Some Good Books

These are some of the books that I have found useful, and would recommend for your bookshelf. You can order these books right now from Amazon.com by simply clicking on the image of the book (actually, if you click on the book it takes you to a page on Amazon's website that has more information about the book, and then you can order it if you want). When you order from these links, I get a small commission that helps me pay my webserver bills. Thanks!!!

		Figure Skating: Championship Techniques John Misha Petkevich This has always been one of my favorites. Written by a skater, for skaters. This is primarily a book about techniques. Goes beyond describing what each element looks like. Tells you how to do it. Photos, diagrams, explanations. Not a substitute for a coach, but a very good reference.
		What is a Salchow Anyhow This video demonstrates most of the figure skating elements. It liberally uses slow motion and stop action coupled with easy-to-follow narraration to help the watcher to understand the important points. More for the "watcher" than the "do-er", but it would be a great gift for your mom. Kind of like my web-based explanations, only you can stretch out on your couch while you watch it...
		Ice Skating: Steps to Success Karin Kunzle-Watson, Stephen DeArmond Full of training exercises which reinforce the fundamentals of skating.
		The Inner Champion: A Mental Toughness Training Manual for Figure Skaters Choeleen Loundagin Most skaters can do it all when they're at home - its a lot harder to make it work as well on the competition ice. Just as important as the physical training is the mental training. Choeleen's book helps you to develop the right strategies.
		The Winning Attitude: What It Takes to Be a Champion Michelle Kwan, Laura James
	A Must-Buy, Direct from USFSA
		USFSA Rulebook No skater should be without this. It has all the competition and test elements, including patterns for dances and moves tests. You can order it right from the USFSA.
	Figure Skater's Website materials
		Laminated Reference Cards I've got several "Reference Cards" published here on the Figure Skater's Website. These are Acrobat PDF files that you can freely print out in color and laminate for rugged use. If you don't have a laminator, I'll send you as many as you need, color printed and laminated for a small charge. Click here to order.
		Figure Skater's Pocket Handbook This is a compilation of much of the material from this website. Its reformatted a little so it prints more nicely and makes a nice booklet to carry around in your skating bag. I made it available for several years, then I started getting so many requests that printing and binding started to take more time than I had available, so I quit. So its not available right now. I could republish for next season, if I had Kinkos do the printing and binding, but I'd probably have to charge $8 or $9 for it. Contact me and let me know if you think I should...