Skating 6 - Pivots
In hockey it is important to be able to move freely on your skates. This applies in particular to the transition from forwards to backwards and from backwards to forwards skating. You need to be good enough at this pivot so that when you perform it, you do not lose any speed. There are several methods of pivoting to backwards from forwards, however I will only describe the one that I like the best.
To begin with, keep in mind that throughout the pivot you should hear virtually no sound coming from your skate blades. Sound means that something is dragging, which is slowing you down, instead of maintaining a nice, easy glide. Perhaps the best place to practice this turn, initially, is on one of the blue lines/center red line. This will help you see whether or not you complete your turn without moving off your original line, another thing which can slow you down.
Start by skating forwards with one foot (for the purposes of this explanation, the right foot) just on the edge of your chosen line.
Balance on this leg, keeping one the line, and lift the other leg in the air opening the hips by turning your rear leg out (see photo 1). It is important that you be comfortable enough in skating on one leg to allow your other leg to act semi independently and assume the required positions.
Photo 1
Photo 2
Next, begin to turn inwards (left if you are on your right leg) until you have turned enough so that your rear leg (still in the air) could be placed down on the ice ON THE SAME LINE that you were originally on BEFORE the turn (refer to photo 2).
Photo 3
Put this leg down transferring your weight onto this leg, while at the same time allowing your other leg to unweight and leave the ice slightly.
You should now be gliding backwards with the opposite foot on which you started on the same line as the original foot (see photo 3). You can now put your other foot down.
The turn from backwards to forwards is very similar. You start by gliding on one foot, then when you want to pivot, turn outwards (if you are on your left foot, turn left) and rotate your body around so that you are now beginning to face forwards. Place your other foot on the ground near the heel of your turning foot, but on the same line as the original foot was going. Shift your weight to this foot, unweight the rear leg and you will now find yourself gliding forwards on one foot. Put the other foot down parallel and you have completed your pivot.
Remember that these skills need to be practiced at high speed, quickly changing directions so that they become an easy, natural movement.