What
is Short Track
Speedskating?
In
its purest form, speed skating is simply racing to see who can
complete the designated distance in the shortest time. Short track
speed skating refers to skating on a short oval track laid out within
the confines of a hockey rink. Long track speed skating refers to
skating on a large oval, usually 400 m in length. Normally, long track
speed skating occurs outdoors, but as the sport has grown, large indoor
ovals (the Calgary Olympic Oval is one of the best in the world) have
sprung up.
Short
track speed skating developed as a significant sport in the late
1970's. Short track is speed skating on a small indoor oval
of
111 m in a hockey rink. Short track skaters wear special
boots
developed for the high speeds and tight corners, long blades (from 12-
17 inches in length) and protective clothing. Skaters compete against
one another in groups of 4 to 6 skaters, depending on the
distance. Time is an important indicator of how
well our
skaters are progressing, but in any given race it is the placing as the
skaters at the finish line that determines the winners. This
means that races can be very tactical, with passing taking place at
high speeds. The distances raced range from 111 m to 3000 m,
depending on the age and skill.
In
long track speed skating, the skaters hit higher speeds but the ice
surface is bigger and there are no boards to hit if you fall.
The
corners are not as tight. As a result, the skates are
slightly
different from short track skates and the protective clothing required
for short track is not used. In long track skating, it is
either
mass start like short track or Olympic style, where there are only two
skaters on the oval at a time. Long track skating on TV is
almost
always Olympic style. The distances raced range from 100 m to
10,000 m (or even 200 km in marathon races) depending on the skill and
age of the skaters.
The
basics of speed
skating are relatively straight forward. Skaters compress
(bend)
their ankles to about 45 degrees, bend their knees to approximately 90
degrees and lean forward at the waist approximately 45
degrees.
This enables them to get the full power from their strides and to
minimize wind resistance. A straight-away stride is composed
of
first a strong hard push to the side and back with the middle of the
blade, as the skater transfers their weight to the other leg.
While gliding on top of their blade, the pushing leg is then recovered
by swinging it around to the back and then driving the knee forward as
the other leg pushes and the weight is transferred over to the new
gliding leg. On the corners, the skater must stay square to
the
corner (don't look into the corner or let your hips swing out) and push
directly to the side with the middle of the blade (perpendicular to the
arc of the corner). By keeping low and leaning into the
corner,
this allows the skater to maintain a tight track at high
speeds.
Our top skaters can hit speeds of 45 km/hour.
While
the basic
technique sounds relatively simple, to do it properly, particularly at
high speeds, requires training, co-ordination and strength. The ability
to make quick tactical decisions during a race adds to the demands on
the skaters.
Coaching
Philosophy
Our over-all coaching
philosophy is derived from both the National Coaching Certification
Program and from the National Level Coaching of Speed Skate
Canada. The child is at the centre of the program and the
philosophy is applied within the appropriate context for each level of
the program.
Speed Skate PEI Coaching
Philosophy
The coaches are there to help
the
children and athletes reach their full potential at the physical,
intellectual,
and social levels through well-established programs for each level. All skaters are equally
important, whether
they are the youngest or the oldest, the slowest or the fastest. The program is delivered
to meet the needs
and goals of the child/athlete.
For our Novice Program, the emphasis is on fun
and participation. We
want to make the skaters comfortable on
the ice. Children
in this age group will
learn by doing but they will only do if it is fun and their social
needs are
met. Every child
will progress at a
different rate but they will all get there if they are having fun.
The
emphasis in the Development Program
remains on fun and
participation. The
skaters learn the
essential skills of skating and speed skating, and learn to appreciate
the joy
of skating fast. Children
learn the
concept of “personal best” and how to enjoy the
thrill of racing in a safe,
non-threatening environment. Special
attention remains on the development of the child and ensuring that
their
social needs are met in the program.
The Competitive Program is designed to train
our skaters for top level
regional and national competition, while remaining a fun and supportive
environment. The
concept of “personal
best” and the importance of effort remain a touchstone of the
program. Learning
how to train properly, refining
their speed skating technique, and developing a healthy approach to
competition
are important parts of this program.
It
is generally thought that the ages of 10-16 are when the training of
future top
athletes begins. International
calibre
speed skaters develop in their late teens and early twenties.
The Recreational Program
is for older skaters (13 to
adult) who want to
enjoy and perfect speed skating but who don’t necessarily
want to compete at a
high level. It provides them the
opportunity to participate to their desired level in training and skill
development. Recreational skaters may not be eligible to
participate in off-Island competitions; when and where any member of
the club can compete, including recreational skaters, will be at the
discretion of the club head and assistant head coaches.
Levels
Speed Skate PEI offers a variety of Club speed
skating
programs for kids five years old and up, and for adults. The programs are designed
for both recreational and
competitive skaters. Within
each program
are different levels to match the needs of the skaters and their goals. Assignment of skaters to
specific groups is
the responsibility of the coaching staff and the coaches have the
responsibility to ensure that skaters are in the appropriate group. Assignment to groups is
based on a
consideration of age, skating ability (including technique and speed),
goals of the skater and their parents, maturity (physical, athletic,
and emotional), family requirements,
peer
groups and friends, and social development as they pertain to the
safety of the individual skater, the safety of the other skaters on the
ice at the same time, the development of the individual skaters as an
athlete and a person, and the development of the Club or skating group
as a whole. SAFETY
AND SKATER DEVELOPMENT
ARE OUR TOP CONCERNS.
On
registration, skaters should select the program that
most closely matches their goals and skating skills, with the
assistance of our coaches if needed.
Once
the skaters are on the ice, we further group them based on skill and
age. The
coaching staff continually
evaluates the skaters to determine if they are in the correct group and
program, making changes during the year as required to meet the needs
of the skaters. Any changes will be discussed with the skater and their
parents prior to making any moves.
Peer
groups, friends, and social development are taken into account in any
decisions to move children from one group to another.
Ages referred to below are as of June 30th,
and
are suggested age ranges for each program.
The
coaching staff must give permission for any children outside these age
ranges to participate in a program.
The assignment of skaters to a
specific group is a complex
process and one that the coaching staff takes very seriously. The descriptions of
requirements for a
specific program are to be taken as guidelines only, as there are many
factors that are considered.
For
example, a skater may have a speed that would suggest they were
appropriate for a particular level, but the skater may require
additional technical guidance that is best delivered in another program. Alternatively, we may be
forced to advance a
skater who still requires technical development because their speed
creates a safety concern in a program.
The
guidelines below are reviewed on a yearly basis (and even during the
year) by the coaching staff and the Speed Skate PEI Executive, and may change from year
to year
depending on the profile of the Club. Changes
in recommended or specific requirements may be made at their discretion
on a yearly basis or even at the start of the year once registrations
are completed if the profile of registered skaters requires such
changes.
WHEN IN DOUBT, SKATERS AND PARENTS SHOULD ALWAYS CONSULT WITH THE
COACHING STAFF.
There is a tendency for skaters and parents to
want
advancement through the programs at a rate that is not to the benefit
of the individual skaters. Every
skater
develops at their own rate and we try to recognize this throughout the
program.
New Skaters
New skaters
under 8
should start in the Novice Program. Experienced
skaters who are 8 -10 but new to the sport of speed skating
should start in the Development I
(Skills) Program. Accomplished
skaters over ten will start in
the Development II (Speed) Program
and then will be assigned to a program based
on their skills and interests. All
new
skaters over twelve will receive a special accelerated introduction to
the
sport of speed skating in the Development II program and then will be
assigned
to an appropriate group by the coaching staff.
Special Olympics: Special Olympic skaters participate in
the regular programs based on their skill level and taking into account
their
age.
NOVICE PROGRAM:
The Novice
Program
is aimed at skaters 5 -9 yrs old who
are just learning to skate
or who want to improve their basic skating skills.
The goal is to provide children
with a
fun and entertaining environment in which to learn skating skills. We use lots of games and
fun – if they don’t
enjoy being on the ice, they won’t come back. We also give them a couple
of opportunities
to test their speed during the year at our Fun Meets.
Skaters in the Novice Program generally wear
hockey skates. Please, no figure skates.
Skaters may be moved between the two groups
after enrollment or during
the year if the coaching staff feels it is appropriate.
No changes will be made without first
discussing it with the parent.
Maximum
registration: 30 skaters.
Novice I: This is our
learn-to-skate program. Skaters
must be able to stand alone on their
skates to enroll in Novice I, or a parent must agree to come on the ice
with
the skater until they are able to do so.
1 hour/week (Saturday, 12:45-1:45 pm)
Novice II: To enroll in Novice II, skaters should have their yellow pin (see information on the Cutting Edge pin program) or
equivalent skating skills as assessed by the coaching staff. This
program is suitable for young children who already have basic skating
skills. 1 hour/week (Saturday, 12:45-1:45 p.m.).
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DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM:
The Development
Program is aimed at skaters who have basic skating skills but want to
improve
their skills and learn the sport of speed skating. Skaters
7 years and up who have
attained the appropriate skill level may participate in this program. The emphasis of the
development program is on
having fun and developing all-around skating skills.
The Speed Development portion starts to
introduce more of the competitive aspects of speed skating, such as
passing and
tactics, and aims to refine the basic speed skating skills.
Development
I
(Skills):
(7-12 years) Skaters may use hockey skates in Development I, but
it is recommended
that they use long blades. Development
I
skaters should have the orange pin level (see information on the Cutting Edge pin program) or equivalent
as
judged by the Coaching staff and be able to stop effectively. It is
recommended
that participation in competition not exceed the Club Fun Meets, the
Atlantic
Cup in Charlottetown,
and one off-Island. 1 hour/week. (Monday, 5:15-6:15 pm)
Maximum
registration: 25
skaters
Development
II
(Speed): (9 years and up) Skaters in
this group will practice
two hours a week. Skaters should be 9
years of age, have at least their Red Pin (see information on the Cutting Edge pin program), be able to
skate
cross-overs on the corner, stop effectively, understand track safety,
and be
able to skate the 500 M in under 1:25 (or have the permission of the
coach). Skaters in this group must be on long blades. It
is recommended that participation in
competitions not exceed the Fun Meets, the Atlantic Cup, and two
off-Island
meets.
2
hours/week. (Monday, 6:30-7:30 pm; Thursday, 5:15-6:15 pm)
Maximum registration:
25 skaters
COMPETITIVE PROGRAM:
The
competitive program is a more intensive program for
older skaters. All
skaters must have the
permission of the head coach to participate in this program and the
level of
participation will be assigned by the coaching staff.
The general principles described in the
introduction apply to decisions regarding participation in the
Competitive
Programs. Advancement
of skaters to and
through the Competitive Programs before they have developed sufficient
technical skills can impede the development of the skaters and create
unsafe
situations. Given
the higher speeds in
the Competitive Practices, especially in the Competitive A groups,
safety is a
particular concern. The
profile of the
registered skaters may result in changes to the requirements for
advancement
from year to year (i.e. the recommended times standards for advancement
to Comp
A and Comp B may change from year to year).
Skaters
wishing to participate in the competitive programs are expected to be
interested in competition, committed to training, and have the
technical
skills, the speed, and the maturity (social, emotional, and athletic)
to safely
participate in the practices and enjoy the extra work-load associated
with
these practices.
Skaters in
the Competitive program must take responsibility for sharpening their
own
skates (with the exception of first year skaters promoted to the
Competitive
programs). Club
jigs can not be borrowed
by skaters in the Competitive A program. Skaters
in the Competitive A program who have
been skating for several years should seriously consider purchasing
their own
blades and skates. The
first purchase
should be your own blades. Once
skaters
reach second year juvenile (14 yrs old) or higher age groups in
Competitive A,
they should consider the purchase of their own boots.
The
requirements for Competitive Groups A and B presented below give an
indication
as to the expectations for each group.
The final decision on participation is made by
the coaching staff and
skaters need the permission of the head coach to participate. In all decisions regarding
advancement to and
through the competitive programs, consideration is given to peer groups, friends, and social
development. Skaters
or parents with
questions regarding assignment to competitive groups should contact the
Head
Coach.
Skaters in
the Competitive Group may participate in all Club and off-Island
competitions
attended by the Club, as long as attendance, time standards, or any
other
requirements are met. The
number of
off-Island meets attending depends on the goals of the skater.
Competitive B:
(10 years & up)
The minimum age for participating in this group
is 10 years old as
of June 30th (Midget). Skaters under 12 (Midget and below) must have
the Blue Skill level pin or equivalent as judged by the coaching staff. Skaters will normally
skate the 500 m in
under 1:08.
Exceptions
(both early and delayed advancement) may be made based on age,
technical
ability (technique), speed, and maturity (emotional, social, and
athletic), if
required to meet the needs of a skater, maintain a safe training
environment,
and meet the needs of the group.
A good
understanding of track safety must have been demonstrated by the
skaters. Skaters in
this group will skate three times
per week. If they
wish, they may
participate in the Dry Land training program when it is offered. Skaters in this group are
eligible to
participate in all meets. Skaters
must
be at practices at least 30 minutes beforehand for an off-ice warm-up,
unless
otherwise specified by the coaching staff.
3
hours ice time/week (Tuesday, 7:30-8:30 pm; Thursday, 6:30-7:30 pm; Saturday, 2-3 pm)
Maximum
registration: 25
skaters
Competitive A: (12
years and up) This is our top
competitive group. In
general, skaters
must be twelve to participate in this group (Juvenile age group) and
skate the
500 m in under 1:00 min (re-evaluated each year depending on the
numbers and
skill profile of skaters in the group).
Skaters are generally expected to have the
Black and preferably the
Bronze skill level or equivalent as judged by the coaching staff. Exceptions (early or
delayed advancement) may
be made based on age, technical ability, speed, and maturity (social,
emotional, and athletic) if required to meet the needs of a skater,
maintain a
safe training environment, and meet the needs of the group. All skaters in this group
must understand and
respect all aspects of track safety. Skaters must be able to skate
safely and
effectively in a group on the track.
Skaters in this group will practice three
times a week on ice, a total
of four hours. Dry
land training session
is usually also offered. Skaters
in
Competitive A are eligible to participate in all meets that the Club
attends. Skaters
may be required to be
at practices up to 60 minutes beforehand for an off-ice warm-up and
dryland
training, unless otherwise specified by the coaching staff.
4
hours/week (Tuesday, 7:30-8:30 pm; Thursday, 7:45-8:45 pm; Saturday, 3:15-5:30 pm)
Maximum registration: 25
skaters
RECREATIONAL PROGRAM:
Speed
Skate PEI
aims to have programs that meet the needs of all skaters.
We recognize that there may be many skaters thirteen years and older
(including
adults) who love to skate but who are not interested in serious
competitive
skating. The
program is not designed for
those who wish to compete. Skaters
will
be registered with Speed Skate Canada as recreational skaters and will
not usually be eligible to participate in off-Island meets; a skater's
participation in an off-Island meet will be at the head coaches'
discretion. They may participate in local Club events. Adult skaters who wish to
compete in Masters Events
must register as a competitive skater, according to their skill level. All recreational skaters
must use long blades
and have full protective equipment.
Skaters
who wish to register in the recreational program will receive two hours
of ice timeper week, on Tuesday (6:15-7:15 p.m.) and Thursday
(6:30-7:30 p.m.). In exceptional circumstances, skaters in the
recreational group may be permitted to skate with the Competitive A
group skaters.
Maximum registration:
dependent on registration in other
programs. In
general, 10 skaters.
LONG TRACK PROGRAM:
The Club will provide
opportunities for
long track skating when available and possible within the Club
resources.
CANADA GAMES PROGRAM:
In addition to its Club programs, as the
provincial sport
organization, Speed Skate PEI also runs the Canada Games program. This program is in
addition to the Club
programs described above. It
is only
open to skaters of Canada Games age and, in the two years preceding the
games,
to those who are registered for the Canada Games Training Team.
The
Canada Games Training Program is supported by funds provided by the
provincial
government, the skaters who participate in the program, and
fund-raising. Funds
from the Speed Skate PEI Club Programs
(eg registration fees) do not support the Canada Games Program. Please refer to the Canada Games pages of
this website for more details.
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