To be successful at figure skating, your child requires stamina, strength, and concentration. Being flexible also helps them execute jumps, spins, and combinations. If your little one wants to improve their skills, helping them work on flexibility at home could bring quick results. The guide below provides more information you can use to help your little one become the best athlete they can be.

Why Flexibility Is Important for Figure Skating

While most young children are naturally flexible, that ability decreases as they develop. Stretching allows the ligaments and tendons to catch up to bone growth, encouraging greater agility and range of motion.

With more flexible joints and muscles, a young figure skater can tackle more complicated sequences over time. Flexibility also decreases the likelihood of muscle tension and injury, preventing strain in the neck, shoulders, and back.

Home Exercises That Improve Flexibility

Dynamic Stretches

These movement-based warmups reduce tightness around the joints, improving range of motion. Dynamic stretching also prepares the muscles for common movements athletes might encounter during figure skating practice.

For example, straight leg kicks and lunges work the hip flexors and hamstrings. Shoulder circles and arm swings, meanwhile, engage the shoulders and upper back, improving posture.

Agility Drills

Along with stretching out the muscles, drills improve endurance and stamina.

High-knee jogging and sideways grapevines, for example, increase range of motion around the hips. By improving foot coordination and ankle stability, they also prepare the legs to support the body's weight during spins and landing.

Work on your young skater’s skills by enrolling them at World Championship Program in Palatine, IL. The skilled instructors at this program provide on- and off-ice training, helping athletes improve their familiarity with all figure skating disciplines, including individual and group events. They also offer in-home programs to help families practice together. Request more information by calling (872) 221-3557.