At TCS Live 2025, Jill Plandowski brought the crowd back to the basics with an on-ice presentation focused on backward skating - one of the most technical and often uncomfortable skills for players and even for coaches to demonstrate. Instead of diving straight into high-speed drills, she started with the fundamentals that make everything else possible: posture, alignment, and balance.

With hips and shoulders aligned and the full skate blade on the ice, skaters gain control through the glide. It sounds simple, but as Plandowski explained, posture is the foundation for every backward movement. When players can control their balance, they can move efficiently in any direction.

“Once you know what strong posture looks like, you’ll see it everywhere, and you’ll see where it’s missing.”

From Glide to Power

Plandowski’s session built gradually. She started with a two-foot glide, moved into a one-foot glide, and then added the push that generates speed. At each stage, she reminded coaches that every skill built on two feet should feel just as comfortable on one.

One of her most memorable teaching cues came when she demonstrated how to push through the stride. Instead of the traditional C-cut, she encouraged younger players to imagine drawing a question mark with their skate. The curve adds rhythm, strength, and direction to the movement. It also keeps players aware of where their weight should be transferring.

From there, she introduced edges and full pushes, layering each progression on top of the last. With every step, posture remained the anchor. The moment players lost it, their glide and power disappeared.

Turning Technique into Flow

By the end of the session, the group could see how every small detail connected. Posture, glide, edge control, and weight transfer all worked together to create that effortless backward flow that strong skaters are known for. Plandowski showed that backward skating is not just about mechanics; it is about rhythm and trust in your foundation.

“Balance and posture make speed possible. Without them, you’re just fighting the ice.”

Her calm and methodical approach made a technical topic accessible for coaches at every level. Whether working with youth players or experienced skaters, her message was clear: focus on what is under the skates first, and everything else will fall into place.

Coaches’ Challenge

This week, watch your players as they move backward. Are their hips and shoulders aligned? Do they look balanced or strained? Start with posture, then progress through glide and push.

Plandowski’s lesson was a reminder that mastering backward skating is not about flash or power. It is about posture, patience, and precision.

Noteworthy timestamps:

• 0:00 Backwards skating per shift
• 1:40 Backward posture
• 3:25 Backward gliding
• 6:00 Backward push
• 9:50 Weight shift 
• 11:00 Full speed
• 14:40 Inside edges
• 17:55 Outside edges