Introducing the Skater's Rhythm-bar

A Message from Coach Chic:

First, a little history...

Back in the late 1980s, I worked with a private student who represented quite a challenge.  As an adult hockey player, she really struggled with her stride, and in a way that had me studying video for countless hours.  What was it that made her skating look rather ugly?

Well, what I finally gathered from watching that young lady in slow-motion was that her arms and legs were badly out of sync -- I mean so much so that it slowed her a lot, and it robbed her of valuable energy.  Worse yet, because of the way she moved her hands, her strides were rather short and choppy.

Of course, those who know me know about my scientific background, and that I'm also pretty well known for analyzing the forward skating stride.  However, those who know me even better will appreciate that I never give-up in search of training solutions.

So, after several weeks of trial and error -- as well as more video studies, the result of my efforts was the new training device shown briefly in the following video...

Now, that video was just recently created for another purpose (mainly as a tease for some other on-line viewers), and I know it doesn't show much.  At the same time, you might have noticed the rhythm encouraged by my new training gadget.  

Actually, I remember a Division I college coach once calling me in reference to this...  He had just heard about my new invention, so he began with something like, "I always thought there was something unique about your skaters, and now I finally realize that it's rhythm!"  Yes, he and many others have come to recognize Chighisola training skaters. 

In fact, every player who has ever worked with my Skater's Rhythm-bar has developed nice, powerful and efficient movements -- and I'm talking about beginners to professionals.  And, as both the Division I coach and my long ago private student would attest, Rhythm-bar training will even make a player look and feel really comfortable on the ice.

Returning to the present...

About two weeks ago a former pro player asked me about my Rhythm-bar.  He'd used it years before, and he'd helped me teach with it.  

Of course, he was disappointed to discover that I hadn't employed the bar very often in recent years, while I explained that it's just not possible within team practices or in the various skills programs I run for others.

Ding-a-ling-a-ling!  Revelation!  

I realized my young friend was right, and I planned to do something about it!

Now, if you'll click on one of the page links above, I'll tell you all about what I plan to do!