| Just as the word "ball" can mean any one of a | | | | when a skater jumps or spins on the ice. Lack of |
| hundred different kinds of balls, the term "ice | | | | support from the boot can cause a skater's foot |
| skates" encompasses shoes with ice blades for | | | | and ankle to twist on landing, which can cause |
| playing hockey, racing, figure skating and ice | | | | injury. |
| dancing, or simple recreational skating. Different | | | | Although it is difficult to see the difference from a |
| skates are designed for each of these kinds of | | | | distance, the heel of a high quality figure skate will |
| activities. When you're thinking about buying a pair | | | | be made of leather, rather than the wood usually |
| of ice skates, it's important to first define what | | | | found on recreational skates. Leather provides a |
| kind of skating you want to do. | | | | more resilient cushion when the skater's weight |
| Figure skates are designed with a very stiff boot | | | | lands on one foot. |
| so that the foot and ankle are well suppported | | | | |