Skating Question

[FatAndSlow]

What is the purpose of gliding with your feet wide apart? I see a lot of the better players doing this, especially right before they make a move. Also, when they are in this stance I often see them raise the toe of their skate off the surface to turn (raise right toe to turn right). Is there a technique to turning in this stance (weight transfer, turning hips?) or is it just simply raising your toe and "there you go". Finally, my feet are wide apart; I've just a "toe up turn"; how do I do quick crossovers if my feet are so far apart?

Thanks in advance

[quick_dry]

turn the foot slightly to get a turn - try it out and see.

Though it is an easy habit to fall into - and I think everyone does it to some degree or other, it can be better to get in the habit of being able to do all your dekes while skating.

Coasting like that does make it easy to change your speed and direction drastically and beat a defender - either to get around or to stop them closing the gap onto you. e.g. you're racing down, moving in on a defender, suddenly change speed and do a 90 degree turn to cut to centre and release your shot (possibly with D-man as a screen)

Trouble is you tend to put weight backwards, so if you _do_ get stood up by the defender you're more likely to end up on your arse.