Why Push Pulls?

I know I don't particularly love them, but they always seem to work their way into endurace. Push Pull Pyramids. Push your buddy for 5 laps then they push you...then finally pull your buddy...it seems to last forever. But what are the benefits? Are you really learning an important derby skill?

Absolutely!!! Read this recent post by mega-blocker Bootsy Killins!


Why Push Pulls? The benefits of the push/pull drill to derby
performance.
Benefit 1- Strength: The act of moving both your own body and the mass
of another around the track has obvious strength and muscle endurance
benefits, just as squats with weights are a greater challenge than
squats alone.
Now stop thinking about push/pulls as simply skating laps with extra
weight. You should not be just skating. To get more out of push /pulls
you can do several things: jockey for position, pass others, protect
the inside line, accelerate at corners and perfect derby form.
Benefit 2- Communication Skills: As you skate you are communicating
with your partner. You are choosing where and how to pass other
skaters. Will you go to the outside or the inside? Do you pass now or
wait for the corner drift? You learn how to communicate these things
verbally and nonverbally as well as become more familiar with how your
partner skates and the decisions they tend to make.
Benefit 3- Track & Form Awareness: In push/pull drills, track physics
become much more observable than in solo skating. Passing skaters on
the outside while having the added burden of another skater is much
more of a challenge than passing on the inside in terms of physics of
the track. It is easy to overlook this when you can accelerate more
effectively skating solo. You also become aware of track spots where
your partner tends to drift off the line, creating openings to be
passed. Again when you skate solo, it is easy to lose track of these
spots as you subconsciously compensate.
In push/pulls, form is essential. If you are not in derby stance, you
lose balance quickly and become a liability to your partner. Form also
is vital in efficient cornering. If a skater being pushed or pulled
does not stagger their stance, they place substantial drag on the pair
and may significantly slow their partner’s progress. Thus push/pulls
encourage proper skating form and helps skaters practice staying
upright and in motion even under challenging circumstances.
I hope this explanation has clarified the value and applicability of
push/pull drills. While all the benefits may not be readily apparent
they are quite real. However, you only get all the benefits if you
stop thinking of the drill as simply moving your own and another’s
weight. While doing the drill, skate as if you were in a jam. Jockey
for position, pass other pairs, don’t be afraid to make contact and,
of course, push yourself! Try to finish first! Sprint the last lap!
Strive to create as little drag as possible when being acted upon.
Challenge yourself and you will be rewarded!