Sitz and Flipz

With all the extra stuff I've been doing lately like stretching and working on the flexibility in my ankle, I'm finally seeing some noticeable improvements. One of the most obvious signs of improvement is that I'm just more comfortable on the ice overall. When my joints are stiff, I don't feel as though I have much control over anything but now I feel more pliable and able to save a landing or control a spin slightly better. I feel stronger and it's nice :)

Lessonz: Since Christopher saw my sit spin video, that's what he wanted to start with. I'm still not holding that LFO entry edge long enough and, even though the spin in the video was centered, most of the ones I do still travel. So, back to the blue line! Things to remember include keeping my left arm out in front, keeping my free leg out behind me as long as possible instead of swinging it around, and hold hold hold that entry edge. Doing a sit spin from a stand still is a lot more difficult than from the wind-up. Ugh. So much work to do on this! It sounds like he wants to get it to the point that we can add it to the Geisha program for Midwestern Sectionals. So, yeah, I'll be spending a lot of time on this for sure. We moved on to the flip jump. He asked to see one and I was able to do one that was decent (and by decent I mean it was at least landed on one foot). When I skated back to him he said "that's a lot better than what I'm used to seeing" (thanks?). There is still a lot of work to be done on this, though. He got the iPad out and did some Dartfish video and my free leg is so high right before I pick in! We worked on getting rid of that mule kick because not only does it look atrocious but it actually prevents me from having control over the jump. Ideally, the pick-in technique I use for the half flip should be the same as for the full flip. Again, I'm making things more difficult than they need to be. We also worked on a better check after the mohawk so that's another thing to keep in mind when I practice. We talked briefly about jumps for Sectionals and he mentioned a flip combo of some sort (yikes). I have until March so if I really put the time in and practice with a purpose I think it's an achievable goal.