never reach full extension.
• Standing up tall in the glide, which makes the skater wobble.
• Feet wide apart in the glide instead of under the hips.