Dance Seminar Report - Obertsdorf.
Firstly, we would like to say a big thank you to NISA for giving us coaches, Gary Jones, Neil Chilcott, Andrew Smykowski, Doreen Hoppe and skaters Joseph Buckland, Georgia Robinson, Rory Shanahan, Kate Louise Bagnall, Richard Sharpe, Sophie Jones, Sarah Coward and Michael Coward, the opportunity of sending us to the ISU Dance Seminar, Obertsdorf.
Robbie Kaine, Carol Lane, Viktor Kratz, Rostislav Sinitsin and Jimmy Young our moderators on ice, gave a thorough and well planned seminar. Kerstin Kneppler put the skaters through their paces in the ballet section and Ronald Keipert for ballroom. A very constructive 11 days in the picturesque resort of Obertsdorf. A training centre which consists of 3 rinks one of which is mirrored and proved very helpful to the skaters.Plus off ice facilities.
We, as coaches all gained different ideas that were put to us, and our vision opened us up to other avenues that we are able to put into use with all our skaters. Gary Jones said, " I found the seminar interesting in many ways as it confirmed to my athletes the importance of basic skills. It taught my athletes punctuality and how to respect fellow coaches. It was overall a great learning curve for all." Neil Chilcott said " Very good experience to work with top coaches. I felt I was teaching the same way as the moderators and good to learn what their main emphasis was. Good to see the British skaters just as good as the rest of the world." Andrew Smykowski said, "I enjoyed the seminar and found it interesting having different coaches from different nations in the way they taught. Emphasis on repetition on a single activity and single technical point. The demonstration from Viktor Kratz on his depth of power and progression of strike was useful as a visual guide."
The emphasis was highlighted in great depth, the importance of basic skating skills to be able to produce a world class performer. Many exercises were shown to help create better circles, depth of edge, knee bend, awareness of upper body control, long and short axis, all turns for entry and exit edges, basic and power stroking, spins, lifts and lots more. Off ice discussions on definitions of the music, how to plan a programme incorporating the best way to set out elements to the music, hair and make up. Argentine Tango and Westminster Waltz were covered in great depth and broken down into sections for the juniors, as was the Rocker Foxtrot, European Waltz and Paso Doble for the novices.
An experience that has greatly emphasised the importance of basic skills in skating. We hope to be able to share our knowledge with other coaches, skaters and officials in the near future.
Many thanks NISA and ISU
By Doreen Hoppe