BRACKETS.
It is most important, in learning the school figures in the correct
continental style, to remember that all the school figures should be
done in large size. The matter of size is, in fact, one of the first
essentials in the correct performance of the continental school figures.
It is told me that the American tendency is to skate all figures much
smaller than they are skated in Europe. When the fact is realized that
after the figures are learned in large size it is comparatively easy to
skate them small, and that it is almost impossible to skate them large
after they have been learned small, the importance of practising all
figures large is realized.
In all simple figures of large size the carriage of the head and
shoulders is of the utmost importance. For the purposes of this argument
the brackets may be regarded as simple figures; they are much less
difficult than many somewhat similar school figures. In the execution of
small figures the carriage of the balance leg and the arms is of greater
importance than the carriage of the shoulders and head. It is, of
course, true that no figures can be done correctly, either small or
large, unless both head and shoulders and balance leg are correctly
poised, but the relative importance of the parts of the body is as
stated.
While the turn of the threes is a natural turn, the turn of the brackets
is an unnatural turn. That is, the tendency of the body when one strikes
out on a right outside forward edge is to revolve toward the right. But
to make a bracket on that foot and that edge the turn of the body must
be toward the left. It will be seen, therefore, that the stroke is
similar, as to the edges employed, to the threes, but that the turn of
the body is in the opposite direction. The diagram clearly explains this
peculiar turn. There are eight brackets for the skater to master—four on
each foot—two beginning forward and two beginning backward; two starting
on outside and two starting on inside edges.
There are slight differences of opinion among the experts of Europe as
to the manner in which the balance foot should be carried in some of the
brackets. When one reaches a certain degree of proficiency in skating
there is reasonable freedom allowed for individual preferences in
balance. Sometimes these preferences are purely physical and sometimes
they are based upon a difference of opinion as to which is the more
graceful or effective performance.
The difference between the execution of the threes and the brackets is
illustrated in the matter of carrying the shoulders better than in any
other way. For the threes the shoulders are turned well toward the
three; for the brackets they are turned away from, that is, flat with
it. It is a most important difference to remember, and on its
remembrance is based all successful skating of brackets. Another general
truth of bracket skating is that the balance foot should be very close
to, sometimes directly over, the skating foot at the time when the
bracket is being made. This is done by bringing the balance foot slowly
up to and sometimes slightly in front of the skating foot just before
the bracket is made.
For the outside forward bracket start as for the outside forward circle,
but begin immediately to flatten the shoulders with the print. Just
before the bracket bring the balance foot, which has been carried
behind, past the skating foot, close to it and glance momentarily at the
place where the bracket is to be located. At the bracket the body should
be flat with the circle, the balance on the forward part of the blade
and strongly leaning toward the centre of the circle. After the bracket
the balance foot should follow the skating foot, across the print, and
the general position for the inside backward circle be maintained to the
end of the curve.
The complementary half of this figure is skated backward, and begins
therefore on an inside backward edge in which a bracket is made to the
outside forward edge on the same foot. The general directions for the
inside edge circles backward should be followed at the start, always
remembering that the body must be turned gradually so as to be flat with
the circle at the time the bracket is made.
[Illustration:
BRACKET. Right outside edge, forward, bracket, inside backward.
(ROFBIB)
]
Just before the bracket is made the balance foot is brought toward,
close to and past the skating foot and slightly turned outward. This
bracket is made on the extreme back part of the blade of the skate.
After the bracket the balance foot is carried behind, across the print
and the curve finished as in the outside edge forward circle. Strong
bending of the skating knee at the time of the inside backward bracket
and straightening up after the bracket will assist in the execution of
this figure.
The inside forward bracket is started as for the inside circle, with
attention to the flattening of the shoulders in line with the circle;
the balance shoulder must be twisted forward. The balance foot is
carried behind until just before the bracket, then it is carried past
and close to the skating foot. This bracket is made on the forward part
of the blade and the skating knee should be well bent during its
execution. After the bracket the balance foot is carried in front for a
little distance then is slowly moved past the skating foot with the knee
turned out in the correct position for the outside backward circle. This
is the easiest of the brackets and may be practised first if desired. It
is so placed in some of the competitions.
The complementary figure to the above is the outside backward bracket.
This is the most difficult of the brackets. Start as for the outside
backward circle, but very soon bring the balance foot slightly past the
skating foot and flatten the shoulders toward the circle, not away from
it; in some respects the most difficult of school figure positions. This
bracket is made on the extreme backward part of the blade. The balance
foot is kept close to the skating foot during the bracket. After it,
bend the skating knee momentarily so as to gain power when the body is
straightened up for the inside forward portion of the figure. The
balance foot should be carried behind and across the print after the
bracket for about one-half of the curve, then brought forward and across
the print in the correct position for the inside forward circle.
In all brackets the carriage of the arms is very important. They should
not be permitted to swing the body off the correct balance. As a general
rule the arm on the side of the body which is leading should be extended
well in front and in direct line with the circle, the other arm being
held not far from the body. After the bracket the other arm should be
extended over the print. Brackets are one of the few school figures
which may be practised with a partner to mutual benefit.