Tuesday, November 22, 2011
FRESH MEAT WEEK 2
Put on your red 'energy dome' hats and get ready to whip it, whip it good!
Last Thursday our skaters pushed and whipped their way through training with the masters of whips, Melvin Star and GoGo Fiasco, and the princesses of pushes, Moe Skeeto and Bride of Skatan.
PUSHES
Pushes are a really good way to send a blocker or jammer through or ahead of the pack. Furthermore, they can be used to extend a block by pushing a team mate diagonally into an opposing blocker or jammer. Here are some of the points Moe and Skato discussed:
Straight pushing:
+ Make sure you push your partner from her hips - a push too high or too low will inhibit her skating rather than assist it.
+ Remember that derby stance we keep writing about? Yep, it's still important! You both need to stay stable so make sure you're down low and you keep your knees bent.
+ Also remember that 'communication' thing we keep rattling on about? You guessed it! A gentle touch before the push will tell your partner that you're there and remind her to be ready for you.
+ Bring yourself in nice and close before pushing and then extend out through your arms - it will give you the maximum power transfer through your body and arms.
+ If you're being pushed, try to go straight into your cross-overs to power out of the push to make the most of the gift you're being given.
Sideways/diagonal pushing:
+ This is mostly used to extend your blocking length, or to help clear a path for your jammer.
+ It's up to you as to whether you keep your hands together on your partners hip, or spread them across her hip and upper arm, so long as you balance your weight across your hands so that you don't push too high or too low.
WHIPPING
Like pushing, whipping is a great way to help a jammer or blocker gain speed and get through the pack. It can also be used to get a team mate in front of another skater.
Hip whips:
Hip whips can be used to get yourself around a team mate, as well as increase speed.
+ Touch first to let your team mate know you're there, then pull yourself around.
+ Don't pull your team mate down - instead, pull them straight toward you.
+ Like with pushing, come in close first in order to increase your power.
+ Don't be afraid to use some fore
+ Make sure you communicate what you are intending to do!
Outside arm whips:
+ You must feel confident giving each other your full weight
+ It's not about how big or small you are, but about using your core and your whole body to transfer energy
+ As the whipper, make sure you follow right through the whip (ie. don't stop half way) to give your whipee the option of where to let go
+ Think about: counter balance, stable feet and strong core
+ Use your hockey stop to transfer all your possible energy to your whipee - it's okay if you stop entirely
+ Remember to use closed fists (ie. not locking fingers)
+ Communicate! Use your eyes and your voice to let your partner know what to expect, and when
+ Don't just move from the shoulder. As GoGo says 'the arm is like the handle, but it is the body that gives the power'.
+ A whip will be most useful when going into or coming out of an apex
Inside arm whips:
Inside arm whips will not be as powerful as outside arm whips, but are useful in small spaces, or when you need to sneak a blocker or jammer through on the inside line. There are two variations on the inside arm whip: first, using a locked (bent) left arm as a lever or, alternatively, pulling your partner through with your right arm and then giving them a little push with your left.
+ Remember that all skaters must stay inside the track lines!
+ Derby stance will always help you to stay stable. As GoGo says, "you need to be as strong as you can be all the time".
+ Be ready! As Skato says, "it's not very good etiquette in a game to say 'I wasn't ready'".
+ And, once again, remember to communicate your intentions!
Phew! That's it for whipping and pushing! Stay tuned for BLOCKING this Thursday!
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