Snowplow stop

Heels pressed outwards so that one or both blades skid, taking the speed off in a straight line.

Also called Snowplough stop, snowplough or half snowplough. Other names.

Not checked yet. The mechanics on this page are a first draft by a non-expert, and no coach has seen them yet. Read them as a starting point and check them with a coach. Corrections are very welcome.

Travelling forwards, you press the heels of your skates outwards so that the blades skid, and the skid takes the speed away. Ice Skating Australia teaches it standing still first and then from three to five steps, on both feet, with the knees slightly bent and the arms held in front for stability. Learn to Skate USA starts it at its first level, on one foot or two, and asks for it on the move at its second.

The one-foot version is the half snowplough: one blade presses out and skids while the other keeps gliding. New Zealand assesses it on each foot. Australia’s description has three points to hold: the heels pressed outwards, the knees slightly bent, and the arms in front. It asks for a complete stop, so a skid that slows the skater and lets them carry on is not yet the element.

Leads to

2 elements in the guide are built on this one.

• Backward snowplough stopThe same skidding stop, travelling backwards. New Zealand teaches the backward half snowplough at its Basic badge.
• Hockey stopBoth stop by skidding the blades. New Zealand teaches the snowplough at its first badge and the parallel side stop at Novice 2.

Appears in