The Snowball Effect in Figure Skating: How Small Habits Become Big Problems

“Every big mistake starts small — just like a snowball.”

Every skater knows the feeling, something feels off in a jump. Maybe it’s not huge at first, just a little imbalance or a subtle hesitation. However, over time, those tiny imperfections accumulate until they become a significant obstacle.

That’s what I call the “snowball effect.”It starts small, but as it rolls along, it grows — turning a simple habit into a significant technical problem on the ice.

🧭 Step 1: Understand How the Skater Moves

The first step in preventing this snowball effect is to understand how a skater moves.

Does your skater rely too much on their upper body to complete a movement? Do they twist their shoulders to generate momentum instead of letting the blades and edges do the work?

Sometimes a gentle reminder helps:

“Skating starts with the blades.”

Direction also plays a key role. Every jump has its own path and rhythm. The trajectory of a toe loop isn’t the same as that of a flip, and the way you enter the jump can completely change the outcome.

Helping a skater find the right line into a jump can be the difference between a powerful takeoff and a frustrating attempt.

❄️ Step 2: Find the “Snowflake” That Starts It All

Every snowball begins with one tiny snowflake, the minor detail that sets everything in motion.

Newton’s Third Law reminds us:

“Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.”

And that couldn’t be truer on the ice.

Take the toe loop, for example. Imagine a skater preparing with a backward edge and a forward 3-turn. Now picture another skater who uses a chocktaw instead, an inside forward step.

For an experienced skater, that difference might not cause much trouble. But for someone still developing strong hip control, it can trigger a chain reaction:

• The free leg compensates for lost balance.

• The weight shifts off-center.

• The jump entry becomes unstable.

As a result, the skater plants the free leg too wide or on the wrong edge. That instinctive “save” stops the rotation, creating a full-blade assist instead of a clean toe-pick pivot.

“Don’t stop the motion — control it.”

That’s the key. We don’t want to kill momentum; we want to guide it.

🎯 Step 3: Adapt Preparation to the Skater’s Style

Once you identify where the snowball starts, it’s time to customize the preparation.

Every skater is different. While everyone learns the same foundational preps, fine-tuning them for individual movement styles creates the best results.

Maybe that means:

• Adjusting step width.

• Redefining visual cues for direction.

• Reinforcing edge control and feel.

These micro-adjustments build awareness and consistency.

Because as skaters gain confidence, shortcuts often creep in — and with them, the slow buildup of imprecision that starts the snowball effect all over again.

🧊 Step 4: Keep It Clean, Controlled, and Conscious

Skating is all about awareness, the connection between the body, the blade, and the ice.

Slight imperfections aren’t failures. Their feedback. When skaters and coaches take the time to recognize and refine them, they build stronger, smarter habits.

“Awareness is the difference between movement and mastery.”

Every great jump, spin, and step begins with intentional motion. Control it, don’t fight it, and the results will follow.

✨ Final Takeaway

The snowball effect is sneaky, but it’s not unbeatable. With mindful practice, clear direction, and attention to detail, skaters can transform minor flaws into strengths.

Remember: it’s not about perfection, it’s about precision, awareness, and flow.

Because when everything connects, that’s when skating becomes art.