> |
> |
Recovery
Most people think that the purpose of the recovery is to relax, and this is partly true...
5) Issues related to recovery
Let me start this last point with a question! Think about the speedskating stride, and about what makes us ‘go’. And now let me ask: What do you think is the most important part of the stride?
If you answered ‘the push’, then I’d say you’re wrong! Sure the push is important, but what most skaters fail to understand is that what happens between pushes is probably even more important. It’s what happens between pushes that ultimately determines how powerful and how efficient the push is.
What happens immediately after a push is the recovery of the skate. Understanding the mechanics, timing, and importance of the recovery is the first step in realizing that the execution of the recovery dictates the overall efficiency of skating. The recovery is so important that when we go through the classic technique skill progression at Breakawayskate workshops we spend more time on the recovery than any other single aspect of the stroke.
You can think of the recovery as ‘the primer’ for the glide and the weight transfer. The recovery provides both time and opportunity to place the body in a position where it can benefit most when it comes time to ‘fall’ and subsequent push. The recovery is like the wind-up when throwing a ball. The first thing we have to do is ‘cock and load’ by bringing the arm back in a position where it can unload. The same is true of the recovery. The recovery skate must also cock and load, ultimately what I refer to as the pre-set position
The recovery is a very active component of the push. Most people think that the purpose of the recovery is to relax, and this is partly true. However, the latter half of the recovery functions to increase the momentum of the weight transfer and ultimately enhance pushing force.
opyright © 2004 Barry Publow. All Rights Reserved.
