Learn To Skate
USFSA Learn to Skate Curriculum
Snowplow Sam I
- A. Sit and stand up with skates on: Off ice
- B. Sit and stand up: on ice
- C. March in place.
- D. March forward - 8-10 steps.
- E. March, then glide on two feet.
- F. Dip in place. (3-5 year olds)
Snowplow Sam II
- A. March followed by a long glide.
- B. Dip while moving.
- C. Backward wiggles - 6 in a row.
- D. Forward two foot swizzles - 2-3 in a row.
- E. Rocking Horse - one forward, one backward swizzle action.
- F. Two foot hop in place. (3-5 year olds)
Snowplow Sam III
- A. Forward skating - 8-10 steps.
- B. Forward one foot glide - right and left.
- C. Forward swizzles - 4-6 in a row.
- D. Backward swizzles - 4-6 in a row.
- E. Forward snowplow stop.
- F. Curves. (3-5 year olds)
Basic I
- A. Sit on the ice and stand up.
- B. March forward across the ice.
- C. Forward two-foot glide.
- D. Dip.
- E. Forward swizzles - 6-8 in a row.
- F. Backward wiggles - 6-8 in a row.
- G. Snowplow stop.
- H. Rocking horse - 2-3.
- I. Two foot hop in place.
Basic II
- A. Forward one foot glides - right and left.
- B. Backward two-foot glide.
- C. Backward Swizzles - 6-8 in a row.
- D. Two foot turn from forward to backward in place.
- E. Moving snowplow stop.
- F. Forward alternating 1/2 swizzle pumps, in a straight line (slalom like pattern).
Basic III
- A. Forward stroking, showing correct use of blade.
- B. Forward 1/2 swizzle pumps on a circle, 6-8 consecutive clockwise and counter clockwise.
- C. Moving forward to backward two foot turn, clockwise and counter clockwise.
- D. Backward one-foot glides - right and left.
- E. Forward Slalom.
- F. Two foot spin - up to 2 revolutions.
Basic IV
- A. Forward outside edge on a circle, - right and left.
- B. Forward inside edge on a circle, - right and left.
- C. Forward crossovers, clockwise and counter clockwise.
- D. Forward outside three-turn, - right and left, from a stand still position.
- E. Backward 1/2 swizzle pumps on a circle, clockwise and counter clockwise.
- F. Backward stroking.
- G. Backward snowplow stop - right and left.
Basic V
- A. Backward outside edge on a circle, - right and left.
- B. Backward inside edge on a circle, - right and left.
- C. Backward crossovers, clockwise and counter clockwise.
- D. Beginning one foot spin - up to 3 revolutions, optional entry and free foot position.
- E. Hockey stop.
- F. Slide toe hop - both directions.
Basic VI
- A. Forward inside three-turn - right and left, from a standstill position.
- B. Moving backward to forward two foot turn on a circle, clockwise and counter clockwise.
- C. T-stop, right or left.
- D. Bunny hop.
- E. Forward arabesque/spiral on a straight line - right or left.
- F. Forward lunge - right or left.
Basic VII
- A. Forward inside open Mohawk from a standstill position.
- B. Backward outside edge to forward outside edge transition on a circle - right and left.
- C. Ballet jump - right or left.
- D. Backward crossovers to a backward outside edge glide, (landing position) clockwise and counter clockwise.
- E. Forward inside pivots, right or left.
Basic VIII
- A. Moving forward outside three-turn on a circle - right and left.
- B. Moving forward inside three-turn on a circle - right and left.
- C. Combination move: Forward crossovers (2) into forward inside Mohawk, cross behind, step into backward crossover (1) and step to forward inside edge - repeat 3 times, clockwise and counter clockwise.
- D. One foot upright spin, optional entry and free foot position.
- E. Waltz Jump.
- F. Mazurka - right or left.
Adult I
- A. Falling and recovery.
- B. Forward strides and glides.
- C. Forward swizzles - 4-6 in a row.
- D. Backward skating.
- E. Backward swizzles - 4-6 in a row.
- F. Forward on foot glides, one time skater's height, right and left.
- G. Two foot turns, in place.
- H. Snowplow stops, right or left.
- I. Forward curves on two feet.
- J. Forward 1/2 swizzle pumps on a circle - clockwise and counter clockwise.
- K. Forward Chasses on a circle, both directions.
Adult II
- A. Forward stroking.
- B. Backward 1/2 swizzle pumps on a circle - clockwise and counter clockwise.
- C. Moving two foot turns on a curve, clockwise and counter clockwise.
- D. Forward edge on a circle, outside and inside, clockwise and counter clockwise.
- E. Forward crossovers, clockwise and counter clockwise.
- F. Backward one foot glide, right or left.
- G. Backward snowplow stop - right or left. H. Forward pivot - one direction only.
Adult III
- A. Backward edge on a circle, outside and inside, clockwise and counter clockwise.
- B. Backward crossovers, clockwise and counter clockwise.
- C. Inside Mohawk, Right to left or left to right.
- D. Basic forward outside and forward inside consecutive edge (4-6).
- E. Forward progressives, clockwise and counter clockwise.
- F. Footwork sequence: Beginning with a two foot swizzle, to a forward progressive, followed by a forward Chasse, ending with a two foot side lunge around in a small circle.
- G. Beginning two foot spin.
Adult IV
- A. Forward three turns, outside, right and left.
- B. Perimeter stroking with crossover lend patterns.
- C. Forward Outside to Inside Change of Edge Sequence.
- D. Alternate backward crossovers with two foot transition.
- E. Footwork sequence: 3-5 forward crossovers to a inside Mohawk, 3-5 backward crossovers, step forward inside the circle and repeat.
- F. Power three turns, one direction only.
- G. Backward Chasses on a circle, clockwise and counter clockwise.
Freeskate I
- A. Advanced forward stroking.
- B. Basic forward outside and forward inside consecutive edges 4-6.
- C. Advanced back outside 3-Turns clockwise and counter clockwise - right and left.
- D. Scratch Spin from back crossovers (minimum 3 revolutions).
- E. Waltz jump - from 2-3 back crossovers.
- F. Half flip.
Freeskate II
- A. Basic back outside and back inside consecutive edges 4-6.
- B. Forward outside and forward inside spirals, clockwise and counter clockwise, right and left.
- C. Continuous forward progressive Chasse sequence, clockwise and counter clockwise.
- D. Waltz threes.
- E. Beginning back spin, two turns.
- F. Waltz jump, side toe hop, waltz jump sequence.
- G. Toe Loop.
Freeskate III
- A. Forward and backward crossovers in figure 8 pattern.
- B. Waltz Eight.
- C. Advanced forward consecutive swing rolls, 4-6.
- D. Backward inside 3-turn, clockwise and counter clockwise.
- E. Backspin with free foot in crossed leg position, Minimum 3 revolutions.
- F. Salchow.
- G. Half Lutz jump.
- H. Waltz jump/toe loop combo or Salchow/toe loop combo.
Freeskate IV
- A. Spiral Sequence: FI Spiral, FI Mohawk, BO Spiral, clockwise and counter clockwise.
- B. Forward Power 3 turns, Right and left.
- C. Continuous backward progressive, Chasse sequence on a circle, clockwise and counter clockwise.
- D. Sit Spin, 3 revolutions.
- E. Loop Jump.
- F. Waltz Jump/Loop Jump Combination.
Freeskate V
- A. Backward outside 3 turn, mohawk into 3 backward crossovers - repeat 3 times, clockwise and counter clockwise.
- B. Spiral sequence - Forward outside spiral, forward outside 3 turn, one backward crossover, back inside spiral, clockwise and counter clockwise.
- C. Forward outside slide Chasse swing roll sequence 3-6 times, alternating feet.
- D. Camel spin, minimum 3 revolutions.
- E. Forward upright spin to back scratch spin, 3 revolutions, each foot.
- F. Loop/loop combination.
- G. Flip jump.
- H. Waltz jump/falling leaf/toe loop jump sequence.
Freeskate VI
- A. Alternating back crossovers to back outside edge.
- B. 5 step mohawk sequence, clockwise and counter clockwise.
- C. Camel/sit spin combination, 5 revolutions.
- D. Split jump/stag jump.
- E. Waltz jump/ 1/2 loop/salchow.
- F. Lutz jump.
- G. Axel - Walk through, preparation, jump. (*Axel does not need to be landed to pass this test, skater should have an understanding of the mechanics.
