Double Three Turns in Figure Skating: A Lesson From Paul Wylie (Figures, Moves in the Field)
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- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- In this video, Paul Wylie teaches how to perform the forward outside and forward inside double-three turn figures. Though figures are not performed in ISU competitions, the movements are the foundation of the U.S. Figure Skating moves in the field tests and provide the foundation for free skating.
Three turn:
A three turn is a fundamental figure skating maneuver that involves a skater making a turn in the shape of the number three on the ice. It is a basic and essential element in figure skating, forming the foundation for more advanced moves. Here's a breakdown of how a three turn is typically executed:
Starting Edge: The skater begins on a specific edge, either an inside edge or an outside edge, depending on the direction of the turn.
Weight Shift: The skater shifts their body weight to the skating foot, preparing for the turn.
Turning Action: The skater turns the skating foot, creating a curve on the ice that resembles the shape of the number three. The turn is typically initiated from the toe pick of the skating foot.
Arm and Body Movement: The skater coordinates the turn with the movement of their arms and body to maintain balance and control throughout the maneuver.
Completion: The skater completes the turn by bringing the free foot to the skating foot, ending with both feet parallel.
Three turns can be performed in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, forwards and backwards, and skaters often learn them early in their training. They are foundational to many other figure skating elements and are used as building blocks for more complex moves. Skaters practice three turns extensively to develop proper technique, balance, and control, as these skills are crucial for mastering more advanced aspects of figure skating.
Double three turns:
A double three turn is a type of turn performed on one foot. It is called a "double three" because it consists of two consecutive three-turns. A three-turn is a basic figure skating move where the skater turns in the shape of the number three on the ice.
Here's how a double three turn is typically executed:
Starting Edge: The skater begins on a specific edge, either inside or outside edge, depending on the direction of the turn.
First Three-Turn: The skater executes the first three-turn by shifting their weight and turning the skating foot in the shape of the number three, creating a curve on the ice. This is a basic maneuver in figure skating and is often used as a building block for more advanced moves.
Transition: After completing the first three-turn, the skater transitions smoothly into the second three-turn without putting the free foot down.
Second Three-Turn: The skater executes the second three-turn in the opposite direction, creating another curve on the ice. This completes the double three turn.
The double three turn is commonly included in figure skating routines and is often used as a connecting element between other moves. It requires balance, control, and precise footwork to execute the turns cleanly and with fluidity. Skaters often practice and refine double three turns as part of their foundational skills in figure skating.
Compulsory figures, also known as "school figures" or "patch figures," were a component of competitive figure skating until they were eliminated from international competition in the early 1990s. Compulsory figures were intricate, precise tracings made by skaters on the ice, and they were judged based on accuracy, control, and finesse.
There were several types of compulsory figures, including:
The Circle: Skaters would trace a perfect circle on the ice, maintaining consistent speed and control.
The Figure Eight: This figure involved tracing a double circle, forming a figure-eight pattern on the ice.
Serpentines: Skaters would create a series of connected curves or loops, demonstrating control and symmetry.
Paragraph Loops: Similar to serpentines but with more complex patterns, paragraph loops required precision and skill.
Compulsory figures were an integral part of figure skating competitions for many years. Skaters were judged based on the accuracy of their tracings, clean edges, and the ability to maintain consistent speed and flow. These figures were considered the foundation of a skater's technical ability, emphasizing control, balance, and precision.
In the early 1990s, the International Skating Union (ISU) eliminated compulsory figures from international competition in an effort to make figure skating more audience-friendly and to give more emphasis to the athletic and artistic aspects of the sport. The elimination of compulsory figures marked a significant shift in the sport's competitive format. Today, figure skating competitions focus primarily on the free skate or free dance programs, where skaters showcase their choreography, jumps, spins, and overall performance.
Resource:
DOUBLE THREES: THE LOST ART OF SKATING FIGURES - Lynne Kuechle:
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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.
It was amazing to see how much improvement there was in the space of one lesson
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!!!
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!
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.
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🤩
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!
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