Figure Skating

1. Figure Skating Training Guide

2. Events Offered • Singles Compulsory Elements • Level I, II, III, IV • Singles Freestyle • Level I, II, III, IV • Pairs Compulsory Elements • Level I • Pairs Freestyle • Level I • Ice Dancing • Level I, II, III

3. Figure Skating Uniforms • In the preliminary round the female figure skating uniform should be simple, fitted figure skating dress, skirt or jumper with a turtleneck and/or sweater. Exceptions will be made by the discretion of the Games Committee. • In the final round, the female figure skating uniform may have beading, sequins, and/or lace, in good taste with approval of professional coach as long as decoration does not interfere with skating. No props may be used. • Female skaters should wear sheer-to-waist pantyhose or tights, and undergarments should not be visible. • In the preliminary round, the male figure skating uniform should be full length trousers, a long sleeved sweater, and/or turtleneck. Sweat pants or tights are not acceptable. In the final round, the male uniform should be simple fitted pants and turtleneck/sweater or a jumpsuit. Material of any color with simple decoration is acceptable as long as decoration does not interfere with skating. No props will be allowed.

4. Figure Skates • Skates should be clean and polished with laces tucked in. • Hockey skates or speed skates shall not be used. • Dress should enhance and not detract from the skater’s technical proficiency.

5. General Rules • Athletes will be awarded one medal each for the compulsory and freestyle events. Figure Skating athletes are permitted to enter three events. • Each skater must provide music on a CD at the venue site prior to competition.

6. Singles Freestyle Level I General Rules • Skater may start program at any spot on ice surface. Judging and timing will begin when skater commences to skate. • This is a beginning freestyle program and should be well balanced with elements selected from Badge 1-5 with emphasis on balance, glide and beginning moves. (The Badge Program can be found in the Special Olympics Figure Skating Skills Guide). • No spins and only a two foot jump will be permitted. • A two foot jump is a jump where you take off on two feet and land on two feet.

7. Singles Freestyle Level I General Rules Cont. • The skills may be performed in any order. The skater is not required to perform a set number of skills, however, the skater will be judged on the quality of the performance and the content. • The program must be performed to instrumental music. A mandatory .2 deduction will be made for vocal music. • The program will not exceed a time limit of 60 seconds, plus or minus 10 seconds.

8. Singles Level II Freestyle General Rules • Skater may start program at any spot on ice surface. Judging and timing will begin when skater commences skating. • This is an Advanced Beginner Free Style Program. A well balanced program with elements selected from Badges 1-10 with emphasis on Glide and Turns. • Any spin beyond a two foot spin, and any jump beyond a bunny hop will receive a mandatory .2 deduction for each added element. • The skills may be performed in any order. The skater is not required to perform a set number of skills, however, the skater will be judged on the quality of the performance and the content. • The program must be performed to instrumental music. A mandatory .2 deduction will be made for vocal music. • The program will not exceed a time limit of 90 seconds, plus or minus 10 seconds. • No back spiral permitted in Level II programs, a .2 deduction will be made.

9. Singles Level III Freestyle General Rules • Skater may start program at any spot on ice surface. Judging and timing will begin when skater commences to skate. • This is an intermediate Level Free Style program. A well balanced program with elements selected from Badges 1-12 with emphasis on flow, carriage and a slightly more advance skill level. • Skaters may perform simple footwork, field moves and additional jumps, salchowand toe loop. • Any spins beyond a one foot spin and any jumps beyond a toe loop and salchow will receive a mandatory .2 deduction for each added element. The skills may be performed in any order. • The skater is not required to perform a set number of skills, however, the skater will be judged on the quality of the performance and the content. • The program must be performed to instrumental music. A mandatory .2 deduction will be made for vocals music. • The program will not exceed a time limit of two minutes, plus or minus 10 seconds.

10. Singles Level IV Freestyle General Rules • Skater may start program at any spot on skating surface. Judging and timing will begin when skater commences to skate. • This is a more advanced free style program. A well balanced program of free skating elements with emphasis on spins, jumps and footwork. • The program may include ½ revolution jumps and three full rotation jumps—salchow, toe loop and loop jump, but no other full rotation jumps. • The program may include a two foot spin-pick up the outside foot (a beginning back spin), but no other change of foot spin. Any full rotation jump besides salchow, toe loop and loop jump and any change of foot spin besides a beginning back spin as explained above, will receive a mandatory .2 deduction for each element. • The program must be performed to instrumental music. A mandatory .2 deduction will be made for vocal music. • The program will be two minutes, plus or minus 10 seconds.

11. Singles Level I Compulsory Element Group • Skaters shall skate each of the following elements separately and be given two opportunities to perform the element group. • Forward swizzles for a distance of ten meters, backward swizzles for a distance of ten meters and a one foot snowplow stop.

12. Singles Level II Compulsory Element Group • Skater must perform two 180 degree turns continuing in the same direction down the rink and stop in order to receive a score. • Skater starts at one end of the rink. Skater begins when instructed by the referee. Skater skates forward using stroking motion (not swizzles, a .2 deduction will be made for swizzles) to the second blue line or a point approximately two-thirds the length of the skating area. • At the second blue line, skater performs a backward to forward turn. After turn, skater skates forward to the finish line. At finish line, skater performs a T-Stop. • Each skater has two attempts to complete the compulsory element group. • Level II Compulsory Element Group crossovers around the hockey circles in figure eight pattern. One pattern clockwise and counterclockwise (with no stop between), minimum of five crossovers per circle.

13. Singles Level III Compulsory Element Group • Skater starts elements at point designated by the referee. Skater begins elements when so instructed by the referee. Skater must perform the following skills: • Outside and inside forward edges shall be skated. The skating edges shall be short strokes will correct take-offs from one foot to the other. Four consecutive edges beginning with the right foot and alternating to the left foot shall be skated across the width of the rink. • The skater shall execute a Forward Outside Three Turn on the right foot and a Forward Outside Three Turn on the left foot. This skill must be performed twice. The competitor shall approach, execute, and exit each Three Turn on one skate. The skate which the Three Turn is to be executed up on shall be the only skate to touch the ice one meter prior to, during, and one meter after the execution of each Three Turn.

14. Singles Level III Compulsory Element Group Cont. • The skater shall execute a right forward inside edge to left backwards inside edge open Mohawk and a left forward inside edge to right backward inside edge open Mohawk. The free leg should be extended before and after the turn. • Skater is allowed two attempts to receive one score for each of the above elements. The attempt which produces the highest aggregate score will count toward the skater’s final score. The score from the other attempt is discarded. Skater will perform the above elements separately.

15. Singles Level IV Compulsory Element Group • Skaters will skate outside and inside backward edges. The skating edges shall be short strokes with correct take-offs form one foot to the other. Four consecutive edges beginning with the right foot and alternating to the left shall be skated across the width of the rink. • Skaters must perform forward crossover, inside Mohawk, and backward crossover step forward (step sequence must be repeated two times and performed left and right). Skaters will skate a three step Waltz sequence: • The waltz three step is sequenced in a figure eight pattern. A two-step introduction may be added i.e. L-R-feet together, then RFO three, LBO edge, etc. Optional free leg on three-turns and on the back edge. A minimum of three, three-turn/back edge sequences per circle.

16. Pairs Compulsory Element Group • Teams shall consist of two athletes one male and one female, two females, or two males. • Skaters participating in this event must be a Level II singles skater and capable of passing Badges 1-10. • Skaters may perform any singles elements from Badges 1-10. Skaters start at a point designated by referee. Skaters begin when instructed by referee. • Level I Pairs will be skated as a continuous move.

17. Pairs Compulsory Element Group Cont. • Skaters have a maximum of 1 minute, 30 seconds to perform without music, using the following skills: Beginning in the hockey goal crease at the end of the rink, the couple will skate hand-in-hand forward stroking to the middle of the rink. Skate into a forward crossover figure eight pattern (one sequence clockwise and counter-clockwise), then continue forward stroking to the other end of the rink and at the goal crease execute a T-stop, then a side-by-side two foot spin. • Skaters will skate each compulsory element as a team. Each element will be performed separately. • Each team is allowed two attempts. The attempt, which produces the highest score from the judges will count toward the skater’s final score. The scores from other attempts shall be discarded.

18. Level I Pairs Freestyle • The program must be performed to instrumental music. A mandatory .2 deduction will be made for vocal music. Each team will perform a program lasting one minute, plus or minus ten seconds. This is a beginning Pair program. Any spin beyond a two foot spin and any jump beyond a bunny hop will receive a mandatory .2 deduction for each added element. The skills may be performed in any order. The skaters are not required to perform a set number of skills. However, the skaters will be judged on the quality of the performance and the content.

19. Ice Dancing Level I: Compulsory Dance • Skaters competing in Level 1 dance must have passed Badge 10 or Level II, but no higher than a Level III singles skater. All ice dancing competitions may be skated solo or may be skated by a dance team comprised of two Special Olympics athletes, one male and one female, two females or two males. • All Level 1 compulsory dances will be skated to music. Skaters will be required to perform the following: 2010 Rhythm Blues & Dutch Walz, 2011 Dutch Walz & Canasta Tango, 2012 Canasta Tango & Rhythm Blues, 2013 Canasta Tango & Rhythm Blues, 2014 Rhythm Blues & Dutch Walz.

20. Ice Dancing Level II: Compulsory Dance • All level II compulsory Dances will skate to music. The dance will commence at the end of the rink designated by the referee. The introduction may include a maximum of 7 steps. Skaters will be required to perform the following: 2010 Fiesta Tango & Cha Cha, 2011 Cha Cha & Swing Dance, 2012 Swing Dance & Fiesta Tango, 2013 Swing Dance & Fiesta Tango, 2014 Fiesta Tango & Cha Cha.

21. Ice Dancing Level III: Compulsory Dance • All level III Compulsory Dances will be skated to music. The dance will commence at the end of the rink designated by the referee. The introduction may include a maximum of 7 steps. Skaters will be required to perform the following: 2010 Willow Waltz & Hickory Hoedown, 2011 Hickory Hoedown & Ten Fox, 2012 Ten Fox & Willow Waltz, 2013 Ten Fox & Willow Waltz, 2014 Willow Waltz & Hickory Hoedown • See the SOI website for diagrams or all dances.

22. Figure Skating Skill Technique: Lesson on Forward Swizzles • #1 First stand with the knees straight. Put the heels together. Turn out the toes so that the feet make a "V.“ • #2 Bend the knees forward. Push the knees out over the toes by using the calf muscles. The blades should be on inside edges, but the feet should not fall too far to the inside. Once the knees push forward, and if the blades are on the correct inside edges, the skater will find himself gliding forward a bit. The weight on the skater's feet should move from the back of the skate to the middle of the blade. • #3 After gliding a bit, straighten the knees and make the toes touch. The weight on the feet will move to the front of the skate at this point. The speed during swizzles comes from bending and straightening the knees. Also, the skater must be on inside edges, not flats. Some new figure skaters find it difficult to bring the toes back together during this exercise. It is important that the skater use his or her knees at the midpoint of the swizzle to help move the toes together. If the toes don't touch immediately, the skater should not be discouraged. The toes will touch eventually as the skater practices swizzles over and over. Warning! If the skater allows the feet to go out too far without the knees distributed over the toes, he or she will go into the splits! Practicing swizzles over and over will help a skater become stronger at using the knees and edges. • #4 Bring the feet into a parallel position and glide for a short distance. Then, bend the knees and do another swizzle. Do several swizzles in a row without stopping.

23. Figure Skating Jumps • Toe Loop • A toe loop is done with a toe assist. While skating backward on an outside edge, the figure skater picks with the other toe, then jumps a half revolution in the air like a waltz jump, and lands on the foot that did not pick. The skater should be gliding backward on an outside edge when he or she lands. This jump was invented during the 1920's by Bruce Mapes who was an American professional show skater. In fact, in artistic roller figure skating, the toe loop is called a Mapes Jump. • Most of the time, the toe loop is entered from a forward inside three turn. • Salchow • A salchow jump is done from the back inside edge of one foot to the back outside edge of the other foot. A half revolution is done in the air. The salchow jump was invented by Ulrich Salchow in 1909. • The salchow is usually done from a forward outside three turn. After the three turn, the skater stops momentarily with the free foot extended behind, then swings the free leg forward and around with a wide scooping motion. Then, the skater jumps in the air and lands backwards on the foot and leg that did the scooping motion. • Sometimes, the salchow is entered from a forward inside mohawkinstead of a three turn.

24. Figure Skating Jumps • Loop • In a loop jump, an ice skater takes off from a back outside edge, jumps a full revolution in the air, and lands backward on the same back outside edge from which he or she took off. This jump is easy for non-skaters to recognize since there is no toe assist. It is considered an “edge jump" since no toe assist is used on the take off. Loop jumps are often done as the second jump in figure skating jump combinations.

25. Why Off the Ice Exercises? • Figure skating is a sport that puts significant strength and flexibility demands on the body. Athletes in other sports may say that figure skating is not a "sport" and it is more artistic performance, but they are quite wrong! Skaters are some of the strongest athletes in the world. • Some skaters have natural strength, balance, and core strength that will take them through the lower levels of skating quickly, but the majority of skaters need to improve upon each of those attributes in order to progress to higher levels. Once the "naturally talented" skaters reach a level at which double jumps and difficult spins are required, that natural ability will only take them so far. The core strength and plyometric strength requirements of the sport are significant, and at some point, a skater needs to build strength beyond what he or she naturally has. By completing an off-ice training program at least twice a week, skaters will progress their on-ice skills at a faster pace, and be able to handle the strength demands of jumping, spinning, and longer programs.

26. Some Examples… • Core strength and stability: Core strength originates from the abdominal and back muscles. These muscles work together to act as a "control center" for the body’s balance and stability. In the sport of figure skating, skaters need exceptionally strong core muscles to maintain balance, check rotation and maintain a tight air position for jumping, control the center of spin rotation, and control the upper body position during footwork, stroking, and crossovers. • Balance: Think about how much of skating is done on one foot: almost everything! Some people are blessed with natural balance, but the majority of us need improvement through exercises. There are several factors which affect the sense of balance in our body. First, our vestibular system (the inner ear) helps us sense the body’s position while we are moving. Second, the eyes help us detect our surroundings. Third, and most important for skaters, the balance receptors in our feet and lower extremities tell us where our bodies are in relation to the ground. • Strength and power: Without muscle strength, a skater would skate very slowly, have small jumps, have shorter and slower spins, and would tire easily in a program and in practice sessions. Strength creates power and can improve endurance, and is the number one necessity for a skater to improve and become consistent. Through exercise, a muscle’s fibers become tighter and stronger, and can withstand more repetition for longer durations when asked to contract. • Flexibility: Spirals, biellmans, split jumps, spread eagles...just to name a few elements that require extraordinary flexibility. Muscle flexibility controls the angle of the knee, hip, and ankle joint on a jump take-off and landing, and a small deficit in muscle length can affect the quality of a jump. Joint position and motion, controlled by the surrounding muscle length, also affects the angle of the joints in the lower extremity during basic stroking, crossovers, spins, and footwork. Each joint in your body needs a balance of flexibility on all sides to move in the proper range of motion.

27. What Kind of Off the Ice Exercises? • In the past ten years or so, sports training has progressed from solely using weight machines to using an athlete’s body weight as resistance in exercise. Many functional exercises incorporate the use of several muscle groups at one time, instead of exercises focusing on the contraction of a single muscle. How is this more beneficial? In every sport, an athlete moves his or her body in various planes of movement which require several muscles to co-contract at the same time. Each joint requires the strength from several muscles to stabilize it for the action it performs. Functional exercises train the body in these planes of movement to mimic the motions performed in sports. Many sports require a high degree of strength that an athlete may not have naturally; that strength needs to be created through additional training. Figure skating is no exception.

28. Terms • Approach: Steps or movements across the ice leading into a jump, spin or other move • Axis: An imaginary straight line around which skating curves are symmetrically grouped • Back Spin: Any one-foot spin where a counterclockwise spinner rotates on the right foot and a clockwise spinner on the left • Check: The notion of controlling rotation, shoulders counter-rotating against hips • Entry: Most frequently used to refer to the edge immediately preceding a spin or jump, often referred to as the ‘entry edge’

29. Terms Cont. • ISI: Ice Skating Institute • ISU: International Skating Union, the International Federation for Figure Skating • Lobe: The pattern made on the ice by an edge or steps, forming an arc of a circle that starts and finishes on an axis • Pivot: A movement in freestyle in which the skater places a toe pick into the ice and revolves around it • Pumping: An alternative term for one-foot fishies or swizzles • Rest: to start from rest means to start from a standstill • Step Sequence: A combination of edges and turns, usually executed in a straight line, circular or serpentine pattern

30. Terms Cont. • Strike: The action of placing the new foot onto the ice after a thrust from the skating foot • Stroking: The action of moving over the ice in such a way that the coordination of thrust, knee bend and transference of weight is used to produce the best results • Toe Pick: Any one of the sharp projections on the front of a skate blade, but most frequently refers to the lowest and usually the most prominent pick