So yesterday a few of us guys from The Skateful Dead and a few of those gals from Halifax Bruising Banditas had an open practice session at Whitcliffe Mount Sports Centre.
Only 9 of us there, but I really enjoyed it. We started off warming up – of course – then I got chatting to Mark about sprint starts on toe-stops. It feels horrible, as though I’m going to take a step and fall flat on my face. Mark adjusted by toe stops and toe guards and I tried some more. Over the evening I talked to Tony O about it. I was impressed by his determination practicing them over and over. By the end of the evening I had improved a little, though I still launch off one foot then immediately land on wheels and start rolling.
I also spent some time on transitions. On a forward to backward transition I scissor my left foot forward, pivot my right foot clockwise on toe wheels, pivot my left foot clockwise on back wheels and then (traveling backwards) reverse the scissor so that I lead with my right foot. Because this is what I always do I can do it at speed and it feels comfortable. So I worked on rotating anti-clockwise for the transition. I’ve been working on this for a while and it was definitely better. I strongly believe that for physical things it is impossible to learn movements instantly. They need to be performed repeatedly so that you can remember how they feel.
The other skill I worked on was plough stops. Again I’m pleased to report that I can detect an improvement. I’m getting lower and digging my skate in and actually coming to a stop. I still have a way to go – t-stop with left foot trailing continues to be my standard way of slowing down/stopping – though single knee falls are quite good fun too :-)
I had a good chat with Helen “Ava Noir”. We comparing notes on side skating. Mark gave me help with one-on-one blocking. Emma shared an “improve your derby stance/leg strength” drill. Chris shared tips on lateral blocking. Towards the end of the session we decided we’d all go for 27 in 5. Emma managed 28. I lost count.
We finished with clockwise crossovers as a bit of a cool down. And that was our last practice before our debut bout on Sunday, Thanks to all for your help and again to Tony for the taxi service.