5 Beginner Skating Tricks to Go from Wobbly to Wow
Ever step onto the ice and feel like your ankles just clocked out for the day? Don’t sweat it—you’re not the only one. But here’s the good news: you don’t need Olympian skills to pull off some seriously fun skating moves. Think bunny hops, crossrolls, spread eagles, side hop 3-turns, and yes, even a cheeky moonwalk. Ready to look like the coolest person on the rink (while probably still wearing that extra-fuzzy hat)? Let’s glide right in.
1. Bunny Hop: Small Leap, Big Bragging Rights 🐇
If you’ve ever dreamed of lifting off the ice (without a hospital trip), the bunny hop is your new best friend.
- Go at a Pace You’re Comfortable With: We’re not trying out for The Fast and the Furious on ice. Just get moving at a gentle glide.
- Bend and Send: Bend your knees slightly, swing one foot back, then hop forward off that leg—think of it as a micro springboard.
- Land Gracefully-ish: Touch down on the same foot you used to jump. Knees bent = happy joints.
First attempt might look more like a baby penguin flailing than a majestic bunny, but hey, that’s part of the fun. Embrace the flail, you’ll get there soon.
2. Crossrolls: Your One-Way Ticket to Looking Fancy 🥐
Picture yourself weaving across the rink like you’re waltzing on ice. That’s basically crossrolls. And trust me, it’s not as complicated as it sounds.
- Shift Your Weight: Put a bit more weight on one foot while the other hovers behind.
- Cross and Roll: Gently move the free foot over and in front. Let your momentum take you diagonally across the ice.
- Repeat & Flow: Keep switching feet, building a steady zig zag rhythm.
This is the move that’ll make it look like you’ve been practicing every spare minute (even if you secretly haven’t). It’s smooth, it’s stylish, and it feels oddly soothing once you find that flow.
3. Spread Eagle on a Circle: Channel Your Inner Figure Skater 🦅
You’ve seen pros do that wide legged pose where they look like an actual soaring eagle on the ice. Now it’s your turn minus the triple axel follow-up… for now.
- Widen That Stance: Position your feet slightly more than shoulder width apart, toes pointing outward (like a duck, but cooler).
- Bend & Lean: Ease down into a gentle knee bend and angle your body so you start gliding in a circular path.
- Arms Out: Stretch your arms for balance, or dramatic flair. Both are valid.
Sure, your first few tries might look more like an awkward shuffle than a spread eagle. But once your hips and ankles get with the program, you’ll be swanning around the rink like you own the place.
4. Side Hop 3-Turn: Upgrade Your Standard 3-Turn 🦘
The side hop 3-turn is basically a mini showstopper—an extra little jump that says, “I’ve got this.” Because let’s face it: sometimes you just want to feel fancy.
- Set Up Your Stance: Skate forward, knees slightly bent, arms ready for balance (a.k.a. not flailing).
- Side Hop: Push off one foot and hop sideways. (Pro tip: an enthusiastic “woo!” can help you commit.)
- Pivot to Backwards: As you land, rotate your upper body to switch into a backward glide. This is the “turn” that makes it a 3-turn.
If you’re feeling a little shaky, that’s part of the excitement. It’s like adding sprinkles on your skating sundae, completely optional, but undeniably awesome.
5. The Moonwalk: Bringing Pop Star Moves to the Ice 🧑🚀
Yes, moonwalking on the ice is totally possible, and it never fails to catch attention. Warning: you may be required to do an encore for curious onlookers.
- Toe Meets Heel: Put more weight on the toe pick of your back foot and the heel of your front foot.
- Shift & Slide: Gently shift your weight so the back foot glides backward (or at least looks like it).
- Stay Smooth: The real magic is in keeping a continuous, fluid motion no jerky stops or starts.
You might feel ridiculous while you’re first learning, but trust me, the moment you nail that Michael Jackson esque glide, you’ll feel like an actual star.
Wrapping It Up: Glide Into Greatness
Whether you’re hopping around like a snow bunny or sliding backward in a slow-motion moonwalk, these tricks are guaranteed to level up your confidence on the ice. And honestly? Half the fun is just laughing at your own wipeouts and near misses. So lace up those skates, pick a move or two to try, and watch how quickly you go from “wall-hugger” to “ice-dancing wonder.”
If you manage to pull off any of these moves, let us know—bonus points if you have photographic or video evidence. Sharing is caring, and we’re all about celebrating those little victories. Now, go show that rink who’s boss!
