LOOPS, FORWARD.
The importance of loops cannot be exaggerated. They are in some respects
more important than the threes, which precede them. They are an entirely
different balance from figures to which they are very similar and for
that reason alone are important. If, for instance, one has been
practising threes and then goes to loops, the different balance is so
great as to disturb the proper execution of either figure. Of course,
when one becomes expert they can do any figure they select, in any
order. The amateur and the beginner, however, will do well to separate
the time of practising certain contrasting figures.
One day make special effort to master the threes, forward and backward.
Do but little else. Memorize the correct balance, the correct carriage
of the balance foot, the body and the arms. Do no loops that day.
Another day specialize on loops, making no threes, but studying most
carefully the correct carriage for loops. Threes and loops are hard
figures to practise in sequence although there will come a time in the
progress of the amateur when one of the most interesting and beautiful
figures he can do will be a combination of three, loop and three. The
single threes, however, and the single loops are a different balance
from combination three, loop and threes.
In learning the placing of either threes or loops or brackets, it is
important that the beginner have in mind the fact that they should be
executed at the far ends of the figure in which they are placed. The
length of the curve or part of the circle after the three or loop ought
to be the same as before the three or loop. The loop ought not to be at
the end of a long spiral. Correct tracing of the figure on the ice is a
fundamental part of true continental form in skating.
[Illustration:
LOOP. Right outside edge forward, loop, outside forward. (ROFLOF)
]
Start on the right foot, outside edge, forward, as for the circle eight
on that foot, but soon begin to twist the shoulders toward the centre of
the circle. The balance leg should be carried behind and not far out or
it will have a tendency to swing the skater into a three instead of a
loop. As the loop is started the skating leg should be bent
considerably. When the loop is half finished the balance foot which has
been swinging around is brought past the skating foot, close to it and
vigorously but deliberately thrust forward outside the curve which forms
the finish of the figure. At the same time the arms should be brought in
close to the body and the body straightened up, which will give added
impetus for the correct curve to the starting point.
The difficulties in the performance of the loops will be met in the
correction of balance at the middle of the loop and the completion of a
full curve after the loop. These difficulties can be lessened by much
careful study of the right principles before the figure is attempted and
by repeated practising over and over again after the correct balance has
been learned. When the correct loop movements are once attained it is
best to continue practising them before other different balances are
allowed to interfere with their complete mastery.
The inside forward loops are started differently from the inside circles
as the shoulders should face the centre of the circle right from the
start. The skating knee should be well bent and the balance of the body
should be strongly forward until half of the loop has been completed.
Then the balance foot, which has been carried behind and outside the
print, describes a small, quick circle directly over the loop and is
thrust well forward, across and outside the print. The shoulders,
however, remain twisted toward the centre of the circle. The balance of
the body before the inside forward loop is strongly forward; after the
loop it is strongly backward. After the loop is made straighten the body
up and bring the arms quickly to the sides of the body; the first
movement adds impetus and the second tends to prevent the following
curve from becoming a spiral. Loops should be made on a strong edge.
After the loop is made less edge is required; in fact as little edge as
can be used to follow the correct curve of the circle back to the
starting point.
[Illustration:
LOOP. Left inside forward, loop, inside forward. (LIFLIF)
]
Loops are somewhat dependent upon the freedom with which the skater is
able to control his ankles. They should not be held too stiffly in these
figures since a firm edge is needed even in the small circles which will
be formed and there is change of the balance from the forward to the
backward part of the blade, or vice versa, in the various loops. There
should be no noticeable pause at the centre of the loop. The balance
foot should not be employed to jerk the skater out of the loop into the
finish of the circle.