09/07 Camera Fun: Scootie12's Practice Thread

[KwanBoy23]

Yur still flutzing!!!!

Flip was looking good. The lift is so there. The position on the camel and flying camel are good except on your back camel you need to get that toe to not point down so obviously. Forward camel was good though. Toe looked lined up with the body. Spins seem to be getting better and the axel is looking great!

When I get the money I am SO gonna get my lard butt back on the ice.

[MKPerfect6.0]

Looks good Scootie. You have progressed so fast.
You have a clean, polished quality. Really nice.

[scootie12]

Very nice jumps. Your coach seems very supportive and nice. That's a great foundation. Good luck with the competitions you are competing in We believe!!!!

Thanks! My coach is great and we work well together. I think it also helps that I'm older now and already know what I need to do. She is just there to help me fix my positions and tell me what I'm doing wrong. That's helpful since we don't have to spend so much time going over HOW to do something, but rather how I can perfect what I am relearning.

I think you did an amazing job with your practice. I think you did pretty good with your spins. Your body line improved the more you practiced the spins throughout the video. Your jumps also improved. Thanks for sharing your practice and I wish you the best with your competitions!

Thanks The spins are definitely an area for me to work on. I really need to focus on the back and forward sit spin positions to get them the way I want them to look. The back sit you saw in the vid was probably the fist one I've ever done in years. lol. Hopefully I will have the stuff polished up in a few weeks.

Yur still flutzing!!!!

Flip was looking good. The lift is so there. The position on the camel and flying camel are good except on your back camel you need to get that toe to not point down so obviously. Forward camel was good though. Toe looked lined up with the body. Spins seem to be getting better and the axel is looking great!

When I get the money I am SO gonna get my lard butt back on the ice.

lol, I knew you'd call out the flutz, but I'm working on it. Seems right now I either do a quick change on the edge or my blade flattens out into the jump. My coach and I have been looking at tracings in the ice, but she said she doesn't think I have too much of an issue changing edge. I just need to spend more time working on it I've been a bit lazy the past month on practice.


I did squeak out a double loop/double loop though hahaha.....and I'm now doing axel/double loops too

Looks good Scootie. You have progressed so fast.
You have a clean, polished quality. Really nice.

Thanks!! Still working on everything. I have so many little things to fix up now.



All in all, everything is feeling a little better each week, and I definitely feel more confident in my overall skating. Assuming how everything looks/feels in the next few weeks, I might start back on the double axel. However, I don't want my focus to be on the jumps, so my goals will be to get decent flying spins back....to perfect my flying camel and to have a nice, big death drop back (with a nice back sit position, of course ).

[debbwin]

Hi, Mike...sorry it's been awhile since I've been back to your thread....your flip looks better....and way to go on double loop combo....I only saw one salchow tho. I love your salchow....I think your edge jumps are your best jumps. One thing I have to say tho, is your posture is fantastic, especially your upper body...when I was watching you, I was thinking that Rachael Flatt should hire you to teach her good upper body posture...youse got it, baby, and she don't. Keep up your skating....I musta missed the part about you trying to go to Adult comps....awesome. way. to. go.

[scootie12]

Hi everyone....sorry for lack of updates, but I just haven't been on much. Been lurking around the forum more than posting these past few weeks

Skating is going fine, and my only real complaint right now is my boots are still not feeling great, especially my right one, so I finally caved in and ordered a new pair of skates. I've skated in SP Teri boots my entire life, so I ordered a pair of the KT-2 boots, which should be a good fit for me. The only thing I really dislike on the newer SP Teri boots are the support tabs on the KT-2 and KT-3 boots...I think it's a little ugly, but I guess I'll figure out what to do once I get them

Here's a picture of what the boots look like:
KT-2: http://www.spteri.com/KT2_image2.htm
KT-3: http://www.spteri.com/KT3_image.htm

Ironically, it looks like the KT-2 tab is internal, which doesn't seem so bad.

I'm also going to invest in some new blades. I currently have MK Gold Star blades, and will most likely purchase a pair of the John Wilson Gold Seal blades, which have a pretty big rocker on them. It'll be interesting to see how my spins will benefit from the bigger curve in the blade, but I have a feeling my jumps will take a little while getting used to the dimensions of the blade...I remember the Gold Star blades taking a little time to get used to when I first started using them.

I have to say that skating technology has changed a great deal in the 8 years I was off the ice. I have never seen so many choices of blades and all of the new technology with parabolic blades, K-pick blades, aerospace materials, etc. There are even companies that make very crazy looking blade designs!! I'm a traditionalist though and prefer the standard look.

Check out all of the choices on these sites...I can see how someone just starting skating would be confused by what to purchase:
MK Blades
John Wilson Blades
Ultima Blades (notice the crazy designs)
Paramount Blades - some crazy colors



PS - buying new skates is expensive...Looks like after everything is purchased, I will have set myself back about $1500

Hi, Mike...sorry it's been awhile since I've been back to your thread....your flip looks better....and way to go on double loop combo....I only saw one salchow tho. I love your salchow....I think your edge jumps are your best jumps.

Thanks!! My coach has been telling me I get so much air time on the flip that I should just throw on one extra turn to make it a triple That usually is the case though, as I typically feel like I have so much time to rotate the double that I can get thrown off on the landing, which is why I've been trying so different techniques to keep my body square. I just seem to get really good lift into that jump.

I love the edge jumps too, but also enjoy the flip and lutz. Right now, though, the lutz and sometimes the flip are a bit painful to perform due to some ongoing issues with my right boot. I do only a handful at each practice.

One thing I have to say tho, is your posture is fantastic, especially your upper body...when I was watching you, I was thinking that Rachael Flatt should hire you to teach her good upper body posture...youse got it, baby, and she don't.

Thanks for the compliment! I've been told my entire skating life that I have great posture. I still think I have room to improve, but I always get the comment about my back being very straight. Since I started skating I've always been very conscious about my posture because better posture keeps you balanced, and even helps save jumps that are off-balance



Anyway, hopefully new video update soon

[Deetlebug]

Hi Mike!

Good to hear you're continuing to make good progress. Even with only 1 day a week of skating, I can say that I'm at least progressing forward rather than backward, but it is at a glacial pace. LOL.

I wanted to thank you for the detailed information about blades. I'm in need of new blades (thanks to poor sharpening which has ruined the rocker). I've only had MK Goldstar blades, which I've always been happy with. My question is, what made you decide to move to the John Wilson blades?

deetles

[scootie12]

Hi Mike!

Good to hear you're continuing to make good progress. Even with only 1 day a week of skating, I can say that I'm at least progressing forward rather than backward, but it is at a glacial pace. LOL.

I wanted to thank you for the detailed information about blades. I'm in need of new blades (thanks to poor sharpening which has ruined the rocker). I've only had MK Goldstar blades, which I've always been happy with. My question is, what made you decide to move to the John Wilson blades?

deetles

Hey, any pace is good pace, right? I've only been skating 1 day per week too, but I will up the training time once I decide on the competitions.

To answer your question, the only reason I would move over to John Wilson blades is because MK does not make a Gold Seal blade. I might very well purchase another Gold Star blade, or even buy another blade that would work for my skating, but I've wanted to buy Gold Seal for a while. The rocker is bigger and I think my jumps, edges, and spins will ultimately benefit from a top-of-the-line blade. Plus, now that I'm working my way back into triple jumps, I think it'll be good for me to have the best type of blade out there.

I just started working on double axels last Saturday. I popped a ton of them until FINALLY getting comfortable enough to fully rotate the jump. The only one I committed to I fell on, but hey, after not doing them for 8 years, I shouldn't expect to land them or do them perfectly for a little while. I was actually intimidated by trying them again because it's easy to take a nasty fall, but like anything, once I get comfortable doing them, I'm confident I can get it back. I was telling my coach last Saturday how just a few months ago attempting an AXEL jump felt so odd to me, and it took me weeks to get comfortable with it....how quickly I moved on from that in a few short months.

Anyway, once I get a good video of the double axel, I will post

I've also been focusing a lot on my spins, and have been perfecting the death drop, which has come back easily. I really hope to get a video update sometime soon!

[Deetlebug]

Hey, any pace is good pace, right?

I absolutely agree. As I say to my coach, progress forward is still forward, even if its slow. Fortunately, she's a doll with adult skaters, so that's a huge help.

To answer your question, the only reason I would move over to John Wilson blades is because MK does not make a Gold Seal blade. I might very well purchase another Gold Star blade, or even buy another blade that would work for my skating, but I've wanted to buy Gold Seal for a while. The rocker is bigger and I think my jumps, edges, and spins will ultimately benefit from a top-of-the-line blade. Plus, now that I'm working my way back into triple jumps, I think it'll be good for me to have the best type of blade out there.

Thank you Mike for your answer. I'd heard a while back that the Gold Stars I have aren't made any more, so I know I'll be looking at something different. I know I'm only learning single jumps and don't need a super stellar blade, but I love edge work and figure since I'm an adult whose foot is no longer growing its worth it to 'buy up' if you know what I mean. I remember a few years ago when I purchased a slightly higher quality bow for my violin what a HUGE difference it made immediately in the quality of my play.

I just started working on double axels last Saturday. I popped a ton of them until FINALLY getting comfortable enough to fully rotate the jump. The only one I committed to I fell on, but hey, after not doing them for 8 years, I shouldn't expect to land them or do them perfectly for a little while. I was actually intimidated by trying them again because it's easy to take a nasty fall, but like anything, once I get comfortable doing them, I'm confident I can get it back. I was telling my coach last Saturday how just a few months ago attempting an AXEL jump felt so odd to me, and it took me weeks to get comfortable with it....how quickly I moved on from that in a few short months.

Isn't that the truth? Its amazing how quickly you can get comfortable with something again even if you haven't done it in a while. Congratulations on your attempts! I know you'll nail it soon.

Anyway, once I get a good video of the double axel, I will post

I've also been focusing a lot on my spins, and have been perfecting the death drop, which has come back easily. I really hope to get a video update sometime soon!

I can't wait to see those!!

[IceSkate98]

Anyway, once I get a good video of the double axel, I will post

I've also been focusing a lot on my spins, and have been perfecting the death drop, which has come back easily. I really hope to get a video update sometime soon!

Michael, I'm looking forward to seeing the video when you make it and I'm so proud of you!

[scootie12]

Hi all,

Kinda lame video because there's really nothing new here, but my right ankle has been a little swollen and I've been pretty restricted on what I'm allowed to do right now. I might take a little time off from practicing to let my ankle recover. Part of it has to do with the boots I'm currently using, and I think part of it has to do with the positioning of my body on jump landings, which, in some cases, has caused me to shift my weight to my inside right ankle (where I have the problem). I noticed the other day when I did a double flip, my ankle kinda rolled on the landing, so I knew something was up when that happened.

Anyway, new boots are on the way, and I guess the joy of breaking in skates I'm hoping the boots will help correct some of the pain I've been experiencing with the other boots for the past month or so.

Here's a quick video I made, but it's more for my sports doctor to examine my body positioning on jump landings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMbdWVaoDuk

I hope to get double axels posted soon, but I didn't practice last week due to my ankle pain. I mostly did edge jumps and practice a lot of double loop/double loops, dbl salchow/double loops, and axel/double loop combos. They're coming along well.

[IceSkate98]

Thanks for sharing the latest video, and that's awesome about the axel/double loop combos! I hope your ankle is better soon. I'm also glad you have new boots on the way!

[gratefulmkfan]

Hey Mike - It seems like just last week that you had your boots rebuilt, and now you're buying new boots and blades. Time flies - and so do you - every so nicely - on the ice. Still loving your edges and posture, and I can see the jumping progress. I hope your ankle feels better soon. I don't know what your doctor is going to say after seeing your video. Your body mechanics are excellent, but I guess a smidgen can make a difference, and an expert can tell.

Hey, I'm a Grandma to a beautiful, new, baby girl now.

Happy holidays.

[scootie12]

I still can't believe it has been six months since I stepped back onto the ice! Time is certainly flying.

Anyway, I'm mustering up some energy to reply today. I think maybe this will be a blessing in disguse as I believe I currently have the flu, or at least a mild case of it. Just have a sore throat, and really bad body chills followed by my body getting super warm. It's like my body temperature is all over the place, which has been very annoying. I made the mistake of going to a work dinner last night (which I basically *had* to do) when I wanted to stay home and rest, and I think I made things worse by doing that. Anyway, I say this might be a blessing in disguise since I really have no choice but to stay home and sleep. I won't be tempted to skate even though my ankle is feeling much better. I'm just hoping by Saturday or Sunday I'm feeling much better. I rarely get sick like this and it has really knocked me out quite a bit.

The new boots are here and ready for pickup. I'm going to try to skate one last time in my current skates and then take care of my skate fitting after Christmas. I'm interested to see how well the heat molding will ease the break-in process of the boots since I've never had it done before....basically the boots are heated up to soften the leather and then I'll tie them on tightly so the leather can mold to my ankles. Lets hope it works well

gratefulmkfan....I saw your announcement in random chat. Congratulations and I'm sure you are *so* happy to be a grandmother now!! I'm sure this will make your holiday season extra special


Alright, have a few things to finish up and then back to sleep for me. I hate being sick

[IceSkate98]

Awwww, Michael. I'm so sorry that you've been ill. I'll be praying for you and I hope you're better soon.

[scootie12]

Happy New Year! Time for another update.

I finally got my new skates the other day, and I must say I am very shocked to find out how comfortable they are. I must have been out of the loop since I last purchased skates because technology has come a long way since 2002.


Here's a pic of the skates:



Just a little bit of background: As I'm sure each of you know, my other skates were extremely stiff boots that were causing problems on my landing foot. I had a pair of SP Teri boots that were the stiffest pair you could purchase. So when I ordered my new KT-2 boots, I figured since they are the second to stiffest pair you can buy that I would have to endure a painful break-in period. It has been this way my entire life, so that's what I figured.

Not the case....

I bought some heat-moldable boots that literally feel like I'm wearing very comfortable & padded running shoes. NO PAIN and NO STIFFNESS. I was in so much shock trying them on that I even asked the skate shop guy about 5 times whether or not these were the correct skates. My whole life I've had to break in skates (usually painful), and these ones are perfect. I still can't get over how comfortable they are. I guess I can't complain, right?

So the only thing that has given me trouble (which I knew) are the new blades. I decided to purchase Pattern 99 blades, which basically the same as the Gold Seal blades, but about $150 less and a different toe-pick. What is giving me trouble is the rocker since the rocker on Pattern 99 is larger than Gold Star. What this means is the blade as a much larger curve to it, and it's a bit more difficult to find the correct balancing point on spins and jumps. The advantage to the larger rocker is ultimately better spins and edges, but it'll definitely take getting used to. It felt very weird for me skating since I could really feel the curve of the blade.


Anyway, enjoy the quick update video from my session on 12/31.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldjg6HwHcDE


I am hoping to post a FULL practice update soon with all jumps, spins, etc.

[donnylutz]

Congrats on the new skates! I love getting new skates!...though yes, I dread it because of breaking them in.

However, I got my last new pair of skates about 8 months ago, Riedell LS 2010's...and I too was in SHOCK when I tried them on, as they were extremely comfortable! I never really had to break them in....they've just been wonderful! Maybe boot techonology has finally gotten a bit better!

I had problems with my new blades too.....going from gold seal to phantom's parabolic....why the parabolic?...I'm still not sure! I had the k-pick on the gold seal's...so I figured I'd try the other "special" thing..... It took me a good month or two to really feel comfortable on the spins...now my spins are better then they have ever been.

Again, congrats on the new skates! And keep us updated! It's fun to hear/see your progress!

Donnylutz

[synnabun]

Those boots are gorgeous! Your progress has really been inspiring. I love watching your videos (at least when I can get to my sister's apartment to take advantage of her connection).

I've only been on the ice maybe a dozen times since losing my job in July. I'm going out of my mind! I've been pondering new boots myself. I love my current SP Teri's, but they're old and just a bit too tight (I bought a half size down and shouldn't have!) I think I'll stay with my same model (Super Teri) and get a wool tongue. I hate that spongy stuff that comes stock with their boots. I like that the center hook is standard now. I'm not sure if I want the flex-v-notch, but if is standard I won't mind it. My current game plan has me doing two free skate tests and at least two moves in the field tests by the end of the year. I just have to get a job first!

Happy New Year, Michael! I'm really looking forward to making some progress myself and seeing where you go! I'm sure that Senior FS test isn't too horribly far away for you!

[scootie12]

Wow for me....2 video updates in one week haha. Well, this isn't really anything special. It's just a quick video of spins from my Saturday practice. It's still difficult getting used to the rocker on the blade, but I hope the spins come back soon. I also noticed on my axel/double loop combination that it's harder getting the double loop in because of the new blades.

Yesterday's practice was just decent. I only worked on jumps up through the double flip, and then spent a decent amount of time on spins.

I hope to work on the double axel in a week or so, and also work back to a consistent double flip and lutz. The flip and lutz aren't difficult, but I had to really scale back on them due to the ankle injury, which is much, much better now.

Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ4uMgzvl1k

However, I got my last new pair of skates about 8 months ago, Riedell LS 2010's...and I too was in SHOCK when I tried them on, as they were extremely comfortable! I never really had to break them in....they've just been wonderful! Maybe boot techonology has finally gotten a bit better!

Good to know. I'm hoping that due to the comfort of the boots, and basically no break-in period, that they will not break down very fast.

I had problems with my new blades too.....going from gold seal to phantom's parabolic....why the parabolic?...I'm still not sure! I had the k-pick on the gold seal's...so I figured I'd try the other "special" thing..... It took me a good month or two to really feel comfortable on the spins...now my spins are better then they have ever been.

The parabolic blades are a bit concave towards the center of the blade. They're supposed to provide better edge control over standard blades, but since I've never used them, I cannot answer that haha[/QUOTE]

Those boots are gorgeous! Your progress has really been inspiring. I love watching your videos (at least when I can get to my sister's apartment to take advantage of her connection).

I've only been on the ice maybe a dozen times since losing my job in July. I'm going out of my mind! I've been pondering new boots myself. I love my current SP Teri's, but they're old and just a bit too tight (I bought a half size down and shouldn't have!) I think I'll stay with my same model (Super Teri) and get a wool tongue. I hate that spongy stuff that comes stock with their boots. I like that the center hook is standard now. I'm not sure if I want the flex-v-notch, but if is standard I won't mind it. My current game plan has me doing two free skate tests and at least two moves in the field tests by the end of the year. I just have to get a job first!

Happy New Year, Michael! I'm really looking forward to making some progress myself and seeing where you go! I'm sure that Senior FS test isn't too horribly far away for you!

Many thanks, and happy New Year to you too! I'm still testing out the features of the new boots, and I like everything so far. Oh, and I don't really care for the sponge material in the boots, but it does hold your foot better than the wool, but the wool is nice. There are also sponge/wool combos you can get.

Good luck with getting a job and skating. I'm sure you'll find a way to make it all work out.

Off to lunch with the family now...For being winter, it's a 70+ degree day here in So Cal. Nice weather, but I hope it gets cold again. We need some seasonality here even though I am enjoying the current weather. Not too hot and not too cold

[kittyjake5]

The skates are beautiful looking. Thanks for the videos. Loved your flying camel and death drop.

[IceSkate98]

I love the new boots, Michael ... sweet! Your jumps looked a lot smoother and you looked more self-assured by the end of the 12/31 session. Also, nice job on the death drops and flying camels in the second video! I'm glad your ankle is better.

Thanks for sharing the videos!

[debbwin]

Hi, Michael. And a Happy New Year to you too. I love watching your videos especially this dark, bleak, cold winter here in the Northeast. Great looking boots. You'll get used to them quickly I can see after using muscles you prolly never thought you had lol! Anyway, that's what it felt like to me when I changed boots centuries ago. Keep up the good work. It's inspiring to alot of us here at the Forum. I know for me, it's been a tough winter for my husband and me financially, so coming here really lifts my spirits. Thanks!

[scootie12]

I must be on a roll. Another video update Courtesy of my dad this time for braving the cold rink (and on my birthday too, which was a nice).

I'm still trying to get used to the skates, and I can really tell a difference in my skating even though I've been limiting myself to easier double jumps and spins. I plan on working more on the flip and lutz this weekend, and then start work on combination spins, and also just trying to make my presentation/body line look better.

The blades are still annoying me a bit, but when I get them permanently mounted next week I am going to have the rocker sharpened down a bit so it's not so curvy. It's causing me to rock around (good one haha) too much on the blade when I enter spins.

Anyway, here's the latest and greatest vid. You'll finally see me doing a double-toe loop too. When I used to compete I HATED the jump, and always had a hard time with it even when I could do a triple loop...go figure. Anyway, my coach has taught me a much better technique for the jump, and I hope that as I start practicing it, I will increase the speed and flow.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0PtyzGqgQc

The skates are beautiful looking. Thanks for the videos. Loved your flying camel and death drop.

Thanks!!

I love the new boots, Michael ... sweet! Your jumps looked a lot smoother and you looked more self-assured by the end of the 12/31 session. Also, nice job on the death drops and flying camels in the second video! I'm glad your ankle is better.

Thanks for sharing the videos!

Thanks The jumps feel better, and the spins need a lot of work getting used to. We'll see how the next few weeks go.

Hi, Michael. And a Happy New Year to you too. I love watching your videos especially this dark, bleak, cold winter here in the Northeast. Great looking boots. You'll get used to them quickly I can see after using muscles you prolly never thought you had lol! Anyway, that's what it felt like to me when I changed boots centuries ago. Keep up the good work. It's inspiring to alot of us here at the Forum. I know for me, it's been a tough winter for my husband and me financially, so coming here really lifts my spirits. Thanks!

Thanks so much! I was telling my parents at dinner last night how I am inspired too by support and constructive criticism from the people I share the videos with. It kinda gives me an incentive to want to improve a lot, so it really goes both ways, and I'm certainly glad (and also surprised) that so many people here and outside the forum have been *so* supportive. I think it really helps any athlete keep going even when it's tough.

I also hope the financial situation get better. 2009 was definitely a tough year for many, and I really hope 2010 will bring you into a more favorable situation

[IceSkate98]

Good job with the double-toe loop and axels in this latest video. You're also getting more consistent with the spins and death drops. Nice!

[scootie12]

Thanks! Today was a bit annoying because I was working on the double toe and fell, and in the process my left skate jabbed my right skate RIGHT on my ankle and made a slight hole in my boot (kinda hurt for a minute too)....LOL, barely even a week in the new boots and I already ruin them

Anyway, here's yet another practice update video with my axel/double loop combination, which I plan to do in competition. Also have a few other jumps, including the double flips, and a few spins...not the best, but just an update nonetheless. The spins seem to feel a bit better, but the camel spins seem to give me the most trouble, which is funny because I love doing them normally. I did a few great death drops, and I know one of them in the video was a good one IMO. I still need to tweak a bit of the position and toe, but my coach really likes it when I do that particular spin.

I like to post the vids just so I have some incentive to (hopefully) improve myself on the next session I skate.

Constructive criticism welcome It has been helpful getting critiques from non-skaters since I hear what is/isn't good looking from the eyes of a spectator. Hopefully everyone will see improvements soon!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0sbj4sC6NE



Thanks everyone for the support so far. I've really got a lot to work on between now and Adult Nationals, and hopefully I get more and more comfortable in my new skates.

[Deetlebug]

Thanks! Today was a bit annoying because I was working on the double toe and fell, and in the process my left skate jabbed my right skate RIGHT on my ankle and made a slight hole in my boot (kinda hurt for a minute too)....LOL, barely even a week in the new boots and I already ruin them

Mike, just like a new car, the first scratch always hurts the most.

Constructive criticism welcome It has been helpful getting critiques from non-skaters since I hear what is/isn't good looking from the eyes of a spectator. Hopefully everyone will see improvements soon!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0sbj4sC6NE



Thanks everyone for the support so far. I've really got a lot to work on between now and Adult Nationals, and hopefully I get more and more comfortable in my new skates.

I think you're coming along quite well. You can still tell that you're adjusting to the new blades, but less so than a few vids back. Improvement forward is always good, right?

I love that you keep posting vids and also really enjoy your comments and titles cards you include in the vids. I have one question for you regarding your toe loop jump. You mentioned in an earlier post that your current coach has taught you a different technique on the jump. Can you explain what you're doing differently? What you're doing now looks very similar to what my coach has taught me on my toe loop, though I'm only doing single jumps. My toe loop gets good distance and is almost on auto-pilot when I add it to my waltz jump, which is a nice feeling.

Keep skating.