S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym for Skills-based Maneuvers for Acquiring Responsive Technique. Responsive technique is a fluid and efficient way of skating that is highly adaptable. Skills-based maneuvers are exercises using the intentional body alignment and movement patterns that make responsive technique possible. Below is World Figure Skating Championships Bronze Medalist and S.M.A.R.T. Skate program designer Mervin Tran performing a deceptively simple core S.M.A.R.T. Skate exercise.
S.M.A.R.T. Skate is the unique group training program used by The Skating Collaborative. Designed by World Figure Skating Championships Bronze Medalist Mervin Tran and continually refined by The Skating Collaborative coaches, the goal of S.M.A.R.T. Skate is to provide a solid foundation during the early stages of a skater's development that will benefit them no matter where their ice sports journey takes them. Each session of the program includes on-ice and off-ice instruction as well as individual on-ice practice time.
A small amount of prior skating experience is necessary to participate in S.M.A.R.T. Skate. Participants entering the program should be comfortable not only marching but gliding on the ice both forwards and backwards. Because the program is as much training regime as instructional class, even experienced skaters can derive conditioning value from its content.
The two main objectives of the curriculum are power and control:
Beyond the above objectives, we begin the process of honing sport-specific skills:
Each session of S.M.A.R.T. Skate includes an off-ice warm-up and post-training strength & conditioning block designed in consultation with qualified trainers experienced in working with elite skaters. It is designed to complement concepts introduced on the ice and improve strength, agility, balance and coordination through exercises modelled on sports-specific movement paths.
I have developed this curriculum based on more than a decade of coaching experience as well as 15 years as an internationally-ranked athlete. I spent almost two decades training alongside Olympic-level athletes, coaches and support personnel on a daily basis, but I have been a part of introductory skating programs for 20+ years and witnessed their operations in multiple countries. These experiences have taught me that any impressive feat of athleticism stems from solid fundamentals like those prioritized in S.M.A.R.T. Skate. This program is a roadmap for developing the skills necessary to compete at the highest levels. Train hard. I'll see you on the ice!
Copyright © 2024 The Skating Collaborative - All Rights Reserved.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.