Figure Skating!
We are proud to offer basic skills classes through a program provided by the U.S. Figure Skating Association (USFSA). The Basic Skills Program is designed by U.S. Figure Skating to be the best beginning ice skating program that serves the needs of both the recreational and competitive skater.
The curriculum is designed to keep skaters enthusiastic about learning from the time they begin lessons until the time they reach their goals. Whether their goal is to achieve Olympic fame or simply enjoy the recreational benefits of skating, the Basic Skills Program is the place to start!
Recognizing the value and importance of the Basic Skills Program, Marshalls has teamed up with USFSA to serve as the program’s official title sponsor. This commitment further expands Marshall’s strong interest in figure skating. With the support of Marshalls, we are working to further develop and promote grassroots skating on a nationwide level.
USFSA classes are designed so that each class builds upon the skills learned at the previous level. All skaters are in need of good, strong, sharpened figure skates. Participants should wear warm, non-binding clothing and gloves.
Basic/Beginner Skill Level
Basic Skills
Designed for beginner and intermediate skaters ages 4-15, and those who have completed the Snow Plow Sam levels.
Basic 1
Skaters will learn to safely fall and stand, march across the ice, glide on two feet, dip, snowplow stop, learn forward swizzles and backward skating, hop on two feet, and learn a rocking horse.
Basic 2
Skaters will learn forward one-foot glides, backward two-foot glides, a moving snowplow stop, backward swizzles, slalom pattern pumps, and forward to backward two-foot turns.
Basic 3
Skaters will learn forward stroking, half swizzle pumps on a circle, backward one-foot glides, forward slaloms, a two-foot spin, and moving forwards to backwards two-foot turns.
Basic 4
Skaters will learn forward outside and inside edges on a circle, forward crossovers, backward stroking, backward snowplow stops, and forward outside 3-turns.
Basic 5
Skaters will learn backward outside and inside edges on a circle, backward crossovers, a hockey stop, side toe hops and a beginning one foot spin.
Basic 6
Skaters will learn forward inside 3-turns, bunny hops, spirals, lunges, T-stops and a moving backward to forward two foot turn.
Bacis 7
Skaters will learn forward inside pivots, ballet jumps, forward inside open mohawks, a backward outside edge to a forward inside edge transition, backward crossovers to backward outside edge glides.
Basic 8
Skaters will learn moving inside and outside 3-turns, one foot upright spin, a waltz jump, a mazurka, and a combination move including forward crossovers to an inside mohawk, backward crossovers to forward inside edges.
Advanced Levels
(precise and clean moves: beginning to end)
Skill Level - Free Skate
Free Skate is designed for skaters who have completed the Basic Skills classes.
Free Skate 1
Skaters will learn advanced stroking, basic forward inside and outside consecutive edges, advanced back outside 3-turns, scratch spins, waltz jumps and a half-flip jump.
Free Skate 2
Skaters will learn back inside and outside consecutive edges, forward inside and outside spirals, a forward progressive chasse sequence, waltz threes, a beginning back spin, a toe loop jump, and a waltz jump/side toe hop/waltz jump combination.
Free Skate 3
Skaters will learn forward and backward crossovers in figure 8 pattern, a waltz eight, swing rolls, back inside 3-turns, advanced back spin, a salchow jump, a half lutz jump, and a waltz jump/toe loop or salchow/toe loop combination.
Free Skate 4
Skaters will learn a spiral sequence, forward power 3-turns, backward chasse sequence, a sit spin, a loop jump, and a waltz jump/loop jump combination.
Free Skate 5
Skaters will learn a spiral sequence, a slide chasse swing roll sequence, a camel spin, a forward scratch to back scratch spin, a flip jump, loop/loop combo, waltz jump sequence, and a footwork sequence.
Free Skate 6
Skaters will learn a five-step mohawk sequence, a camel/sit spin, a lutz jump, waltz jump combination, a split or stag jump, alternating back crossovers to back outside edges, and axel jump preparation.