Throughout the Olympics, you are able to see many athletes from different sports and the skills that they possess to be successful in their specific sport. Throughout the Games, there seem to be general attributes from every sport that can be seen when we are talking about skating in general.

Whether it’s skiing or speedskating, there are important attributes to be learned that go hand-in-hand with skating. First, you will notice how every athlete is able to not only have an exceptional knee bend, but have the flexibility and strength to be able to stay in that position during fatigue as well. Knee bend, of course, is the key to power when skating. 

You will also notice how athletes are able to exhibit an extreme body lean to the playing surface. Cutting the angle of the body to the playing surface will increase speed. 

Finally, you will be able to see how strong each athlete’s edges are. Between downhill skiing and speedskating, the athletes are cornering at much higher speeds than hockey players. You will notice how the athletes have an amazing amount of edge strength to be able hold such tight corners.  

You will also notice that in each sport, every athlete has exceptional core and body control. This is extremely important when skating and is one of the major keys in all of the transition work that goes into hockey. If a ski jumper can control their upper body while traveling over 150 yards, skaters should be able to control their core when turning from backwards to forwards. 

You will notice there is no unnecessary movement or wasted motions. This is what gives the perception of someone making their craft look easy. When a skater makes difficult movements look easy, it is because of their ability to keep their body controlled and balanced.

Finally, it all comes down to execution. We practice to make permanent so things become second nature. Figure skating is a great example. Everyone knows what jump you are going to do next – you either land it or you don’t. The better your skating becomes, the more prepared and likely you will be able to execute any given skill.

Remember, when you watch these athletes, years and countless practice hours have gone into preparation. The one thing you hear from all the athletes (especially the snowborders) is that the importance of practice and how they needed to get just one more practice session in. Hopefully you were able to watch, learn and enjoy the Games!   

Andy Ness is the head skating and skill coach for the Minnesota Wild. He has also been an assistant skating instructor for the New Jersey Devils, the University of Minnesota men’s and women’s hockey teams and the U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team.