Champion Cords for Figure Skaters

Champion Cords are an S hook (other hooks available)  attached to a bungee cord. The bungee cord has a handle on one end so it can be worn around the skater’s hand. The S hook attaches to a boot. Champion cords were invented by master-level coach Sheila Thelen. Sheila invented the cords to solve problems she was having with her own skaters and now they are widely used around the skating community.

Champion Cords can be used for every level of skater. They force skaters to think about arm and foot positions, which I love.  They also  teach body alignement and awareness.  I bought my first pair after a PSA semiar I attended where Sheila presented, and I thought what a cool idea. I love trying new techniques with skaters. Each skater learns differently and if these cords can help, then I was determined to have them. I went home and ordered a pair from the PSA website and was excited to start using them.

I have been using the cords for about two years now. I started out using them on my lower-level skaters. I used them mainly to create better arm positions by having them hold both ends of the cord and stretching the cord nice and tight, forcing them to keep their arms straight. I also used them for spirals by hooking the S hook to the spiral leg and putting the loop around the skaters arm. I witnessed better spirals in only one lesson. Next I would use them on landing positions by connection the left leg and arm (for skaters who rotate counter-clockwise). “Stretch and count to five,” I would tell the skaters. Wow! It really works! Skaters would hold their landing position like I wanted them to. The cord forced them to feel this position, which is definately better them repeating “hold your landing” a million times during a lesson.

Then I graduated and started using the cords on spins and more recently jumps. I tell you, I was reluctant to use them on Axels and double jumps because I always pictured a foot getting tangled in a cord somewhere and accidents happening. After talking with Sheila last weekend for Ice Mom’s Ask the Expert post (for this Wednesday May 26th), my worries diminished. She assured me that the cords don’t get tangled in the air and catastrophies wouldn’t happen.  I started having Ice Girl use the cord on her Axel and double Salchow. Ice Girl likes jumping with the cords, she said it made her Axel easier. It also helpes her stand taller in the air and hold a nice landing positions. Skaters and coaches have the freedom to be creative in the use of Champion Cords. The product is  fun to use.

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Today on Synchro Mom: Questioning Synchro Team Fees
Today on Ice Mom: My Five Favorite Figure Skating Purchases
This week on Ask the Expert: PSA Master-rated coach and Champion Cords inventor Sheila Thelen

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The cost of the product is very reasonable, and the hooks come in various colors. The bungees also come in red! I only thought they came in black until talking with Sheila a week ago. I love the red ones!  I would recommend all figure skaters to try using Champion Cords. The product will help skaters build confidence as they train. Not everyone will enjoy the cords, and not everyone will benefit the same from them. Some skaters will whine when you have them use a cord, a butt pad, even assist them with a harness. Forcing a skater to do something they don’t want to do isn’t helpful, so if this is the case, find something else that works for you. Otherwise check out ChampionCords.com and listen to Sheila’s interview on Ice Mom’s site this Wednesday.

Do you know what Champion Cords are? Have you ever used Champion Cords? What have the Champion Cords helped your skating technique? Please share how you use the Cords on a day to day basis!