My first example is the striking off on a forward outside edge. On this take-off, you can feel the relationship of the free hip lifting as you rise off your knee on the take-off. What I teach is: As the free leg comes off the floor, you rise slowly onto the knee. This is true on all take-offs. You do not “sit” on your knee in a figure. Figure skating is rhythmic skating. You are never totally stiff in a figure and you are never totally bent. It is fluid. It is motion. Now, on forward take-offs, you rise on the employed knee with your weight going toward the back. (Some teachers explain it as Middle Back). Now, on backward take-offs, you rise on the employed knee with your weight going ot the ball of your foot, or Middle Front.