A toe flick, in the context of ice skating (particularly hockey), refers to the final part of a skating push-off where the skater uses the front part of their blade (the toe) to maximize their stride and generate more speed.
Here's a breakdown:
- The Push: When skating forward, the push-off isn't just one action. It's a progression.
- Heel to Toe: The push starts with the back third of the blade (the heel), moves through the middle, and culminates with the front third (the toe).
- The "Flick": The "toe flick" or "kick" is that final, powerful push generated using the toe of the skate. It helps fully extend the stride and extract the last bit of propulsion.
Think of it like squeezing the last bit of toothpaste out of a tube. The toe flick ensures the skater is using the entire blade to generate power and not leaving any potential speed on the ice.
