A training device for figure skaters and other athletes includes an elongate bungee-type cord, and a clipping mechanism with two normally closed loops secured to one end of the cord. At the other end, the cord is secured to itself to form a loop designed to accommodate the user's wrist. With the loop on the wrist and with the other end of the cord secured to the skate or other footwear by the clipping mechanism, the user practices gliding, spinning, twisting, or jumping maneuvers. The elasticity of the cord is selected to provide a gentle tensile force that guides the relative positioning of the linked hand and foot as the maneuvers are performed, to positively reinforce the correct positioning for the maneuvers.