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:

    1. Dip while moving
    2. Forward two-foot swizzles
    3. Two-foot hop in place

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:


    1. Backward swizzles — 6-8 in a row
    2. Two-foot turn from forward to backward in place
    3. Moving snowplow stop
    4. Forward alternating 1/2 swizzle pumps, in a straight line (slalom-like pattern)
    1. Forward stroking, showing correct use of blade
    2. Forward 1/2 swizzle pumps on a circle — 6-8 consecutive — clockwise and counterclockwise
    3. Moving forward to backward two-foot turn — clockwise and counterclockwise
    4. Two-foot spin — up to 2 revolutions
    1. Forward edges
    2. Forward crossovers — clockwise and counterclockwise
    3. Backward snowplow stop — R and L
    1. Backward edges
    2. Backward crossovers — clockwise and counterclockwise
    3. One-foot spin — up to 3 revolutions, optional entry and free foot position
    4. Side toe hop — both directions
    1. Moving forward outside three-turn on a circle — R and L
    2. Moving forward inside three-turn on a circle — R and L
    3. One foot spin, optional entry and free foot position
    4. Waltz jump
    5. 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:

    1. Proper stance
    2. Dip or squat
    3. Snowplow stop
    4. Backward skating
    1. Hockey turns, R and L, with speed in and out of turn
    2. Forward slalom
    3. Backward V-stop
    1. Forward crossovers — clockwise and counterclockwise
    2. Alternating backward C-cuts in a line (1/2 swizzle pumps)
    3. 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:

    1. Falling and recovery
    2. Swizzles
    3. Backward skating
    4. Two-foot turns, in place
    1. Forward stroking
    2. Forward crossovers — clockwise and counterclockwise
    3. Backward one-foot glide, R or L
    4. Forward pivot
    1. Backward crossovers — clockwise and counterclockwise
    2. Inside mohawk, either direction
    3. Backward snowplow stops — R or L
    4. Beginning two-foot spin
    1. Forward three-turns, outside and inside, R and L
    2. Footwork sequence
    3. 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:

     

      1. Advanced forward stroking
      2. Scratch spin from back crossovers (minimum three revolutions)
      3. Half flip
      1. Basic back outside and back inside consecutive edges (4–6 edges)
      2. Waltz threes
      3. Beginning back spin (two turns)
      1. Waltz eight
      2. Salchow
      3. Back spin with free foot in crossed leg position (minimum three revolutions)
      1. Spiral sequence
      2. Sit spin (three revolutions)
      3. Loop jump
      1. Camel spin (minimum three revolutions)
      2. Flip jump
      3. Forward upright spin to back scratch spin (three revolutions each foot)
      1. Alternating back crossovers to back outside edges
      2. Camel/sit spin combination (five revolutions)
      3. 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:

      1. Forward outside swing rolls to a count of six
      2. Kilian hold
      3. Corner steps in Dutch Waltz
      1. Continuous forward progressive chassι sequences in a circle to a count of four, clockwise and counterclockwise
      2. Forward outside cross rolls
      3. Reversed Kilian position
      1. Continuous promenade progressives on a circle to a count of four
      2. Cross behind steps on end pattern of the Rhythm Blues
      1. Consecutive inside chassι with wide step sequence
      2. Slalom motion with close feet and lifting knee action
      1. Forward swing rolls to a count of four
      2. Forward inside open mohawk
      1. Advanced open mohawk with closed free foot position on exit
      2. 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:

      1. Circle: forward skating clockwise and counterclockwise
      2. Wheel: two-spoke wheel, forward or backward skating
      3. Holds: shoulder to shoulder and hand to hand
      1. Line: forward skating with alternating forward crossovers
      2. Block: forward skating with a change of axis
      3. Intersection: one line forward intersection
      1. Circle: small circle to large circle, or large circle to small circle
      2. Wheel: parallel wheel
      3. Hold: basket weave
      1. Block: a block sequence that creates a circular pattern covering the ice
      2. 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:

      1. Basic hand-to-hand hold with a side-by-side position
      2. Advanced forward stroking side by side both directions
      3. Bunny hops side by side
      1. Basic Waltz hold and position
      2. Advanced backward crossovers to back outside edge, side by side, both directions
      3. Waltz jumps side by side from two to three backward crossovers
      1. Kilian and reverse Kilian hold and position
      2. Circling pairs spin
      3. 1/2 flip jumps side by side
      1. Waist lift position with one partner behind the other, and lift position with hand-to-hand grip
      2. Flip jumps side by side
      3. Loop 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:

      1. Introduction to classical music
      2. Utilization of basic dance movements in classical style
      3. Program mapping
      1. Introduction to jazz/contemporary music
      2. Development of lower body extension
      3. Music interpretation exercises
      1. Advanced spins
      2. Incorporation of body levels
      3. Development of artistic presentation

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