Whether you want to learn how to figure skate or just become a better ice skating fan, Kristi Yamaguchi's "Figure Skating for Dummies" scores top marks.
This 350-page book is packed with clear, concise information, fun-to-read sidebars, black and white photos of Olympic gold medallist Kristi Yamaguchi demonstrating her skating moves, ice skating cartoons, and how-to diagrams. It’s perfect for new and aspiring skaters, as well as fans who just want to learn how to recognize the various jumps and spins.
So You Want to Skate!
“Figure Skating for Dummies” starts with a brief history of the sport, and explains what “figures” are and why they’re no longer used in competitive figure skating. (The quick answer: They’re not as fun to watch on television as the dramatic musical programs fans have come to love.) This section also covers:
- figure skating equipment (boots, blades, and clothing)
- how to choose a coach, and get the most from lessons
- training off-ice for strength and flexibility
- guidelines on nutrition, and a caution against eating disorders
- tips for preventing and treating common skating injuries
Basic Figure Skating
This section starts with basic moves, such as stroking (skating across the ice), turning, skating backward, and the all-important stopping. Although these moves sound simple on paper, even the basics require a lot of practice. As Kristi says, “The first lesson you work on is forward stroking, yet it is something that is so important that I work on it everyday.”
Figure Skating Spins
Once skaters have mastered these moves, Kristi explains the various types of figure skating spins, including:
- upright (or scratch) spins
- sit spins
- camel spins
- flying spins
- death drops
- combination spins
Kristi gives tips for getting into and out of spins, using the proper part of the blade, maintaining good speed and position, and coping with getting dizzy. She also includes some interesting information on special spins made famous by individual skaters, such as Dorothy Hamill’s flying camel/sit spin combination, the Hamill camel.
Figure Skating Jumps
Next, Kristi covers the six figure skating jumps, which include three toepick jumps (those that use the tip of the blade to assist in takeoff) and edge jumps (those that don’t). Each jump uses a different combination of takeoff and landing positions. Only the axel jump starts with the skater going forward, and all jumps finish on the back outside edge of the blade.
Edge jumps:
- axel (forward outside edge takeoff; opposite foot landing)
- salchow (back inside edge takeoff; opposite foot landing)
- loop (back outside edge takeoff; same foot landing)
Toepick jumps:
- top loop (back outside edge takeoff; same foot landing)
- flip (back inside edge takeoff; opposite foot landing)
- lutz (back outside edge takeoff; opposite foot landing)
Each jump has photos and diagrams explaining how to do it. (Fans can turn to the “Judging for Yourself” chapter for tips on recognizing each jump.)
The next two chapters cover pair skating moves and ice dancing.
Competitive Figure Skating
“Figure Skating for Dummies” also offers advice for:
- choreographing programs
- choosing music
- choosing costumes
- understanding judging
- understanding competitions (including amateur vs. pro status)
Although some of the judging information has been made obsolete by the new scoring system, much of what the judges (and fans) look for in a figure skating program still holds.
Figure Skating Facts
“Figure Skating for Dummies” concludes with a wealth of information, including:
- tips for how to figure skate better
- tips for watching figure skating
- hints from Kristi Yamaguchi’s mother for parenting young figure skaters
- test requirements for competitive figure skating
- figure skating websites
- a glossary of figure skating terms
- a thorough index
