M&M Throwing With Colorworks Color Range



Strange as it may seem, pitching different-colored M&Ms at people has been a time-honored training tactic since the old Wildcat days. And now that the M&Ms site has this wonderful full-range Colorworks availability page, you might at least want to think about using some of these colors. It may be expensive to get a full set -- why not do it the old time-honored skater way and everybody pitch in? How much worse could it be than a pizza party? (Admit it....)

I will start off with the colors on the top left and proceed across the two rows to the bottom right. Let's begin.

I have seen these colors used very few times in training, but they do seem to work. (There's something about M&Ms...)

Either on video or in person. On video, they let frustrations out and can be an exceptional teaching tool. In person, it's even better. (Light purple for lack of Peggy Flemingesque balletic line might be a good place to start if you want to get back at someone....)

White: Very good for basic training. Shows the skills of front/back/inner/outer/left/right are not there yet.

Black: Excellent for show-skating training. You have to project to the entire audience, not just the ones in the front rows, I don't care how politically important the catch-basin is.

Gray: Gorgeous for not adhering to 1960s training standards. Look at the Protopopovs for this one. (And yes, it's fair for everybody -- look at their edges.)

Gold: Fun for skaters attempting new routines. If you don't have your routine memorized within the first three tries, it's really not going to carry well onto the ice. Don't, repeat, don't take a badly-memorized routine out onto the ice!

Brown: Um....you're skating crappy tonight?

Red: Having fun is an essential part of skating. Learn to project more. Throw some M&Ms at someone else. Dumping a Coke on somebody's head always worked.

Green: Loosen up and skate better. Stretching exercises will be part of everyone's Five Minutes to Ice Time suggestions. Come up with some yourself. There are stretching experts available. Ask them.

Orange: Have fun, but don't forget your partner! (And solo skaters, whom do you depend on most out there?)

Yellow: Have fun also, but don't forget the technical needs of your sport.

Blue: Have fun, but also remember there is a serious and somber side to skating that needs to be portrayed too. Some of your audience is depressed.

Light Blue: Have fun. Impress others. Don't forget you're out there to earn money.

Pink: Do your duty. Show edges. Others are out there learning from you -- especially the little kids. Where will skating be without a properly-trained next generation?

Dark Green: Where did your edges come from? You're forgetting your history. Go show off. Thank you.

Teal Green: Fashionable only carries you so far. Basic will get you everywhere.

Aqua Green: Oh God, have you got problems with your line. Line is dependent on edge. Go talk to Peggy Fleming.

Dark Blue: Um...time for a Dorothy Hamill checkin. You can't fake that much. See what it did to her career?

Purple: Skate like you're the wonderful person you are. Show some self-respect out there. Go for it!

Light Purple: Skate like Peggy Fleming's in the audience. Knowing her, she is.

Dark Pink: You're not getting into enough trouble. Take more chances with the audience.

Cream: Show yourself off. Skating isn't just about edges.

Maroon: Follow correct lines. That is what got you where you are.