How can I build confidence to learn to ice skate?

Question

I'd really like to be able to skate but when I went last week I was too terrified to let go of the barrier! Starting lessons soon - any tips to overcome the fear?!!!

Answer 1

That's normal for someone starting out learning something new. The fear should become less and less as you get used to standing on ice. If you don't get on the ice at all, then the ice would win. You wouldn't want that, would you?

Answer 2

I think pretty much everybody is terrified when they are just starting out. As you get more experience on the ice, the more confidence you will get, and the less terrifying it'll become.

There are a couple of things you can do to help ease into it, however.

First, going in with protective gear will give you an automatic boost in confidence. You can start with a helmet, knee/elbow pads if you have access to them, and gloves as well.

Second, learning to fall is definitely a must. You will fall, whether you like it or not. Learning to fall will get the inevitable out of the way, and you'll probably find it's not as bad as you think. If you're falling forward lift your head and neck back, and try and keep your arms in and fall on your side if possible. Backwards, tuck your chin in and try and absorb the the fall with your butt.

If your taking lessons, you'll most likely be learning these skills and some other good practice skills. Most of all though, just go out there to have fun and you will definitely get a lot out of it.

Answer 3

One tip I can give you is to try holding on to a folding chair or stool and push it around the rink until you feel comfortable on your skates. It is an approach I have used, teaching people how to skate. Also if you are using figure skates try hockey skates they will give you more ankle support.

Answer 4

nicely, assuming you do not have your very own ice skates and you would be renting them, i visit grant you some useful counsel to think of roughly. maximum condo skates blades, at first, are very uninteresting and infrequently sharpened, a minimum of at my rink. yet that probable isn't the main serious subject good now, inspite of the incontrovertible fact that, while or in case you establish to take classes, you will need some respectable skates! in case you hire hockey skates, those have shorter bladers and no toepick, however the boot is greater stable. ensure once you first lace up your skates that the laces are tied tightly, yet no longer so tight which you won't be able to circulate your foot interior in any respect. so a techniques as length, you ought to attempt some pairs on, as frequently a skate length will run somewhat smaller than your fairly shoe length. Your ft ought to have some wiggle room, yet lower back, no longer too lots. you like your skates to experience snug and guard. Now you're waiting to step onto the ice! you will want to first step onto the ice slowly and carry onto the barrier until eventually you experience effective adequate which you will no longer lose your stability. For me, as quickly as I first stepped onto the ice at age 11, and that i'm now 27, I by no skill had to hold onto a barrier. I rollerbladed lots and that helped me familiarize myself with the ice good away. you ought to be a similar way, and if so, super! If no longer, it is okay, too, as that's new and in keeping with risk frightening for you. endure in innovations, additionally, that a blade is composed of edges, or perhaps nevertheless the blade looks very skinny and you're able to be questioning, how in the international will I be waiting to stability on those issues, this is unquestionably much less annoying than you think of. as quickly as you have a experience for the ice, launch your grip slowly, yet stay on the fringe of the wall in case you ought to, and carry your palms out to the realm to maintain your physique stability. in case you lean forward too lots on determine skates, you will little question holiday over your toepick and do a face plant, which i'm responsible of extremely in lots of situations. Be effective and carry your head up. Your head facilitates save your stability, too. do no longer think of, "i visit fall on my butt," think of, "i will try this, i visit try this" and each thing will fall into place. in case you and your acquaintances make certain you adore ice skating, then look into taking team classes and at last privates ones, too. sturdy success!

Answer 5

Take a deep breath,understand what and how you have to do,close your eyes surrendering and having faith in God,concentrate and let it go....!Just see you have done wonders!What is the worst that can ever happen,be ready for the worst and you conquer fear once and for all.

Answer 6

the Landlord,put your ice skates on and go out there and START SKATING,that is the only way.Also instead of being terrified say to yuorself:"THIS IS TERRIFIC"!

Answer 7

My best advice is to go with the rail, but do only one lap without it. On your next practice, do 2 laps, so on and so forth.

Answer 8

Hi there,

I can recommend something like http://www.fullofconfidence.com/instant_confidence.php to help you become more confident there. It works a treat :)

All the best

Jason

Answer 9

They will help you at your lesson, and try slowly moving inward. It is a litle scary, but yo can do it!