Lesson Descriptions-

We have recently changed to United States Figure Skating Association Learn-to Skate program! With every completed level you will earn the badge to go with it!

Snowplow  Sam Program

The Snowplow Sam levels are designed to help the preschool-age skater develop preliminary coordination and strength to maneuver on the ice. Snowplow Sam is a big, fuzzy polar bear who loves to skate. Time with Snowplow Sam will allow preschool children to become comfortable on the ice.

Snowplow Sam 1

1. Sit and stand up with skates on – off Ice

2. Sit and stand up – on Ice

3. March in place

4. March forward – 8–10 steps

5. March, then glide on two feet

6. Dip in place

Snowplow Sam 2

1. March followed by a long glide

2. Dip while moving

3. Backward wiggles – six in a row

4. Forward two-foot swizzles – 2-3 in a row

5. Rocking horse- 1 forward, 1 back swizzle

6. Two-foot hop in place

Snowplow Sam 3

1. Forward skating – 8–10 steps

2. Forward one-foot glide – R and L

3. Forward swizzles – 4–6 in a row

4. Backward swizzles – 4–6 in a row

5. Forward snowplow stop with skid

6. Curves

Basic Skills 1–8

The “basic skills” are the fundamentals of the sport. These eight levels introduce the basic moves: forward skating, backward skating, stops, edges, crossovers, turns and Mohawks. Upon completion of Basic 1-8 levels, skaters will have a basic knowledge of the sport, enabling them to advance to more specialized areas of skating.

Basic 1

1. Sit on ice and stand up

2. March forward across the ice

3. Forward two-foot glide

4. Dip

5. Forward swizzles – 6–8 in a row

6. Backward wiggles – 6–8 in a row

7. Snowplow stop

8. Rocking horse – 2–3

9. Two-foot hop in place (optional)

Basic 2

1. Forward one foot glides – R and L

2. Backward two-foot glide

3. Backward swizzles – 6–8 in a row

4. Two-foot turn from forward to backward in place

5. Moving snowplow stop

6. Forward alternating half swizzle pumps in a straight line (slalom-like pattern)

Basic 3

1. Forward stroking, showing correct blade use

2. Forward half swizzle pumps on a circle 6–8 consecutive counter- & clockwise

3. Moving forward to backward two-foot turn – counter- &counterclockwise

4. Backward one-foot glides – R and L

5. Forward slalom

6. Two-foot spin – up to two revolutions

Basic 4

1. Forward outside edge on a circle – R & L

2. Forward inside edge on a circle – R & L

3. Forward crossovers, counter- & clockwise

4. Forward outside three-turn, R and L from a stand-still position

5. Backward half swizzle pumps on a circle, counter- & clockwise

6. Backward stroking

7. Backward snowplow stop – R and L

Basic 5

1. Backward outside edge on a circle R & L

2. Backward inside edge on a circle- R & L

3. Backward crossovers, clockwise & counterclockwise

4. Beginning 1-foot spin- up to three revs, optional entry and free-foot position

5. Hockey stop

6. Side toe hop – both directions

Basic 6

1. Forward inside three-turn- R & L from a standstill position

2. Moving backward to forward 2-foot turn on a circle, clockwise and counterclockwise

3. T-stop – R or L

4. Bunny hop

5. Forward arabesque/spiral on a straight line – R or L

6. Forward lunge – R or L

Basic 7

1. Forward inside open Mohawk from a standstill position – R to L and L to R

2. Backward outside edge to forward outside edge transition on a circle- R and L

3. Ballet jump – R and L

4. Backward crossovers to a backward outside edge glides (landing position), clockwise and counterclockwise

5. Forward inside pivots – R or L

Basic 8

1. Moving forward outside 3-turn on a circle- R & L

2. Moving forward inside 3-turn on a circle- R & L

3. Combination move: Forward crossovers (2) into forward inside Mohawk, cross behind, step into backward crossover (1) and step to forward inside edge

4. One-foot upright spin, optional entry and free- foot position

5. Waltz jump

6. Mazurka – R and L

Free Skate Curriculum

Each Free Skate level is divided into four sections: moves in the field, spins, dance/footwork sequence and jumps. The Free Skate levels are designed to give skaters a strong foundation on which to build their skills. This is the point where the skater can choose whether to pursue a recreational or competitive approach to the sport of figure skating.

Free skate 1

1. Advanced forward stroking

2. Basic forward outside and forward inside consecutive edges (4-6)

3. Advanced back outside three-turns counter- and clockwise (R and L)

4. Scratch spin from back crossovers- three revolutions minimum

5. Waltz jump – from 2-3 back crossovers

6. Half flip

Free skate 2

1. Basic back outside and back inside consecutive edges (4-6)

2. Forward outside and forward inside spiral counter- & clockwise (R and L)

3. Continuous forward progressive chasse sequence; counter- & clockwise

4. Waltz threes

5. Beginning back spin – two turns

6. Waltz jump, side toe hop, waltz jump seq.

7. Toe loop

Free skate 3

1. Front & backward crossovers in figure 8

2. Waltz 8

3. Advanced forward consecutive swing rolls

4. Backward inside three-turn: clockwise and counterclockwise

5. Backspin with free foot in crossed leg position – three revolutions minimum

6. Salchow

7. Half Lutz jump

8. Waltz jump-toe loop combo or Salchow-toe loop combo on a circle- counter- & clockwise