The Figure Skating Book: A Young Person's Guide to Figure Skating (Young Performer's Guides (Paperback))

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This very personal explanation of figure skating directly addresses potential skaters with forthright statements such as, "Please do not let anyone talk you into shaving off your toe picks." Author and Olympic silver medalist Wilkes gives specific advice on which skates to buy (expensive), how to find a skating club, and skating technique--from the most basic glide to complicated maneuvers. The step-by-step instructions will obviously be difficult to use while skating, but they may help young skaters think through what they will try when they are on the ice. Unfortunately, the photographs are often grainy and gray, though the overall layout of the book is handsome. A good additional purchase for libraries where interest in skating is high. Susan Dove Lempke
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Kathyrn Canavan, Wilmington News Journal, Dec 12, 1999
An indispensable guide for would-be skaters. The book explains everything from breaking in your skates to choosing a skating club. With excellent illustrations it explains in step-by-step detail the basic skating steps and several advanced moves.


Book Description
"The Figure Skating Book" explains the commonly performed jumps, spins and pairs moves. With detailed instructions for each maneuver, and useful line drawings for all the steps involved. The lively text also outlines some of the history of each move, explaining who made it famous and how. For instance, the Axel is named after Axel Paulsen, the Norwegian skater who invented the jump, and Kurt Browning was the first skater to successfully land a quadruple jump in competition. The first chapter, Getting Started, includes information about buying the proper equipment and clothing. The Basics explains gliding, stopping, backward stroking and cross-cuts. Turns discusses a variety of turns for the beginner skater, while Jumps offers moves such as the waltz jump, Salchow, toe loop, Lutz and Axel. Spins and Field Moves, details pivots and footwork steps, and Dance introduces the reader to pairs moves. The final chapter gives helpful tips on choosing a skating club and coach, as well as fitness preparation and injury prevention. As Wilkes points out in her introduction, there's just something totally intoxicating about skating. It's magical and lovely, physical yet artistic, fresh and wholesome and with enough speed and power in the mix to make it dangerous. When a skater finally gets control, the sense of accomplishment is enormous. Skaters and fans at all skill and ages will increase their knowledge and understanding by following lessons in this book. Debbi Wilkes is a broadcaster and teacher who has been immersed in figure skating since childhood. Together with her skating partner, Guy Revell, Wilkes is a past North American champion and received a silver medal at the 1964 Olympic Games in Innsbruck. She has a masters degree in communications from Michigan State University, and appears regularly on television as a color commentator, covering the Olympic Games. She is also the host of television's very popular program on figure skating, "Ice Time."


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An indispensable guide for would-be skaters. The book explains everything from breaking in your skates to choosing a skating club. With excellent illustrations it explains in step-by-step detail the basic skating steps and several advanced moves.


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