The importance of loops cannot be exaggerated. They are in some respects more important than the threes, which precede them. They are an entirely different balance from figures to which they are very similar and for that reason alone are important. If, for instance, one has been practising threes and then goes to loops, the different balance is so great as to disturb the proper execution of either figure. Of course, when one becomes expert they can do any figure they select, in any order. The amateur and the beginner, however, will do well to separate the time of practising certain contrasting figures.

One day make special effort to master the threes, forward and backward. Do but little else. Memorize the correct balance, the correct carriage of the balance foot, the body and the arms. Do no loops that day. Another day specialize on loops, making no threes, but studying most carefully the correct carriage for loops. Threes and loops are hard figures to practise in sequence although there will come a time in the progress of the amateur when one of the most interesting and beautiful figures he can do will be a combination of three, loop and three. The single threes, however, and the single loops are a different balance from combination three, loop and threes.

In learning the placing of either threes or loops or brackets, it is important that the beginner have in mind the fact that they should be executed at the far ends of the figure in which they are placed. The length of the curve or part of the circle after the three or loop ought to be the same as before the three or loop. The loop ought not to be at the end of a long spiral. Correct tracing of the figure on the ice is a fundamental part of true continental form in skating.

Start on the right foot, outside edge, forward, as for the circle eight on that foot, but soon begin to twist the shoulders toward the centre of the circle. The balance leg should be carried behind and not far out or it will have a tendency to swing the skater into a three instead of a loop. As the loop is started the skating leg should be bent considerably. When the loop is half finished the balance foot which has been swinging around is brought past the skating foot, close to it and vigorously but deliberately thrust forward outside the curve which forms the finish of the figure. At the same time the arms should be brought in close to the body and the body straightened up, which will give added impetus for the correct curve to the starting point.

The difficulties in the performance of the loops will be met in the correction of balance at the middle of the loop and the completion of a full curve after the loop. These difficulties can be lessened by much careful study of the right principles before the figure is attempted and by repeated practising over and over again after the correct balance has been learned. When the correct loop movements are once attained it is best to continue practising them before other different balances are allowed to interfere with their complete mastery.

The inside forward loops are started differently from the inside circles as the shoulders should face the centre of the circle right from the start. The skating knee should be well bent and the balance of the body should be strongly forward until half of the loop has been completed. Then the balance foot, which has been carried behind and outside the print, describes a small, quick circle directly over the loop and is thrust well forward, across and outside the print. The shoulders, however, remain twisted toward the centre of the circle. The balance of the body before the inside forward loop is strongly forward; after the loop it is strongly backward. After the loop is made straighten the body up and bring the arms quickly to the sides of the body; the first movement adds impetus and the second tends to prevent the following curve from becoming a spiral. Loops should be made on a strong edge. After the loop is made less edge is required; in fact as little edge as can be used to follow the correct curve of the circle back to the starting point.

Loops are somewhat dependent upon the freedom with which the skater is able to control his ankles. They should not be held too stiffly in these figures since a firm edge is needed even in the small circles which will be formed and there is change of the balance from the forward to the backward part of the blade, or vice versa, in the various loops. There should be no noticeable pause at the centre of the loop. The balance foot should not be employed to jerk the skater out of the loop into the finish of the circle.