The problem is access to practice space. There's a roller rink nearby, but skating in a circle is torture.
Showing posts with label my skating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label my skating. Show all posts
Friday, January 12, 2018
PIC skates
I don't think I ever posted this. This was from 2014, in my garage. I never really did much with these skates because I went back into derby shortly after. I wonder if I could make this happen again...
The problem is access to practice space. There's a roller rink nearby, but skating in a circle is torture.
The problem is access to practice space. There's a roller rink nearby, but skating in a circle is torture.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
HoopSkating
What the hell, I'll post this, no one's reading anyway. My camera was acting up, turning itself off after about a minute. I didn't get much video because I didn't realize it was no longer recording. I have this video, a 30 second video, and a 16 second video. Stupid camera.
This is the whole video, it cuts out on its own. It's not pretty. Hoopskating is difficult. My garage is not ideal, the ceilings are too low. And it's hot. I suppose if I had an outdoor practice space, it would be just as hot.
Anyway, here's my attempt at hoopskating. Without an ideal practice space, not sure how quickly I'll improve. But it's fun!
This is the whole video, it cuts out on its own. It's not pretty. Hoopskating is difficult. My garage is not ideal, the ceilings are too low. And it's hot. I suppose if I had an outdoor practice space, it would be just as hot.
Anyway, here's my attempt at hoopskating. Without an ideal practice space, not sure how quickly I'll improve. But it's fun!
Monday, January 16, 2017
0-4
That's my record. I'm not an ultra competitive person. But I'm kinda feeling like bad luck for whatever team I'm on. I'm the reason we lose. I know I shouldn't think that. Tell that to my brain. Go ahead. I'll wait.
Here's the thing, when I watch derby, it LOOKS fun. And I had fun at my first bout, legit fun. At the holiday bout, I mostly had fun. I wish I'd played better. But I had fun overall.
Did I have fun yesterday at our invitational? No. Not really. Thursday's meltdown was still plaguing me. I was ashamed to show my face, to put skates on. At least neither coach made any attempt to get me to take that stupid jammer panty.
I skated terribly in the first game. Game 2 was co-ed, so I sat out. I FEEL like I skated better, with more intensity, in game 3. I took some hard falls, some at the hands of my teammates. It happens. If I can do anything, it's fall without hurting myself.
It's taking considerable effort to focus on the positives of yesterday's invitational. I can think of two. Both from game 3.
I do remember one particular moment, their jammer had just gotten through, so I turned around looking for my jammer. Here she comes. I locked shoulders with an opponent, attempting to hold her off so my jammer could get through. I was aware enough to stagger my legs, use my back leg toe stop to slow us down but not stop altogether (no stop block penalty). My jammer got through. I made a quick mental note to myself, that was effective.
All I want is to be effective. Reliably effective.
The very last jam I skated in, we were holding that jammer well. Someone looked at me when we lined up and said, she hits hard, be ready. So when the whistle blew, I shoved into her as she hit me. Hammer and nail. We held her for nearly a full lap, she was getting so tired. I almost felt bad for her. Then I heard my teammates panicking and shouting, panty pass! I had been looking over my left shoulder when I heard it, then I looked over my right and saw their pivot. I remember thinking, oh no they're not! And shoved their pivot out of bounds. It helped delay the panty pass. By the time they were able, the jam was over.
My husband came for the first game. Pity he only got to see me play like crap. He took some video, but it's nothing exciting. Except I looked good in my new shiny gold shorts. Damn good.
And the feels with this photo...that's my captain holding onto me, I knock the jammer down (she fell to the inside in the next moment, this is a video screen capture), but I don't go out of bounds. #teamwork
Here's the thing, when I watch derby, it LOOKS fun. And I had fun at my first bout, legit fun. At the holiday bout, I mostly had fun. I wish I'd played better. But I had fun overall.
Did I have fun yesterday at our invitational? No. Not really. Thursday's meltdown was still plaguing me. I was ashamed to show my face, to put skates on. At least neither coach made any attempt to get me to take that stupid jammer panty.
I skated terribly in the first game. Game 2 was co-ed, so I sat out. I FEEL like I skated better, with more intensity, in game 3. I took some hard falls, some at the hands of my teammates. It happens. If I can do anything, it's fall without hurting myself.
It's taking considerable effort to focus on the positives of yesterday's invitational. I can think of two. Both from game 3.
I do remember one particular moment, their jammer had just gotten through, so I turned around looking for my jammer. Here she comes. I locked shoulders with an opponent, attempting to hold her off so my jammer could get through. I was aware enough to stagger my legs, use my back leg toe stop to slow us down but not stop altogether (no stop block penalty). My jammer got through. I made a quick mental note to myself, that was effective.
All I want is to be effective. Reliably effective.
The very last jam I skated in, we were holding that jammer well. Someone looked at me when we lined up and said, she hits hard, be ready. So when the whistle blew, I shoved into her as she hit me. Hammer and nail. We held her for nearly a full lap, she was getting so tired. I almost felt bad for her. Then I heard my teammates panicking and shouting, panty pass! I had been looking over my left shoulder when I heard it, then I looked over my right and saw their pivot. I remember thinking, oh no they're not! And shoved their pivot out of bounds. It helped delay the panty pass. By the time they were able, the jam was over.
My husband came for the first game. Pity he only got to see me play like crap. He took some video, but it's nothing exciting. Except I looked good in my new shiny gold shorts. Damn good.
And the feels with this photo...that's my captain holding onto me, I knock the jammer down (she fell to the inside in the next moment, this is a video screen capture), but I don't go out of bounds. #teamwork
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Twas the Fight Before Christmas
Well, I finally got to skate this. I went as a spectator four years ago. And have wanted to do it since. This was my chance. It was fun. I was nervous. I played well the first half, maybe not so well the second half. I'm hoping the photographer there will post some nice photos. Meantime, husband got these shots and video. It was his first time ever seeing me skate.
My first jam. I got goated. Guess I'll be practicing as jammer more often, to get better at getting through. But one of them got a multi player block while goating me. I legit said, BYE, as she skated off. Trash talk much?
One of the jams, I was pivot. And I got sent to the penalty box. I've never experienced this. Our practice scrimmages, we don't have a full bout production with refs and NSOs, so our penalty box is a carpet lap. And at my first bout, I didn't get sent to the box.
And to continue, the jam started with me in the box. I got some good hits to the jammer without going out of bounds. Even when the other team did a panty switch. That #69 is some amazing jammer. Is she B team material? HAHA not even close. But my guess is we didn't have a full roster of true B team skaters. Also, I get low blocked in this. The refs don't see it. And that voice you can hear hollering, "LOW BLOCK" from the fans? That's my lovely teammate. She skated on A team.
And then there was this little gem against us. Impressive. Definitely some A level badasses showing off. Hell, I would too.
My first jam. I got goated. Guess I'll be practicing as jammer more often, to get better at getting through. But one of them got a multi player block while goating me. I legit said, BYE, as she skated off. Trash talk much?
One of the jams, I was pivot. And I got sent to the penalty box. I've never experienced this. Our practice scrimmages, we don't have a full bout production with refs and NSOs, so our penalty box is a carpet lap. And at my first bout, I didn't get sent to the box.
And to continue, the jam started with me in the box. I got some good hits to the jammer without going out of bounds. Even when the other team did a panty switch. That #69 is some amazing jammer. Is she B team material? HAHA not even close. But my guess is we didn't have a full roster of true B team skaters. Also, I get low blocked in this. The refs don't see it. And that voice you can hear hollering, "LOW BLOCK" from the fans? That's my lovely teammate. She skated on A team.
And then there was this little gem against us. Impressive. Definitely some A level badasses showing off. Hell, I would too.
Action shots! I'm the one wearing the gold helmet.
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Parade
I finally got to skate in a parade! I have wanted to do this for years, back when I first started derby. But with that league, you had to have passed assessments in order to skate. The league I'm with now probably would have let me had I not officially passed. But I've passed, so...
It was tough. Well, the toughest bit was getting down the parking lot of the church onto the street, since it was so steep. Once on the street, I was fine. Except my wheels are super soft, like 62s. Each stroke was very sticky and really worked my glutes and thighs. A harder wheel probably would have been easier.
It was tough. Well, the toughest bit was getting down the parking lot of the church onto the street, since it was so steep. Once on the street, I was fine. Except my wheels are super soft, like 62s. Each stroke was very sticky and really worked my glutes and thighs. A harder wheel probably would have been easier.
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
back on the ice
Geez. I haven't been skating since Oct 14. 3+ weeks. Yikes. First, I wasn't feeling well that week. Skating and sweating in a cold rink is not the best idea when you're under the weather. Then time just got away from me. The new rink I skate at is a 50 min drive, and it's dreadful. I let my dread of the drive keep me from skating. I need to get me some books on CD to make that drive more pleasant.
I went skating today. Decent session considering how long I've been off ice. I did a couple scratch spins. Perfectly centered, mostly. Not much toe pick scraping. yay!
I went skating today. Decent session considering how long I've been off ice. I did a couple scratch spins. Perfectly centered, mostly. Not much toe pick scraping. yay!
My back scratch was not happening. My outside alternating 3's need work still. I struggle with that back inside edge control. But my back 3's were superb. I'm getting a lot better at holding the forward edge.
Then I worked on the Dutch Waltz and Canasta Tango. There's a dance camp weekend next June that I want to prep for. It's good to have goals. I don't want to be such a dance newbie when I go. Definitely need to call up the dance coach for some private lessons soon.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Forward Inside, Back Outside Threes
Finally took some more video of myself skating. Working on that FIBO 3-turn pattern. It's tough. My consolation is I don't look as awkward as I feel. But my back 3's need a lot of practice.
First up, my good side on the FI and bad side on the BO. (RFI-LBO)
By good side, I mean it feels less awkward. And by bad side, I lose my balance a bit and have to put my foot down. A lot. Maybe if I really exaggerate the knee bend after the turn, it'll be easier. See, this is why I like video of myself. It reassures me in some areas and helps me critique in others.
Next up, my bad side on the FI and good side on the BO. (LFI-RBO)
But I struggle to control that forward edge on this BO turn. It's swingy. I know I should hold my left arm in front, but I just can't. The force pulls it around. I'll keep trying.
(funny, they both look about equal...equally bad or equally good, depending on how pessimistic I'm feeling at the moment)
oh, and a bonus...my dutch waltz. I go off camera a bit, so I cropped that out, but I got most of the ice within view. (I'm the one coming into view at the far right...)
First up, my good side on the FI and bad side on the BO. (RFI-LBO)
By good side, I mean it feels less awkward. And by bad side, I lose my balance a bit and have to put my foot down. A lot. Maybe if I really exaggerate the knee bend after the turn, it'll be easier. See, this is why I like video of myself. It reassures me in some areas and helps me critique in others.
Next up, my bad side on the FI and good side on the BO. (LFI-RBO)
But I struggle to control that forward edge on this BO turn. It's swingy. I know I should hold my left arm in front, but I just can't. The force pulls it around. I'll keep trying.
(funny, they both look about equal...equally bad or equally good, depending on how pessimistic I'm feeling at the moment)
oh, and a bonus...my dutch waltz. I go off camera a bit, so I cropped that out, but I got most of the ice within view. (I'm the one coming into view at the far right...)
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Back Three Turns
Ah, scratch spins. Will these ever be consistent? I did one semi-great one today, super fast and controlled. My free leg and arm position need a bit of improvement. Did a few other decent ones, but I can hear my toe pick scraping. And completely fell out of a few others.
Forget my back spin today. I was making progress Tuesday. Today, it just wasn't happening. Annoying.
But my back 3's are making considerable progress. Back outside, I mean. I can't do the inside ones yet. So right foot, which turns counter-clockwise, is fine. I struggle to control the forward inside edge after the turn. It's a bit swingy. But I'm working on it.
However that left foot, clockwise turn, has never been close. I keep coming up on my toe pick. Maddening. Even on two feet. After about 10 mins of trying it over and over, I was standing there thinking, not moving. I went through the motions of the turn on two feet and did it just fine. Why on earth can I do the turn not moving? I did a few more. Then I tried with two feet extremely slowly. Perfect. Every few turns, I would add a touch more speed, until I was doing them normally with two feet.
Time to try one foot. MUCH better. Still not quite there. But I'm hardly coming up on my toe pick. The last few I did, I had a tiny flow of edge after the turn before I had to put my free foot down. Then the session ended. But I'm happy. It's incredibly frustrating to practice something over and over and not see a lick of progress. Then when I see even a tiny bit of progress, I relax a bit. I'll get these. Eventually.
Forget my back spin today. I was making progress Tuesday. Today, it just wasn't happening. Annoying.
But my back 3's are making considerable progress. Back outside, I mean. I can't do the inside ones yet. So right foot, which turns counter-clockwise, is fine. I struggle to control the forward inside edge after the turn. It's a bit swingy. But I'm working on it.
However that left foot, clockwise turn, has never been close. I keep coming up on my toe pick. Maddening. Even on two feet. After about 10 mins of trying it over and over, I was standing there thinking, not moving. I went through the motions of the turn on two feet and did it just fine. Why on earth can I do the turn not moving? I did a few more. Then I tried with two feet extremely slowly. Perfect. Every few turns, I would add a touch more speed, until I was doing them normally with two feet.
Time to try one foot. MUCH better. Still not quite there. But I'm hardly coming up on my toe pick. The last few I did, I had a tiny flow of edge after the turn before I had to put my free foot down. Then the session ended. But I'm happy. It's incredibly frustrating to practice something over and over and not see a lick of progress. Then when I see even a tiny bit of progress, I relax a bit. I'll get these. Eventually.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Meh
Every skater has good practice sessions and bad. Today was my turn for a bad session. I skated for 80 minutes. I worked hard. But nothing was clicking.
Never fails...set the camera, finally start seeing improvement in your back scratch, get excited to watch, only to discover you double-clicked the record button and got nothing. *grumble*
Today's skate...meh. I was getting so frustrated with my lack of ability to control the back inside edge from a simple outside 3-turn. grrr. I'll never get that back choctaw step. I discovered I lower my back arm too much, bringing down my hip to the inside of the circle. I was correcting that by keeping that back arm higher. Nice, controlled edge. Then I tried it with the alternating 3's again and just could.not.do it.
Not much improvement on my scratch spins. My arms are still too high on the entrance, free skate too low, and not enough speed. Coach has been trying to get me to do this spin with the arms finishing overhead. Here's the best of the bunch:
Working on a spread eagle from back crossovers. ick. Needs serious work. And see how sweaty I am? ugh.
Never fails...set the camera, finally start seeing improvement in your back scratch, get excited to watch, only to discover you double-clicked the record button and got nothing. *grumble*
Today's skate...meh. I was getting so frustrated with my lack of ability to control the back inside edge from a simple outside 3-turn. grrr. I'll never get that back choctaw step. I discovered I lower my back arm too much, bringing down my hip to the inside of the circle. I was correcting that by keeping that back arm higher. Nice, controlled edge. Then I tried it with the alternating 3's again and just could.not.do it.
Not much improvement on my scratch spins. My arms are still too high on the entrance, free skate too low, and not enough speed. Coach has been trying to get me to do this spin with the arms finishing overhead. Here's the best of the bunch:
Working on a spread eagle from back crossovers. ick. Needs serious work. And see how sweaty I am? ugh.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Freestyle Video
Finally got some video of my skating. Basic consensus...I need to bend my knees more and keep my arms lower. oy. Like to the point of exaggeration, and then maybe it will look right. And work on controlling these open hips of mine.
Infamous alternating 3's...outside and inside. That back choctaw from my left foot to my right foot...I just cannot get this. I keep stepping down. Holding that back inside edge with proper check is a struggle for me. Hopefully the above corrections will help next session.
Scratch spin...coach is trying to get me to raise my arms above my head, but that is not going so well. So for now, traditional arms, but I'm still entering the spin with my arms too high.
8-step mohawk pattern...I love outside mohawks, but my backward inside mohawk needs work. Again, bending my knees should help.
Back to basics, I wanted to see my forward crossovers. They were actually feeling not so awkward while the camera was rolling, and they don't look bad. I guess I got lucky cuz they often feel awkward. Especially the clockwise ones. But I really need to work on holding the underpush.
And finally, a baby back scratch...
Infamous alternating 3's...outside and inside. That back choctaw from my left foot to my right foot...I just cannot get this. I keep stepping down. Holding that back inside edge with proper check is a struggle for me. Hopefully the above corrections will help next session.
Scratch spin...coach is trying to get me to raise my arms above my head, but that is not going so well. So for now, traditional arms, but I'm still entering the spin with my arms too high.
8-step mohawk pattern...I love outside mohawks, but my backward inside mohawk needs work. Again, bending my knees should help.
Back to basics, I wanted to see my forward crossovers. They were actually feeling not so awkward while the camera was rolling, and they don't look bad. I guess I got lucky cuz they often feel awkward. Especially the clockwise ones. But I really need to work on holding the underpush.
And finally, a baby back scratch...