Mastering Basic Edges

Inside edges are the edges closest to your body (tilt ankle inward), while outside edges are farthest from your body (tilt ankle outward). Inside edges curve toward your skating side and feel more stable. Outside edges curve away from your skating side and are more challenging. Both are essential—you'll use all four edges (left inside, left outside, right inside, right outside) in every skating skill.

Basic edge awareness develops in 2-4 weeks of regular practice. Solid one-foot edge glides typically take 2-3 months. True edge mastery is a lifelong journey—even Olympic skaters work on edge quality! As a beginner, focus on holding clean edges for 5-10 seconds. As you progress, you'll develop deeper edges, better control, and the ability to use edges in complex skills. Check our first 30 days guide for realistic timelines.

Wobbling happens when you're not fully committing to one edge. Common causes: weak ankles, fear of tilting too far, looking down instead of ahead, or straight legs. The fix: bend your knees deeply, commit to the tilt, keep your head up, and hold the position. Start with shallow edges and gradually increase the tilt as you build confidence and ankle strength. Wobbling is normal for beginners—it improves with practice!

Start with forward inside edges—they're the most stable and natural for beginners. Practice forward inside edge glides on both feet until comfortable (usually 2-3 weeks). Then add forward outside edges. Once you're solid on forward edges, begin backward inside edges, followed by backward outside edges. This progression builds confidence and strength systematically. Don't rush—solid forward edges make everything else easier!

No, any properly fitted figure skates work for learning edges. However, skate quality matters: rental skates or very worn boots provide less ankle support, making edges harder. If you're serious about skating, invest in properly fitted beginner-level figure skates. The blade's hollow (the groove between edges) should be appropriate for your weight and skill level—your skate technician can advise. See our skate fitting guide for details.

Weak ankles are completely normal for beginners! Skating uses ankle muscles you've never engaged before. They'll strengthen with consistent practice. To accelerate: 1) Make sure your skates are properly fitted and laced tight at the ankle, 2) Do off-ice ankle strengthening exercises, 3) Practice edges for short periods (5-10 minutes) to avoid fatigue, 4) Gradually increase practice time as strength builds. Most skaters notice significant ankle strength improvement after 4-6 weeks of regular skating.

Technically yes, but you'll struggle significantly and risk injury. Edges are the foundation of all skating skills—jumps take off and land on specific edges, spins enter on edges, and footwork is all about edge control. Skipping edge work is like trying to write without learning the alphabet. Coaches won't teach advanced skills until you demonstrate solid edge control. Invest time in edges now, and everything else becomes easier and safer later.

A true edge comes from ankle tilt, not body lean. Check: 1) Look at your blade—is it tilted on the ice? 2) Feel pressure on one side of your foot, 3) You should curve naturally without forcing it, 4) Your body stays relatively upright over your skating hip. If you're leaning your whole body but your blade is flat, you're not on an edge. Film yourself or ask a coach to check your edge quality. The curve you create is the best indicator—clean edges make smooth, consistent curves.