Skill Levels
The entire Basic Skills program, from beginning to more advanced, is
designed to be the best beginning ice skating program. The program has nine
separate sets of curriculum, including programs that focus on choreography,
synchronized skating and hockey. If you're looking to learn how to skate,
the U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Program is your first step! The nine
programs are described below, with a listing of sample elements for each
level.
Snowplow Sam Curriculum
The Snowplow Sam levels are designed to help the preschool age skater
develop preliminary coordination and strength necessary to maneuver on the
ice.
Sample elements in each level include:
Snowplow Sam 1
Sit and stand up on ice
March in place
Dip in place
Snowplow Sam 2
Dip while moving
Forward two-foot swizzles
Two-foot hop in place
Snowplow Sam 3
Forward skating
Backward swizzles
Curves
Basic Skills Curriculum
The Basic Skills are the fundamentals of the sport. These eight levels of
the program introduce the fundamental moves — forward skating, backward
skating, stops, edges, crossovers, turns and mohawks. Upon completion of the
Basic 1-8 levels, skaters will have the basic knowledge of the sport
enabling them to advance to the more specialized areas of skating.
Sample elements in each level include:
Basic 1
Sit on ice and stand up
March forward across the ice
Forward swizzles — 6-8 in a row
Backward wiggles — 6-8 in a row
Snowplow stop
Basic 2
Backward swizzles — 6-8 in a row
Two-foot turn from forward to backward in place
Moving snowplow stop
Forward alternating 1/2 swizzle pumps, in a straight line (slalom-like
pattern)
Basic 3
Forward stroking, showing correct use of blade
Forward 1/2 swizzle pumps on a circle — 6-8 consecutive — clockwise and
counterclockwise
Moving forward to backward two-foot turn — clockwise and counterclockwise
Two-foot spin — up to 2 revolutions
Basic 4
Forward edges
Forward crossovers — clockwise and counterclockwise
Backward snowplow stop — R and L
Basic 5
Backward edges
Backward crossovers — clockwise and counterclockwise
One-foot spin — up to 3 revolutions, optional entry and free foot position
Side toe hop — both directions
Basic 6
T-stop, R or L
Bunny hop
Forward arabesque/spiral on a straight line — R or L
Forward lunge — R or L
Basic 7
Forward inside open mohawk from a standstill position — R to L and L to R
Ballet jump — R or L
Forward inside pivots — R or L
Basic 8
Moving forward outside three-turn on a circle — R and L
Moving forward inside three-turn on a circle — R and L
One foot spin, optional entry and free foot position
Waltz jump
Mazurka — R or L
Hockey Curriculum
The hockey curriculum is designed to teach the fundamentals of hockey
skating. In four badge levels, skaters will learn how to maneuver faster and
be more agile on the ice. Proper skating techniques are the primary focus of
the levels. All elements are taught without a stick or puck. Skaters will
learn the necessary fundamentals to be successful in game situations.
Participants will need hockey skates and an ice-approved certified hockey
helmet.
Sample elements in each level include:
Hockey 1
Proper stance
Dip or squat
Snowplow stop
Backward skating
Hockey 2
Skating forward using full strides
Backward hustle
Glide turns, both directions
Moving snowplow stops
Hockey 3
Hockey turns, R and L, with speed in and out of turn
Forward slalom
Backward V-stop
Hockey 4
Forward crossovers — clockwise and counterclockwise
Alternating backward C-cuts in a line (1/2 swizzle pumps)
Hockey stop
Adult Curriculum
The adult curriculum is designed for the beginning adult skater. It will
promote physical fitness and improve balance and coordination while learning
proper skating techniques. Divided into four levels, adult skaters will
progress at an individual rate while being challenged and motivated.
Sample elements in each level include:
Adult 1
Falling and recovery
Swizzles
Backward skating
Two-foot turns, in place
Adult 2
Forward stroking
Forward crossovers — clockwise and counterclockwise
Backward one-foot glide, R or L
Forward pivot
Adult 3
Backward crossovers — clockwise and counterclockwise
Inside mohawk, either direction
Backward snowplow stops — R or L
Beginning two-foot spin
Adult 4
Forward three-turns, outside and inside, R and L
Footwork sequence
Power three-turns
Free Skate Curriculum
Each free skate level is divided into four sections:
· Moves in the field
· Dance/footwork sequence
· Spins
· Jumps
The free skate levels are designed to give skaters a strong foundation on
which to build up their skills. This is the point where the skater can chose
whether to pursue a recreational or competitive approach to the sport of
figure skating.
Sample elements in each level include:
Free Skate 1
Advanced forward stroking
Scratch spin from back crossovers (minimum three revolutions)
Half flip
Free Skate 2
Basic back outside and back inside consecutive edges (4–6 edges)
Waltz threes
Beginning back spin (two turns)
Free Skate 3
Waltz eight
Salchow
Back spin with free foot in crossed leg position (minimum three revolutions)
Free Skate 4
Spiral sequence
Sit spin (three revolutions)
Loop jump
Free Skate 5
Camel spin (minimum three revolutions)
Flip jump
Forward upright spin to back scratch spin (three revolutions each foot)
Free Skate 6
Alternating back crossovers to back outside edges
Camel/sit spin combination (five revolutions)
Lutz jump
Dance Curriculum
The dance badge program focuses on the components of ice dancing and reviews
the basic edges and turns while skating to music. Skaters will learn the
first six dance patterns in the U.S. Figure Skating test structure. Dances
can be skated solo for testing Dance 1-6.
Sample elements in each level include:
Dance 1
Forward outside swing rolls to a count of six
Kilian hold
Corner steps in Dutch Waltz
Dance 2
Continuous forward progressive chassé sequences in a circle to a count of
four, clockwise and counterclockwise
Forward outside cross rolls
Reversed Kilian position
Dance 3
Continuous promenade progressives on a circle to a count of four
Cross behind steps on end pattern of the Rhythm Blues
Dance 4
Consecutive inside chassé with wide step sequence
Slalom motion with close feet and lifting knee action
Dance 5
Forward swing rolls to a count of four
Forward inside open mohawk
Dance 6
Advanced open mohawk with closed free foot position on exit
Two outside edges
Synchronized Team Skating Curriculum
The synchronized team skating badge program is a fun introduction to the
five basic elements of the discipline: circle, line, block, wheel, and
intersection/transition. The purpose of these tests is to introduce skaters
to synchronized team skating and to familiarize them with elementary holds,
formations and transitions. A group can consist of six or more skaters to
get started.
Sample elements in each level include:
Synchronized 1
Circle: forward skating clockwise and counterclockwise
Wheel: two-spoke wheel, forward or backward skating
Holds: shoulder to shoulder and hand to hand
Synchronized 2
Line: forward skating with alternating forward crossovers
Block: forward skating with a change of axis
Intersection: one line forward intersection
Synchronized 3
Circle: small circle to large circle, or large circle to small circle
Wheel: parallel wheel
Hold: basket weave
Synchronized 4
Block: a block sequence that creates a circular pattern covering the ice
Wheel: backward “S” wheel
Pairs Skating Curriculum
The pairs skating badge program is an introduction to the basic elements of
pairs skating and includes pairs spins, side-by-side jumps, lifts, hand
holds and positions. Candidates for the pairs curriculum should have passed
at least Basic 8. Partners pass as a team.
Sample elements in each level include:
Pairs 1
Basic hand-to-hand hold with a side-by-side position
Advanced forward stroking side by side both directions
Bunny hops side by side
Pairs 2
Basic Waltz hold and position
Advanced backward crossovers to back outside edge, side by side, both
directions
Waltz jumps side by side from two to three backward crossovers
Pairs 3
Kilian and reverse Kilian hold and position
Circling pairs spin
1/2 flip jumps side by side
Pairs 4
Open dance lift position with armpit grip
Toe loops side by side
Waltz lift
Pairs 5
Waist lift position with one partner behind the other, and lift position
with hand-to-hand grip
Flip jumps side by side
Loop lift
Pairs 6
Sit spins side by side from backward crossovers (minimum of three
revolutions)
Loop jumps side by side
Lutz lift
Artistry in Motion (AIM) curriculum
The Artistry in Motion program is designed to educate skaters on the basic
principles and philosophy of choreography and style. The badge program will
give them a foundation in basic body alignment, movement and line. Skaters
must pass Basic 8 before enrolling in AIM.
Sample elements in each level include:
AIM 1
Introduction to basic dance movement and terminology
Basic head movements
Program construction
AIM 2
Introduction to classical music
Utilization of basic dance movements in classical style
Program mapping
AIM 3
Introduction to jazz/contemporary music
Development of lower body extension
Music interpretation exercises
AIM 4
Advanced spins
Incorporation of body levels
Development of artistic presentation