Method and apparatus for learning skating

A device comprising:

• a rope;
• a center marker coupled to the rope proximate the center of the rope, the center marker having an opening that extends therethrough, the rope extending through the opening in the center marker so as to couple the center marker to the rope proximate the center of the rope;
• a first spring-tensioned cord-lock handle having an opening extending therethrough, the rope extending through the opening in the first spring-tensioned cord-lock handle so as to couple the first spring-tensioned cord-lock handle to the rope on one side of the center marker;
• and
• a second spring-tensioned cord-lock handle having an opening extending therethrough, the rope extending through the opening in the second spring-tensioned cord-lock handle so as to couple the second spring-tensioned cord-lock handle to the rope on the other side of the center marker.

A method for instructing skating comprising:

• providing a skating practice assembly to a skater, the skating practice assembly including a rope, a center marker coupled to the rope proximate the center of the rope, a first handle coupled to the rope on one side of the center marker and a second handle coupled to the rope on the other side of the center marker;
• fastening the first handle and the second handle to the rope such that the distance between the first handle and the second handle, when the rope is extended, corresponds to the arm-length of the skater;
• and
• providing instruction to the skater while the skater is holding the rope such that the rope extends between two fingers on each hand of the skater, the first handle contacting two fingers of one hand of the skater and the second handle contacting the two fingers on the other hand of the skater such that, when the skater's arms are outstretched, the rope becomes taut.

A method for instructing skating comprising:

• providing a skating practice assembly to a skater, the skating practice assembly including a rope, a center marker coupled to the rope proximate the center of the rope, a first handle coupled to the rope on one side of the center marker and a second handle coupled to the rope on the other side of the center marker;
• fastening the first handle and the second handle to the rope such that the distance between the first handle and the second handle, when the rope is extended, corresponds to the arm-length of the skater;
• and
• providing instruction to the skater while the skater is holding the rope such that the rope extends between two fingers on each hand of the skater, the center marker contacting two fingers of one hand of the skater and the first and second handles contacting two fingers on the other hand of the skater such that, when the skater's arms are outstretched, the rope becomes taut.