Hockey Skating Journal 001

3 March 2026

• Exercise 1: I tried forward figure eights over a hockey stick today. They were more difficult than I imagined. They require an inexperienced skater like me to find a rhythm. My turning radius felt way too small though I imagine that I could improve my small area skating and edge control with these.
• Exercise 2: I also tried transitions around the hockey stick. Once again, the turning radius required to make that sort of turn felt too small for me. I felt unstable as I transitioned. It all felt too small for me.
• Reflection 1: 
• I will allow myself a larger turning radius but will still place the stick at the center point where the figure eight crosses. 
• I will need to get a bit lower with better shin angle. 
• Need to find exercises to help with the burning in my legs.
• Reflection 2:
• I will allow a larger turning radius.
• Place stick parallel to hashmarks next to faceoff circles.
• New learning! Right after pivoting (which is initiated before the 12 o'clock mark), I should use a c-cut to widen base stabilize balance. It actually happens almost automatically.