gofigureskating.com
   
Figure Skating Getting Started
Choosing Figure Skates
Figure Skate Blades
Figure Skating Equipment
Figure Skating Glossary
Find and Ice Rink
Figure Skating is great for both mind and body...
   
For the very young
 

Not only does figure skating help young children develop coordination, strength, and agility, it helps to develop their minds. Even at the lowest basic skills levels skaters learn step sequences and can even learn a complete program to be used at local competitions. One of the skills kindergarten teachers look for is that new students can complete a sequence of three tasks. Early skating programs often include upwards of 20 tasks. The young skater will stroke, glide, turn, hop, turn again, swizzle... All of this is done to the rhythm of the music.

   
Competing
 

A skater can begin competing soon after starting a learn to skate program. Competing at an early stage helps skaters build confidence. Low level competitions are fun events where medals are plentiful since groups are usually small. We have been to competitions with only 3 skaters in a group so everyone got a medal.

As you move up in skill level the competitions get tougher and the groups get larger, This gradual increase in difficulty and group size prepares the skater for the highest levels of skating. Groups in the middle levels tens to be around 7-10 skaters, depending on the event.

Once a skater reaches the Juvenile level they can begin competing in qualifying competitions such as regional, sectionals and nationals, Beginning with intermediate the skater(s) sill need two programs a short and a long. The juvenile and intermediate levels go from regionals directly to junior nationals. The novice, junior, and senior levels go from regionals to sectionals to nationals. At regional events there may be 50 skaters in a level all competing for the top spots.

   
Adults
  USFS has a track that is perfect for adult skaters. There are learn to skate adult programs, and training camps just for adults. There are adult test tracks, and competitions as well. There is even a USFS national adult championship held every year.
   
Figure Skating Disciplines
   
Single Freestyle
  Just as the name implies Single Freestyle is all about one skater on the ice performing skill in solo events. The skater learns and competes in singles programs. They perform jumps, spins, spirals, footwork and connecting moves, all choreographed to a piece of music. What makes singles difficult is the level of jumps and spins that the skaters perform.
 
Pairs Skating
  Pairs skating as the name implies involves two skaters skating together on the ice. All of the moves are similar to singles with some added moves such as lifts and throws that require two people to perform. This is an extremely difficult discipline of that requires strength and preside timing. Skaters must perform skills in unison which means that they must spins at the same rate, jump and land together, and perform footwork and choreography together.
 
Dance
  This discipline puts the emphasis on choreography, carriage, flow, footwork, timing and musicality. Just as with paris, the skater must do everything in unison. While there are no lifts above the shoulders or throws, the footwork and positions are very difficult.
 
Synchronized
  Synchronized skating involves form 16-20+ skaters on the ice skating together. As teh name synchronized implies, emphisis os on together.
   
follow us
Skate tube
Get Started Figure Skating!
 
Research Figure Skates
Recreational Figure Skates
Beginner Freestyle Figure Skates
Intermediate Level Figure Skates
Advanced Level Figure Skates
Figure Skate Blades
 
 
© 2007 RCS Inc.