Oh, I hate the 5 minutes. Our league requires 25 in 5. And my best is 19. ugh. I went to our open skate last night, and really tried to work on continuous crossovers around the optimal path. It's tough. My legs start getting shaky and I trip over my own feet.

We have three skill levels for freshmeat the first is 20 in 5, the second is 25 in 5, and the third is 27 in 5. I have a long way to go but I am working very hard to get there. There are times that I really hate being short and this is one of them. I think it would help so much have long legs there are people that one of their strides is equal to like three of mine.

the 25 in 5 absolutely sucks, but whatever you do - DO NOT HATE BEING SHORT when it comes to derby!!!! I'm just a smidge over 5ft and crossovers really used to suck! My best advice to you is to get lower. I know you've probably heard those words more often than anything else so far at training, but it's just as true when it comes to doing crossovers with short legs. What the taller girls have in stride, you can make up for with power and technique!

Bend at the knee and at the hip (so your butt is low and really sticking out at the back), try and keep your core tight and your upper body in a straight(ish) line from your pelvis up. Try and cross your outside leg over all the way from your hip down - so as much of your outside upper thigh as possible is over the top of and in front of your upper inside thigh, and at the same time extend your inside leg so that you're pushing your inside foot/ leg towards the outside of the track. I hope that makes sense, it's the first time I've ever tried to put that into words lol.

Derby is hard work! Once you more familiar with the techniques, being short can actually be a huge advantage in derby - so embrace your inner 'pocket rocket' and good luck!!

We also have to do 25-5, and now do it at the start of each practice!
Are you skating the Diamond? I know its very helpful,
Cross over's are important and keep your feet moving!!

It took me like 4-5 tries but when you get it its AWESOME! ::)

keep up the hard work!!

Oh gosh the 25/5 is like raaaaaaaaaaahhh
But honestly do not hate being short. There is no reason why you can't be as fast as taller girls with the same amount of strides. It's all about how long you have contact with the floor. Getting lower means you can push your foot out across the floor for longer. Do it standing straight up without skates on. Slide your foot across the floor and see how quickly it comes off. Then squat low and see how long it stays on for.

I've also learned this little hop to catch speed really quickly. Lift your right leg and as you go to place that foot down angle the toe out. As the right foot comes down, hop your left foot up and push hard with the right foot as it contacts. It's all done very quickly and looks like a hop but man you can get some insane speed without trying.

I started C25K for this move specifically. I don't have the endurance/stamina to keep skating as fast as I need to for 5 minutes. Right now, I'm struggling with week 4. Here's hoping it helps my 25 in 5. Another skater in our league started C25K much earlier this year and has already passed her 25 in 5. I figured if it can help her, it can help me.

Congrats!

Just keep those feet moving.

How's the knee tap coming?

I finally got my 20 laps last night, the next goal for me is the 25 in 5:00.

Most excellent. I can't seem to break the 20 lap mark. Well done!

EXACTLY. I don't practice until I get it right. I practice until I can't get it wrong.

Tough lesson to learn. When I go to the roller rink, I may not fully gear up, but I wear my knee pads and wrist guards always. Sorry about your knee. Hope it heals quickly.