I really hope more and more of this generation can be encouraged to teach figures to the students of today and tomorrow. From quality of skating, to injury prevention, to the beauty that perhaps will bring the audience enthusiasm, this part of technique is so vital. And parents need to be educated on the value of time spent in this area. Ballet has gone through a very similar trajectory, with the greats of the 50's to the 80's now teaching, but often too hesitant to enforce the underlying technique. Nothing has to be done to an extreme, but a balance of focus can be such a benefit to both skaters, audiences, and the future of the art. These lessons with Paul are gold, and the recent focus on figures is a great gift to the sport.
You’re doing really well Dave. People have no idea how difficult it is to master these figures. I was working on change threes and paragraph threes today, and it’s maddening! I can’t even make it around them. Lol! Doug Mattis used to imitate John Nicks saying, “It’s a geometric disaster!” This is Debi commenting btw 😊
I got really excited when I saw double threes in the title, and even more excited when I saw it was 20+ mins long. 🤗 The amount of fundamental skating advice that came out of just teaching double threes just shows how important figures are. It is so important to develop both sides of your body to prevent injury and develop stability in one's skating. I now get more satisfaction out of nailing a double three figure than a good lutz edge. 😜 Thanks for sharing.
I practiced dance for more than10 years in France⛸️🇫🇷 but always worked hard on these figures every morning ..so important for the footwork.Paul great coach to teach figures🤩
Figures more exciting to me than any jump. Thank you so much sharing David. I would be so nervous if Paul was my instructor 😅 love watching you hone figures wish there are more Davids at my rink
Love this - brings back memories but also hearing things I've never heard - and "geometric disaster" reminds me of my figures!! Please bring on more of this!
I wish I had someone in my area who may be brave enough to teach a figures class. I did them as a kid and was TERRIBLE at them but I do appreciate them and want to get back to it in my dotage.
Out of curiosity, are figures easier in dance blades? And dance boots for that matter? Was curious after that discussion about toepicks. I believe dance blades usually have a smaller pick and make it easier to switch edges?? I also wear gold seals, but have never worn dance blades so not sure.
I really hope more and more of this generation can be encouraged to teach figures to the students of today and tomorrow. From quality of skating, to injury prevention, to the beauty that perhaps will bring the audience enthusiasm, this part of technique is so vital. And parents need to be educated on the value of time spent in this area. Ballet has gone through a very similar trajectory, with the greats of the 50's to the 80's now teaching, but often too hesitant to enforce the underlying technique. Nothing has to be done to an extreme, but a balance of focus can be such a benefit to both skaters, audiences, and the future of the art. These lessons with Paul are gold, and the recent focus on figures is a great gift to the sport.
🙏
You’re doing really well Dave. People have no idea how difficult it is to master these figures. I was working on change threes and paragraph threes today, and it’s maddening! I can’t even make it around them.
Lol! Doug Mattis used to imitate John Nicks saying, “It’s a geometric disaster!”
This is Debi commenting btw 😊
Thank you so much for your constant support and encouragement!
I got really excited when I saw double threes in the title, and even more excited when I saw it was 20+ mins long. 🤗 The amount of fundamental skating advice that came out of just teaching double threes just shows how important figures are. It is so important to develop both sides of your body to prevent injury and develop stability in one's skating. I now get more satisfaction out of nailing a double three figure than a good lutz edge. 😜 Thanks for sharing.
I love you and Paul - especially when he says “David” - the problem solving and explainations are so helpful
He switches what he refers to me as based on the point he is making!!!
It was amazing to see how much improvement there was in the space of one lesson
I practiced dance for more than10 years in France⛸️🇫🇷 but always worked hard on these figures every morning ..so important for the footwork.Paul great coach to teach figures🤩
Figures more exciting to me than any jump. Thank you so much sharing David. I would be so nervous if Paul was my instructor 😅 love watching you hone figures wish there are more Davids at my rink
You can do it!
Love this - brings back memories but also hearing things I've never heard - and "geometric disaster" reminds me of my figures!! Please bring on more of this!
Dave you absolute jewel. This was such a wonderful video to share with us and so very gracious of Paul to allow you to video a lesson. ❤
Glad you enjoyed it
More figures please. Love this lesson. Heading to rink soon to work on these.
I am visiting Paul next week.
Omg this took me back to patch at 6am!
I wish I had someone in my area who may be brave enough to teach a figures class. I did them as a kid and was TERRIBLE at them but I do appreciate them and want to get back to it in my dotage.
Paul gives virtual lessons! gowylie@me.com
Out of curiosity, are figures easier in dance blades? And dance boots for that matter? Was curious after that discussion about toepicks. I believe dance blades usually have a smaller pick and make it easier to switch edges?? I also wear gold seals, but have never worn dance blades so not sure.
I wish Paul would have done the figure he "messed up." I never got that far in school figures. lol