Product Description
In Ice Skating: Steps to Success, Karin Künzle-Watson—nine-time Swiss National Champion, former Professional World Champion, and one of skating’s best instructors—shares the learning sequence that she and many of her students used to become elite skaters. Karin’s unique insights along with over 300 detailed illustrations make this guide your best source for learning proper form and technique.

The 50 drills in the book come with performance goals and a list of key points to remember when performing each of them, and many of them include instructions for increasing or decreasing their level of difficulty.

Part of the highly popular Steps to Success Activity Series, this book will help improve your skating knowledge and performance on your way to becoming a confident and capable skater. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

excellent beginner's manual
I will echo what other reviewers have said: this is an excellent book for beginning skaters. It will help you understand and develop basic skills so you can progress in whatever direction you choose, even if it's just to have more fun and be a more confident recreational skater.

I like that she explains the value in each drill; what it does specifically (i.e. "swizzles" teach you to keep your weight on a certain part of the blade), and how it will improve your skills as a skater. I'm currently taking group classes, but it was due to the written information in this book, plus the illustrations, that I am finally able to properly do the one foot glide (and am getting better at it every day).

The actual instructions are generally detailed enough that the reader can usually grasp what she means just by reading, but the illustrations take it to a whole new level. The only possible improvement would be a companion DVD, but as well done as the illustrations and written descriptions are, it probably isn't necessary.

My only complaint with the book is that every once in awhile, she uses descriptions/terminology that are non-intuitive and would not be familiar to a new skater. It's infrequent, but a brand-spanking-new beginner will have to head to google from time to time to look up some of the terminology. In a book written specifically for beginners, that shouldn't be happening. She does specify in the beginning that the book isn't meant to be a substitute for a good coach, but realistically, she should have known that many of her readers would be people who do not have access to professional coaching of any kind.

Overall, for any beginner looking to learn some basics on their own, or supplement what they're learning in classes or lessons, this book is worth checking out.

Helpful, if daunting.
This book is daunting for a true beginner.However, I found myself reading sections over and over again, and each time I got more out of it.I didn't skate as a child, and started at age 55.It hasn't come easily to me.I'm glad I didn't get this book at the very beginning, but now I find it is particularly useful for pointing out common mistakes, and tips for correcting them.There are drills and diagrams, and detailed explanations of what each part of your body should be doing on a turn, for example.It's definitely a technical manual more than a coffee table book with pretty photographs, so if that's what you need, I recommend it.

Good Book for Beginner
This book is good for the beginner. A lot of basic and experienced informations are included. A new edition is expected.

excellent resource
If you're looking for a companion read to your lessons or solo forays onto the ice, this is a great start. The illustrations are easy to follow and the tips on how to troubleshoot and how to increase your proficiency are helpful. Ice skating is a difficult thing to learn through a book, but this is a great one to consult as you get your bearings.

So easy to understand
This book is excellent for the beginner!I just recently started skating and take weekly group lessons.This book has helped me greatly by providing specific excercises to put into my practice sessions which in turn have made me feel like I am finally "getting" the whole concept of edges and especially the crossover maneuver.I highly recommend this book for the beginning skater. ... Read more

Product Description
Four-time world champion and professional figure skater Kurt Browning replaces his boots and blades with pen and paper in "A is for Axel: An Ice Skating Alphabet."From holding an edge to laces and hooks, Kurt glides and dances through the alphabet explaining the history, techniques and memorable moments of the sport.Melanie Rose captures the excitement visually with her colorful, playful illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Skating and the Alphabet - Kids Love it
Kids love this series of books.A is for Axel hits home as I have three skaters - two of which are working on learning their alphabets and words.The side bars have been an hit to my older skater who can read.I watched a lot of Kurt Browning competing back in the day - stand up guy.Nice transition to the written world.I recommend highly for a good fun read.

Wonderful
This is another of the aphabet series of books. Being a figure skating fan, and Kurt Browning is one of my favorite skaters, I was captivated by his book. This is written for the fairly young child, but the sidebars of information for the more adult gives good explanations of the different moves of figure skating. Very enjoyable to read!

Interesting Book
I never knew Kurt Browning could write such a book! It is filled with details and some history of the sport. I really enjoyed this book, but I thought it could've had something written about how to do an axel or something like that but it is a very, very good book. ... Read more

Product Description
As the ice skating competition approaches, Coach Barbie helps Jane learn that ice skating is more about doing one's best and having a good time than it is about perfection. ... Read more

Product Description
"The Figure Skating Book" explains the commonly performed jumps, spins and pairs moves. With detailed instructions for each maneuver, and useful line drawings for all the steps involved. The lively text also outlines some of the history of each move, explaining who made it famous and how. For instance, the Axel is named after Axel Paulsen, the Norwegian skater who invented the jump, and Kurt Browning was the first skater to successfully land a quadruple jump in competition.

The first chapter, Getting Started, includes information about buying the proper equipment and clothing. The Basics explains gliding, stopping, backward stroking and cross-cuts. Turns discusses a variety of turns for the beginner skater, while Jumps offers moves such as the waltz jump, Salchow, toe loop, Lutz and Axel. Spins and Field Moves, details pivots and footwork steps, and Dance introduces the reader to pairs moves. The final chapter gives helpful tips on choosing a skating club and coach, as well as fitness preparation and injury prevention.

As Wilkes points out in her introduction, there's just something totally intoxicating about skating. It's magical and lovely, physical yet artistic, fresh and wholesome and with enough speed and power in the mix to make it dangerous. When a skater finally gets control, the sense of accomplishment is enormous. Skaters and fans at all skill and ages will increase their knowledge and understanding by following lessons in this book.

Debbi Wilkes is a broadcaster and teacher who has been immersed in figure skating since childhood. Together with her skating partner, Guy Revell, Wilkes is a past North American champion and received a silver medal at the 1964 Olympic Games in Innsbruck. She has a masters degree in communications from Michigan State University, and appears regularly on television as a color commentator, covering the Olympic Games. She is also the host of television's very popular program on figure skating, "Ice Time." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

An awesome instruction book!
This book is fantastic! I am teaching myself moves and I dont even have skates! It is easy to read, and very helpful! It even arrived the 3 days before schedule!

The Figure Skating Book
A wonderful guide to figure skating.It's written in a clear, easy-to-read manner and comes with great illustrations and photographs.An excellent book to read and to teach.I taught myself some moves while standing in my skate guards, and my instructor already noticed an improvement in my skating!It's wonderful.I loved it! ... Read more

Product Description
A skater's dream is on thin ice-.

Eleven-year-old Olivia Hudson eats, breathes, and dreams of becoming an Olympic ice-skater. But years of hard practice and competitions are suddenly worthless when her father decides to move them from Illinois to Alpine Lake, Colorado. As far as Livvy is concerned, he may as well have moved them to the desert. With no coach in Alpine Lake, her dreams for a super career on the ice are shattered!

Livvy does her best to adjust to her new life, but it's not easy being the new girl in a tiny town. So she's totally surprised when unexpected help comes from two mysterious sources. Could it be that her Olympic goals aren't out of reach after all?

Customer Reviews (3)

Great ice skating story for girls
We really liked this book and my daughter could not put it down once she started reading it. We needed a sport or hobby book for her reading log (4th grade) and this fit the bill perfectly. I would definitely recommend it for girls in the 7 to 12 age group.

the Shunning
I have read all of Beverly Lewis adult books and long for more.I am intrigued by the stories of Lancaster County Pa.Looking forward to more tales of the simple life.Beverly, thank you very much for soothing "winter" reading.I really enjoyed your stories.

Dreams On Ice is great!
Dreams On Ice by Beverly Lewis is a fabulous story about an eleven year old girl named Olivia Hudson.Her dreams of becoming a professional figure skater are put on hold when she and her dad move to Alpine Lake, Colorado after her mom dies from cancer.Olivia makes friends in some unexpectedplaces and begins to really enjoy her new home.I love it when she gets tomeet her pen pal and finds a place to skate. I enjoyed this book because Ilike to ice skate like Olivia. I have read nearly all of Beverly Lewis'Cul-De-Sac Kids books and this book in the Girls Only series is just aswonderful.I'm looking forward to reading the 3 other books in thisseries.by Kaitlyn Drennan, 10 years old ... Read more

Product Description
Twirl andspin your way into the artistic and high-precision world of figure skating with none other than Kristi Yamaguchi, 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist and former amateur winner of thirteen titles, including two consecutive World Championships. Whether you love skating around the rink or you're a fan of the sport and never miss a live or televised skating event, Kristi Yamaguchi's Figure Skating For Dummies covers all the important topics, includingFinding the right equipment (from boots to skates) that fits your budgetSelecting a practice rink and choosing a choreographer to compose movements to enhance your performancesPicking a great coach and getting the most from your lessonsDiscovering the lowdown on the secret world of figure skating judges; what they look for in a performance and how they themselves qualify to be judgesDeciphering what those scores mean and how a 5.5 score can beat a 5.8 score Finding out the requirements for passing each test offered by the U.S. Figure Skating AssociationBest of all, Figure Skating For Dummies gives you the inside scoop about ways to improve and enhance your performance, and even lets you in on Kristi's personal conditioning program -- the one she used to win the Gold Medal in the 1992 Winter Olympics!Amazon.com Review
After watching a figure-skating performance, do you everwonder what just happened on the ice? The skater supposedly executeda flawless double Salchow and triple Lutz, among other things, andthen the judges posted a bunch of numbers. Maybe you need help fromthe Dummies. Written by 1992 Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi (with a foreword by Scott Hamilton), Figure Skating for Dummiesis a primer for spectators and would-be skaters alike. Learn thelingo, understand the judging practice, and--if you're reallycommitted--embark on a practical training schedule in hopes of performingyour own double-toe loops and triple axels. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

NIce book!
this is a nice book for beginners to have a general idea.however this book can not substitute a coach. Some instructions must be explained in details.

The best FS book I've read
I wasted a lot of money on figure skating books prior to buying this one.This book includes everything you need to know if you are a skating parent or are new to figure skating.A lot of books either speak to you as though you are an idiot or they are too advanced.This book is just right and packs EVERYTHING you could ever want to know about FS into an easy-to-read and enjoyable format.Buy this one first, you won't need to waste your money on other books.

***2010: a little outdated now, but still great overview for beginner.***

Awesome book!Very well written by a champ!
This book was not only extremely informative but it was written with a fun, light tone that made reading enjoyable.Everything was very user friendly and never, at any given time, was I slightly confused or bored.Great book for skaters (because secrets are revealed) and non-skaters (who always wondered about the names of things, how certain moves are done, etc.).

Dummies?
The title might just as well be "Ice skating for aspiring professionals."In any case, a wonderful book about skating, well written and clear.I saw the chart on the Axel and thought, "Oh!It's just a waltz jump with a full turn at the end.Wow!I can do that!"Fortunately, I haven't attempted that yet. I'd have to be a dummy to try.Knees are nice. (BTW I'm well over 13 y.o.)

Good reading, although the judging system has changed
This is a great book for fans of the sport, but especially those armchair fans who know nothing about the elements but want to appreciate the finer points of this lovely sport. An explanation of the jumps and spins, plus how a program is put together and an overview of the rules, make this an entertaining and useful tool. ... Read more

Product Description
Develop explosive acceleration, speed, and agility and dominate the ice! Laura Stamm's Power Skating presents the skating system used by thousands of the sport's top players and teams to move with maximum efficiency on the ice.

From starts and stops to turns and transitions, Laura Stamm's Power Skating covers all of the critical components of explosive skating. Through top-level instruction, practice drills, and coaching tips, you'll learn to these skills:

• Increase on-ice acceleration.
• Improve balance while changing directions on the ice.
• Increase speed and agility to disrupt aggressive defensemen.
• Explode from a stationary position and stop more rapidly.
• Increase puck protection without sacrificing speed.
• Use speed and agility to create more scoring chances for yourself and teammates.

Customer Reviews (4)

Covers the basics of ice skating
Laura Stamm's POWER SKATING tells how to develop speed and agility through a skating system used by thousands of top players expert in ice skating. From starts and stops to turns, this covers the basics of ice skating, from balance and acceleration to increasing speed and using agility to create better hockey scoring chances.

The proof is on the ice!
Take the ideas and techniques and drills explained in this book a few at a time.Bring them with you to the ice again and again.Use the ideas.Learn the techniques.Practice the drills.Practice them some more.Own the style.Watch your game and your confidence develop and transform powerfully.This book is a valuable, well-written guide for achieving superior levels of power, speed, and agility in "skating great hockey!"

Excellent for all skill levels!
Laura Stamm's power skating instruction is incredibly useful for all skill levels.This book is a gold mine of practical tools one can use to improve their own stride or to teach skating more effectively.I highly recommend Laura's work to anyone who wants to learn the fundamentals of skating or to fix bad skating habits they've had for 15 years.An excellent resource!

Informative, instructional, a must read for every skater!
Laura Stamm's Power Skating thouroughly describes power skating techniques with diagrams, photos and written descriptions. This book is beneficial to both new skaters and pros. Whether you are just learning to skate or want to perfect your technique you will benefit from the information in this book. An excellent reference tool for coaches at all levels.
... Read more

Product Description

The budding Elvis Stojko or Josee Choinard in your family will love this guide with diagrams and instruction on jumps, steps and other recommendations.

Figure Skating School is for people of all ages and abilities. Whatever your level of fitness and sporting ability, you can make great progress with this practical guide. A systematic course of instruction, it guides you from basic steps--skating forwards and backwards -- through the most advanced techniques such as double flip and triple Salchow.

Written by two professional instructors, the clear text is complemented by over 30 full-color figure illustrations. Diagrams showing correct positioning of the feet accompany each illustration, making sure you don't put the wrong foot forward.

Also includes:

• History of Figure Skating
• Guidance on clothing and equipment
• General principles of good skating
• Sections on pairs skating and ice dance

Stunning photographs of today's skating stars complete a figure skating treat for anyone interested in the sport.

Customer Reviews (10)

good book
My book was in a good condition. And is just exactly what i was looking for. thanx!

from one of the best
i think the book is great and i have been awarded several medals and trophies in skating. it has a good technique for beginingto professional. the best of the best!!!!!!

I wish there is a two-and-a-half star rating
Like my title says, I wish there is a two and a half star rating. I have read better skating books than this one, such as " Figure Skating For Dummies" and "The Essential Figure Skater". This book is too vague in some parts of the book and too much information in the other parts. Not a very good guide to figure skating. The beautiful pictures of famous figure skaters are the best parts of this book.

To much covered not enough info!
This book is only 128pgs and covered to much with to little info. With everything covered this book needed to be at least 300pgs. Over all worth reading.

Excellent book for illustrating skating moves!
This book provides step by step illustrations of a range of skating moves from beginners to advance. The placement of the foot patterns is easy to see with arrows to show direction. As a level one freestyle figure skater, I find that the book is missing directions on beginning movements, warmups, and preparation for jumps and spins.Advanced skaters find this book extremely helpful in learning to perform double and triple rotations in jumps and various spins. Written instructions are provided to assist skaters at all levels. ... Read more

Product Description
(Ages 6-9) Day and night, Callie Cat ice skates on the pond in her backyard. She loves to ice skate, loves it more than chocolate cake, more than going to the mall-more than her friends can understand.That is, until the Honeybrook Ice Rink announces a contest, and everyone thinks it could be Callie's big chance!Now Callie practices day and night. She wants to win the big prize...doesn't she?

Sometimes doing something you love is its own reward, as Eileen Spinelli's unusual story demonstrates. Anne Kennedy's exuberant art shows a unique heroine in motion. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Do what you love...because you love it!
"Callie Cat, Ice Skater"
Written by Eileen Spinelli
Illustrated by Anne Kennedy
(Albert Whitman & Co., 2007)
-------------------------------------------
Do what you love - because you love it!A nice story with a nice message, about a young girl (an anthropomorphized cat) who loves ice skating, gracefully gliding on the frozen pond near home anytime she can.When a skating contest is announced, her schoolfriends urge Callie to enter, and convince her that she just *has* to win.Although she becomes nervous, after Callie sees several other contestants fail, she starts to believe that, hey, maybe she will win!And yet, first place goes to another girl, and Callie is crushed. On the way home, her parents are appropriately supportive, telling her that what matters is that she tried her best, although her friends emphasize how disappointed she must feel.Callie keeps quiet, though, and the next day, she puts her skates back on, and goes back out on the ice, once again skating just for fun.This book deals with several important issues in a nice, gentle way -- peer pressure, learning to be resilient and deal with failure, and also learning to appreciate and enjoy things just for what they are, not for what they can get you.A nice parable for parents and kids dealing with competitive sports and other intense, passionate interests.Recommended! (Joe Sixpack, ReadThatAgain children's book reviews)

Perfectly captures the feeling of doing what you love
I bought this for my 6 year old daughter who has a passion for skating.As another reviewer said, the first time I read this to my daughter I actually cried at the end! This book truly captures the feeling of doing something for the pure joy of it.Although it is written about ice skating, the feeling it describes and the wonderful message of the book will ring true to people outside the sport.

Callie Cat, Ice Skater
I purchased this book for a 10 year old who loves skating and cats.The story and illustrations are wonderful.The message is heartfelt.I highly recommend this book to beginning skaters, who skate for the joy of skating.

What a wonderful wonderful book!
Just loved the illustrations and particularly the message of the book which is "Do it for the sheer love of it!".

Callie Cat, Ice Skater
This is the second time I have given the book "Callie Cat, Ice Skater" as a gift. It is an adorable story with a wonderful, non-preachy message, "Winning is not always the most important thing. Sometimes we need to do something for the sheer joy of doing it!" MAJ ... Read more

Product Description
As a sport, an art, and a fitness activity, nothing quite beats figure skating for excitement, grace, beauty, or fun.Now former U.S. Champion figure skater John Misha Petkevich shows how you can find your full potential as a figure skater. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Excellent for beginners too
I started taking figure skating classes about a year ago. As an older student compared to the 9 year olds in my class, I found it very difficult to follow the class now that I'm on freestyle level. The kids in my class seems to be able to perform the moves without putting too much thought into it, but I found myself standing in the class and just watching them moving, and before I knew it, the class was over and I had spend the entire class just standing, freezing trying to understand the moves.

This book was so helpfull as it describes the moves in great detail. There are several diagrams so you know where your foot goes. Should I use the left, should I use the right foot? When you read the description of the moves you might not understand at first, but as you read and you practice the moves, it becomes an excellent tool. You can use the book together with some of the u-tube videos. You can watch the moves in the u-tube to have an idea, then you go to the book and break it down the moves. Then you are able to get it after practicing a lot! I recommend this book to anybody starting to learn a little bit more difficult moves and need some help.

Great for roller skaters too!
I'm ordering another copy, as somehow mine got lost in a move. Some of the names of things may differ between figure (ice) and artistic (roller) skating but the descriptions and photographs were very, very useful to me and waaaaaaaaaaah I'm very lost without my copy as there are very few artistic skating coaches in existence! So, yes! My toe stops are in a knot! This was a very useful book to me!

THE figure skating book
I have owned copies of this book for years and it has been my standby reference manual during training and recovery from injury. Inspirational and great step by step.

The travel of a book from USA to Spain
I received my book in the correct period of time, even before! And I live in Spain! The book is in perfect conditions.

mixed feelings
As a newbie skater, this book offers some good general info and advice as most instructional books do.
My main complaint is that the pictures are not descriptive enough to follow a sequence and, let's face it, it's tough to show movement in book form anyway.However, the other issue is that the text is hard to follow as well, if you are trying to learn about a new move.Naturally the text and the pictures make more sense when you already know the move and want to improve on it.
So, depending on your ice-skating skill level, your ability to decifer instructions and your imagination, you might say this book is skating on thin ice.
... Read more

Product Description
Signing up extra early so that she can participate in the Champions on Ice show as a flower skater, Nancy Drew is crushed when her name is erased from the list and must figure out who did it in order to get back in. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

8 year old reviews this:
I think that book was very interesting and I think we should get the second one.I really really enjoyed it and I think it was very fun and I think the part that was interesting was when Nancy caught the other girl from erasing her name and putting another name.In the end, the other girl was nice to Nancy.

Wouldn't you like to skate with a star on ice?
All the girls in River Heights sure would love to be part of the big ice show! It's a chance for even a third-grade student to get her name on the list of flower girls! You can skate out on the ice and pick up all the flowers that fans throw to the champions!

But somebody has no sense of sportsmanship, erasing Nancy Drew's name from the list of girls to participate. Who can the cheater be?

It's only a matter of time, and logical investigation for America's favorite spunky girl detective to pull out her trusty blue notebook and find out who is Not Nice on Ice!

Carolyn Keene has produced yet another tantalizing mystery for young readers, with a fun and exciting setting that girls will all love!

Recommended!

NOT NICE ON ICE (GREAT BOOK)
ITHINK THAT THIS BOOK IS AMAZINGLY WRITEN BY CARYOLN KEENE AND THERE NOT NICE ON THAT ICE BUT AT THE END ITS NICE ON ICE!!

I enjoyed this book . It was a fun and learning book.
I really liked the book .It is now my favorite book. I think this book teaches you not to cheat.I have read other books about Nancy Drew and I really like them. Also Iwant to congratulate the author for a great book. ... Read more

Product Description

A fan's book on international skating stars -- today's best and tomorrow's brightest

Figure skating has burst back onto the international sports scene, following a series of unfortunate judging controversies. There is a fresh crop of skaters who are jumping higher, skating faster and pushing artistic and technical boundaries like never before. The figure skating revolution includes new rules plus new countries in competition, and sees women once again landing the triple axel. The budding rivalries in both the men's and women's competitions have rejuvenated this riveting sport that commands prime time television for months.

Figure Skating Today showcases the skaters during the events of the 2006-07 season, including the Grand Prix Finals, the Europeans and the Four Continents, and the 2007 World Championships in Tokyo.

An exciting look at the current crop of today's top international champs and those on the road to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Figure Skating Today covers such international stars as:

• Kimmie Meissner
• Mao Asada
• Jeffrey Buttle
• Stéphane Lambiel
• Jessica Dubé and Bryce Davison.

With its action photos, behind-the-scenes stories and fascinating statistics, Figure Skating Today is a book for every skating fan.

Customer Reviews (2)

NICE PHOTOS FOR A COFFEE TABLE PICTURE BOOK
THIS BOOK ARRIVED IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, HOWEVER, THERE IS LIMITED CONTENT. PHOTOS ARE NICE, BUT NOT ANYTHING DIFFERENT THAN CAN BE SEEN IN THE SKATING MAGAZINES. THE SELECTION OF FUTURE SKATING "STARS" FEATURED IS A RATHER ONE-SIDED VIEW.

A beautiful snapshot
I wish their was a classy revue like this one of Figure Skating stars available at the end of each season.This is an interesting and very beautifully photographed snapshot in time at the end of the 06/07 season.It is interesting to note who has evolved and become the current favorites since this book was published.Especially, Yuna Kim who has gone on to hold most of the important titles and records in the women's division.She has demonstrated a level of technique and artistry that would put her on the cover of any new edition as we cruise into the 2010 Olympic season. ... Read more

Product Description
To be the best on the rink, skaters must spend endless hours strengthening and conditioning their bodies off the ice to build strength for the rigors of their performances. Illustrative and technical, yet user-friendly, Conditioning for Figure Skating provides detailed coverage of the physical preparation necessary for Preliminary through Senior-Elite skaters while concentrating on all disciplines of figure skating, including singles, pairs, and ice dance. More than 300 photos illustrate proper warm-up drills, flexibility stretches, cooldown routines, strength training exercises, jump and plyometric training programs, and endurance conditioning exercises for on-ice injury prevention. A periodization plan also helps skaters maximize their training potential. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Conditioning for Figure Skating
My daughter has trained with Carl Poe and it is great to have his techniques available whenever she needs them.

Conditioning for Figure Skating
This book was so good from the library I wanted my own copy so that I could dog ear the pages and make sure I stay on track to get my skating to the level it can be to be great!

Great for serious figure skaters
This is a well writen book that explains different exercises that will be of benefit to figure skaters and athletes alike. It is more of an adult/young adult read. Overall, very informational.

Great Information
A wealth of information that is hard to find elsewhere.After reading from cover to cover, I handed it over to my daughters coach and together we developed an off ice training regimen that suits her skill level and reflects her goals. Definite improvement in sucessful jumps completed noticed right away.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is serious about ice skating.

Great book for skaters of all levels and age
I highly recommend this book. It details off-ice conditioning programs for singles, pairs, or dance and skaters of all ages and skill levels. Strength training, effective warm-up and cool down, plyometric, and other off-ice conditioning programs are detailed, as well as effectively improving your muscular and cardiovascular conditioning on ice. The only negative to this book is the photos and text explaining some of the moves - they could be a bit more descriptive.
A great book from a very qualified author. These programs will yield great results on the ice if you put the time and effort in to conditioning. ... Read more

Product Description

The ponies are having an ice-skating party, and each pony plans to share a special skating trick. But Pinkie Pie doesn't even know how to skate! Will she be able to learn in time for the party?

Customer Reviews (1)

Cute book!
My daughter will love this book for her 5th birthday.She hasn't seen it yet, but MLP and LPS (littlest pet shop) are her 2 favorite toys. ... Read more

Product Description
The finest figure skaters in the world make their sport look so graceful and simple. Those who have tried to learn and coach figure skating know that it is not easy. In The Complete Book of Figure Skating, author Carole Shulman combines her vast experience as a former competitive skater, a Master PSA instructor, a professional figure skating judge, and the current Director of the Professional Skaters Association to cover every aspect of the sport with clarity and expertise.

Shulman describes the proper techniques for more than 100 skills, from stops, stroking skills, and freestyle moves to turns and footwork—including ice-dancing techniques, spins, jumps, and pairs skating techniques. Also included are advice and guidelines on choosing equipment, conditioning your body, and creating competition programs that will score high marks with the judges.

This book is an essential guide to participating and excelling in the sport. Whether you’re a skater looking to develop your technique or an instructor seeking for innovative coaching methods, you’ll find it in The Complete Book of Figure Skating. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Figure Skating
When they say complete they mean it. Having searched the internet for several technical terms I was often frustrated with the limited information. This book not only provides great on ice information but great 360-degree review for the avid skater.

great book of figure skating
It has information to all of the essential movements in figure skating, spins, jumps, footworks. It also has a lot of interesting and related stories to the movements such as Paul Wylie's spread eagle.

A great book for a figure skater.

Figure Skating -
I was disappointed in the book because I wanted it for a new young figure sakter, and I was anticipating more pictures -- this book is very technical and for older skaters.

Not enough detail, some crucial typos
This is a much more visual book than Petkevich's, which has detailed verbal explanations that take a bit of effort to visualize.Unfortunately, some of the pictures in Shulman's book leave large gaps between frames, and it's hard to tell how to get from one position to the next.

There are some editorial or proofing mistakes that really hurt the book.Figure skating spins and jumps are done in one direction (counterclockwise for most, clockwise for some) that the skater chooses early-on in their training.Shulman explains this, and the fact that her directions are for counterclockwise spinners and need to be reversed by clockwise spinners.Unfortunately the picture and directions for the one-footed spin are backwards, and describe a *clockwise* entry and spin when all the other spins are written for counter-clockwise skaters.This will be very confusing for a begining skater who has no coach of their own!

In one or two other places a picture is reversed (mirror image), which again can be very confusing if you're trying to learn on your own and don't know that there's a mistake in the book.

There is a good section on modern off-ice strength training, including periodization.

Overall I'd recommend this book *in conjunction* with Petkevich's book: both have gaps that the other complements.And of course there's no substitute for a real coach!

Excellent book for both parents & skaters
I agree with previous reviews.This is an excellent book for both skaters and their parents.It not only provides detail information and graphics about each move and jump on ice, but also give a good advice on how important it is for off ice training and passion of the sport. ... Read more

Product Description
Young players will refer to these instructive "how-to" guides again and again. Superguides are incisive "how-to" books that answer every question a young sports enthusiast might have! These comprehensive guides in vibrant new jackets and under the new Superguides series title are perfect for young athletes. Young Enthusiasts, the original best-selling series, sold over 3 million copies worldwide. Superguides give valuable advice on everything from suitable clothing to strategy development. Each book includes detailed information on rules, objectives, scoring, and much more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Superguides: Ice Skating
I loved this book! I think that every skater should read this book! I fell in love with skating though this book. Of course, I liked skating before I read this book, but this book showed me that skating was for me!

Techniques and Advanced Skills
Skating on Ice began hundreds of years ago as a way to get from one place to another. The focus of ice skating today is definately more for entertainment, however natural ice rinks form in countries with exceptionally cold winter weather and you can skate outdoors for exercise.

In Toronto and Canada, large areas are flooded during the winter months to make rinks and skating is one of the most popular sports in Canada now. Some of the first World Championships were held in outdoor rinks and for me, ice skating outdoors is ideal. I dream of skating down a frozen lake and did skate as a child on a frozen lake once.

My holiday dreams for the winter are now focusing on a place with an outdoor rink. I say all this to say: Introducing a child to ice skating can give them much pleasure later in life. My parents would drop my brother and I off at the ice rink and we never wanted to leave. My brother taught me to skate backwards which I was very proud of!

This is a sport the whole family can enjoy if parents can find the time to take their children for this fun activity. In this wonderful introduction to skating, children will learn what they will need to be comfortable and warm. I didn't realize an ice-dance blade was different from a free-skating blade. Now, that is information I could have used as a child.

A Warming up section shows children how to stretch to prevent injuries. If you remember your first steps onto the ice, the next section will be very valuable. What happens if your child falls in the middle of the ice rink? If no one is nearby...the picture they show is fine, but if skaters are whizzing by...I would tell children to keep their fingers folded in as they try to get back up. Sometimes you can get knocked back over just as you are getting up, has happened. ;>

This section shows children how to step out onto the ice, how to fall safely, do dips and how to scull. Skating forwards is the basics, but they go into Crossovers, the snowplow, stopping by using a T-stop and a hockey stop. Skating backwards and not falling is exhilirating!

The step-by-step intructions are all illustrated by real skaters. How to place your weight and on what leg is very important for balance. Did you know that edges are the foundation of ice skating? This is what allows skaters to skate curves and circles. Once the forward and backward skating has been mastered, you can move on to turns and then to jumping on ice. I would recommend ice skating classes for sure, however this book will allow the skater to read all about what they are learning in class. It seems to me it would be difficult to learn to do jumps from a book and I don't recommend it.

They do say: "Seek professional coaching before you attempt any of the moves." A glossary gives insight into the language of ice skating. You can look up a sit spin or a waltz hold or even a bunny hop. All I have to say is...why am I here writing a review when I could be skating. ;> I have my eye on a 3-way convertible skate by Hypno (Fila Manufacturer) that has ice blades, inline skates and a boot that detaches. It looks perfect for outdoor sports when you want to put on your shoes and then go outside. You just snap on the wheels or ice blades. If anyone has them, write me and tell me if they are comfortable.

Enjoy this book, it is so informative and will really get you or your children out on the ice! There is nothing cuter than "mini-skaters" with their parents out on the ice. My dad used to skate with us as children. I do miss all those fun times, but that must be why we have children so we can relive our own childhood through the eyes of a child. This is an exciting book on a sport so many love.

I highly recommend this book to any child or adult who wants to find out the basics and all the extras of skating.

~The Rebecca Review

Ice Skating made easy and understandable
Learning to skate is made easy by this guidebook.Everything in iceskating has to do with precise control over edges and clear control overyour body.Many times you might feel out of control when you begin toskate.Not only does this guide help you feel more secure as a skater, youbenefit from clear illustrations of skating moves. I've seen and purchasedother guidebooks, but this one is clearly the best. ... Read more

Product Description
Angelina is planning a New Year’s Eve ice dance for everyone inMouseland. All of her friends are taking part—even little cousin Henry. Buttwo big boys from school keep interrupting their rehearsals. When a giantsnowball fight breaks out, Angelina is sure the dance will be ruined. Willshe find a way to make the show a success? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Angelina and friends ring in the New Year with great style!
In "Angelina Ice Skates", Angelina uses her creativity to rope in two mischievous mice, Spike and Sammy to participate in the New Year's Eve Ice Dance pageant. The illustrations by Helen Craig are beautiful and charming as always and enhance the story. The Angelina series of books are wonderful for preschoolers and up and will appeal to aspiring little dancers, those who love the charming stories of little mice inhabiting a fantasy world, and anyone who appreciate charming stories.

Grandchildren' delight
This was a gift for my grandchildren. They loveAngelina and had recently been ice skating, so the book was an ideal gift.

Skating to New Years!
Angelina loves snowy days and starts to prepare for the New Year's Eve Ice dance with her friends.Two big boys from school ruin the preparations and Angelina's mother suggests that they want attention! This gives Angelina an idea! And at the end of the story she has two more friends!

another great Angelina book
My daughter loved the Angelina books when she was a pre-schooler and continues to love them though she's now in 3rd grade. I love them because the stories are fun,have a nice message, and are beautiful. I particularly like this one because in it Angelina is skating and dealing with annoying boys. This means my daughter can imagine herself Angelina more easily than usual, since she does not take ballet but does skate and has a brother. Hooray for the branching out!

Charming
In this next book in the Angelina Ballerina series, Angelina prepares for the New Year's Eve Ice Dance. It's a lovely pageant, but she repeatedly finds her practice interrupted by Spike and Sammy, two boys from the school. When she complains to her mother, Mrs. Mouseling explains that the two boys just want her attention. And so, Angelina forms a plan to include the two boys...

Once again, I must say that Katherine Holabird sure knows how to write a wonderful story. I liked the lesson of the book, and my daughter and I both loved Helen Craig's illustrations. We highly recommend this book to you. ... Read more

Product Description
A handbook for beginning ice skaters that describes the equipment, skills, and movements necessary for skating for pleasure or in competition. ... Read more

Product Description
Follow the progress of a beginner skating class as Lilly and her friends strap on their skates and take to the ice for the first time. They learn to glide forward and backward, listen, and respond to musical accompaniment, and, finally, show off their jumps and spins in a performance for their parents. Packed with inspiring full-color photographs, Ice Skating School transports young readers into the dazzling world of figure skating. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

BaBYISH
Im a skater and thought this will help me with my skating. It sucked. ... Read more