The balance left foot is carried across the right leg with the knee bent and the toe turned out and the leg carried fairly high in the air, not dragging behind. The shoulders rotate during all the circle edges, as we have seen in those which have already been studied. In the backward circle eights on the right foot, the left shoulder should be held well in front; this position, holding the shoulders almost square with the print, should be maintained through the circle.
The left foot, which is carried across the right leg and in front of the skater at the start of the stroke, should be brought slowly past the skating foot when about one-third of the circle has been completed, then carried well extended in a “spread-eagle” position to the end of the circle. This is one of the few strokes in skating where but little change of the position of the arms occurs during the completion of the circle. They slowly turn with the shoulders and maintain a graceful pose, with hands extended and palms downward. The general idea of the backward circle is to keep the entire body, arms and legs, almost directly over and slightly inside the print; its weight will tend to swing the body around as a revolving pendulum. The outside circle eights, either forward or backward, are somewhat forced or false balance, since the body has to lean considerably toward the centre of the circle to get the centre of gravity in the right place.
These articles are for beginners, and they ought not to hold me too closely to the rules I lay down. Many of my exhibition figures are so unusual and contain such unexpected combinations of jumps, counter rockers and spins that I have to violate rules or the figures could not be done. I have been accused of having no rules for skating, as I do so many things my own way. And when you have progressed to the point where they want newspaper articles from you which they head with the flattering remark that you are the greatest woman skater in the world, you will be in a position to violate rules a little bit. My pet philosopher says that rules were made for slaves.
CHAPTER 6.
Inside Circles, Backward.
All backward skating is difficult to acquire. After it is acquired it is more interesting than forward skating.
Some of the very difficult jumps in mid-air which I do are taken backward because it is really easier to do them that way than forward. There is one jump where I am skating backward on the outside edge on the right foot, swing the left foot violently around, spring into the air, make a complete revolution of my body, land on the outside edge of the right foot again and continue on a big sweeping curve. It is in some respects the most popular number that I introduce. It is done that way solely for the reason that it is much easier backward than forward and yet at the same time it looks more difficult backward than forward.
Most skating figures will be found easier forward than backward. Probably that is partly due to the fact that not as much time is spent by any skater learning backward skating as is spent learning forward strokes. The art of skating backward requires pluck and courage. When one attempts the full backward circles without a helper it is an occasion to mark in one’s diary.
The plunge is the main thing in learning to skate backward. Make up your mind some fine morning that you are going to practise outside edges backward or inside edges backward all of the skating session of that day. Then do it. Skating is a matter of will power after all and not at all a matter of strength. I took up skating just because I was not strong and the doctors said it was outdoor life or a little narrow box for me.
It is hard to catch one’s self during a fall when one is on the outside circles backward; the position during much of the inside circles backward makes it easier to get ready for the fall after you feel sure it is coming. Not that I mean there is any special instruction necessary in the matter of falling for there is not. Just let go and sit down as meekly as you can, smile and look about helplessly and some chivalrous American is sure to hurry to your aid. This is much more dignified and less liable to be embarrassing than scrambling to all fours, stepping on your gown and, perhaps, falling over again.