A skater glides across the ice, traces a smooth curve, and changes direction without appearing to slow down. Much of that control comes from something almost invisible: which side of the blade meets the ice. Understanding figure skating edges explains why one glide bends left, another bends right, and why a slight change of balance can transform a turn.
Edges are not advanced tricks. They underpin stroking, crossovers, footwork, and jump preparation. Once you can recognize and feel an edge, more complicated skating movements begin to make sense.
What Are Inside and Outside Edges?
A figure skate blade has two lengthwise edges separated by a hollow. The inside edge is the side nearest your other foot; the outside edge is the side farthest from it. On the right skate, the inside edge is on the left side of the blade. On the left skate, it is on the right.
When you glide on one foot using a distinct edge, the blade traces a curve rather than a straight line. A flat glide, with both edges contacting the ice more evenly, generally leaves two close parallel marks. Flat moments have their uses, but an accidental flat can interrupt the curve a skating skill requires.
The Four Basic Edges on Each Foot
Every edge works both forward and backward. That gives each foot four possibilities: forward inside, forward outside, backward inside, and backward outside. Coaches commonly shorten them to letters. RFO means right forward outside; LBI means left backward inside.
Forward edges
Imagine gliding forward on your right foot. A right forward outside edge curves toward your right, while a right forward inside edge curves toward your left. On the left foot, those directions reverse. This simple picture helps beginners decode inside edge skating and outside edge skating without memorizing every abbreviation.
Outside edges may initially feel unfamiliar because you must trust the blade on a curved path. Inside edges can feel more natural after learning basic pushes. Neither should be neglected: balanced progress means practicing both directions on both feet.
Backward edges
Backward inside and outside edges use the same sides of the blade while the skater travels backward. They are essential for crossover exits, transitions, and many jump landings. To identify any edge, ask three questions: Which foot supports me? Am I moving forward or backward? Which side of the blade follows the curve?
What Good Edge Control Actually Feels Like
Strong edge control skating is not about wrenching an ankle sideways. It comes from knee bend, balanced pressure, and the alignment of your ankle, hip, and upper body over the skating foot. The blade should track a predictable arc while your body travels with it.
Picture two skaters entering the same circle. One holds a continuous curve; the other wobbles, flattens the blade, and makes several corrections. Even if both reach the same point, the first can carry steadier speed into the next step.
That consistency is the real purpose of edge practice. A controlled curve gives you a dependable foundation for accelerating, turning, or changing feet. It also helps a coach distinguish a genuine technical problem from simple nervousness at higher speed.
How Edges Shape Figure Skating Turns
Three-turns: one foot, two edge types
A three-turn changes your travel direction from forward to backward, or backward to forward, while you remain on one foot. It also switches edge type: outside to inside or inside to outside. For instance, a right forward outside three-turn exits on a right backward inside edge. Its tracing resembles the numeral three.
Beginners sometimes try to force the rotation with their shoulders. A controlled entry curve and organized exit matter more than spinning the foot quickly. Work on the movement with a coach, keeping enough knee bend to maintain balance.
Mohawks: a change of foot
A mohawk transfers weight from one foot to the other while reversing direction. Unlike a three-turn, it retains the edge type: inside to inside or outside to outside. A forward inside mohawk, for example, can transfer from a left forward inside edge to a right backward inside edge.
Brackets, rockers, and counters
Advanced figure skating turns use the same edge vocabulary. A bracket switches between inside and outside on one foot but rotates against the curve. Rockers and counters keep the same edge type while connecting different curves; they differ in the direction of rotation. Their complexity begins with a simple question: what edge enters, and what edge exits?
Why Edges Matter in Footwork and Jumps
Footwork is not merely a string of quick steps. Clear arcs give crossovers, transitions, and step sequences their flow. When the exit edge of one movement is secure, the next movement has a more stable beginning.
Jump technique shows why edge identification matters. A lutz takes off from a backward outside edge with toe-pick assistance, while a flip uses a backward inside edge with toe-pick assistance. The axel begins on a forward outside edge. Many jump landings finish on a backward outside edge. These distinctions affect how jumps are performed and identified, not just how their names are remembered.
Before attempting jumps, focus on beginner figure skating skills such as one-foot glides and basic curves. Those fundamentals are directly relevant to later takeoffs and landings.
A Practical Edge Drill for the Rink
Choose an uncrowded area and work with an instructor nearby. After a gentle push, glide on one foot along a shallow arc, keeping your knee softly bent and eyes up. Try a forward outside edge on each foot, then repeat with forward inside edges. Aim for rounded, even tracks—not the tightest possible circle.
Look at the tracing afterward. Did it stay curved, or straighten halfway through? Did your ankle collapse to make the blade tilt? Compare left and right without adding speed to hide a weaker side. Once the arcs become dependable, ask your coach how forward crossovers and beginner three-turns connect those edges into movements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tell which edge I am using?
Identify your skating foot, travel direction, and the blade side supporting the curve. The tracing can help, and a coach can spot when an intended edge goes flat.
Are outside edges harder than inside edges?
Many beginners find outside edges less intuitive, but difficulty varies by person and direction. Practice both rather than assuming one will always be harder.
Does a good edge need a deep curve?
No. A controlled shallow arc is better than a deep curve created by forcing the ankle. Choose a curve appropriate to the exercise and your skill level.
Can I learn turns before mastering backward edges?
Introductory turns may be taught while backward skills are still developing. Reliable entry and exit edges, however, make turns easier and more secure.
Conclusion
Inside and outside edges give figure skating its curves, stability, and flow. They organize turns, clarify footwork, and shape jump technique. Practice recognizing the intended edge and maintaining its curve on both feet; smoother skating will follow from better control rather than extra effort.