BASIC SKILLS & FUNDAMENTALS
Basic Skills teaches the fundamentals of ice skating and provides the best foundation for figure skating, hockey, and speedskating. Six progressive levels introduce forward and backward skating, stops, edges, crossovers, and turns. Upon completion of the Basic Skills 1-6 levels, skaters will be able to confidently advance to more specialized areas of skating. All classes will be well-structured with the focus on proper skill development taught in a positive, FUN, and social environment. Skaters will progress at their own rate and advance after skill mastery is demonstrated.
Discover, Learn and Play – Basic 1 and 2: These introductory levels allow new skaters with no prior skating
experience to build confidence while learning to skate.
FUNdamentals – Basic 3–6: These levels develop all of the fundamental skating skills on the ice. Focus is on learning the ABCs of basic athleticism: agility, balance,
coordination and speed. Upon completion of these levels, skaters will be able to confidently advance to more specialized areas of skating.
Off-ice orientation:
• Equipment check: proper fit and lacing of skates, appropriate attire, safety helmets
• Practice falling and recovery, marching in place, dips and one-foot balances in skates
BASIC 1
THE REQUIREMENTS
A. Sit on 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. Beginning snowplow stop on two feet or one foot
Bonus skill: Two-foot hop in place
BASIC 2
THE REQUIREMENTS
A. Scooter pushes — R and L
B. Forward one-foot glides — R and L
C. Backward two-foot glide — Glide the
length of skater’s height
D. Rocking Horse (one forward swizzle,
one backward swizzle) — Repeat twice
Bonus skill: Curves
E. Backward swizzles — 6–8 in a row
F. Two-foot turns from forward to
backward in place — clockwise and
counterclockwise
G. Moving snowplow stop
BASIC 3
THE REQUIREMENTS
A. Beginning forward stroking showing
correct use of blade
B. Forward half swizzle pumps on a
circle — 6–8 consecutive clockwise and
counterclockwise
C. Moving forward to backward twofoot turns on a circle — clockwise and
counterclockwise
Bonus skill: Forward pivots - clockwise and counterclockwise
D. Beginning backward one-foot glides
focus on balance
E. Backward snowplow stop R and L
F. Forward slalom
BASIC 4
THE REQUIREMENTS
A. Forward outside edge on a circle R - L
B. Forward inside edge on a circle R - L
C. Forward crossovers — clockwise and
counterclockwise
D. Backward half swizzle pumps
on a circle — clockwise and
counterclockwise
Bonus skill: Forward lunges — both legs
E. Backward one-foot glides — R and L
F. Beginning two-foot spin — Up to two
revolutions
BASIC 5
THE REQUIREMENTS
A. Backward outside edge on a circle — R and L
B. Backward inside edge on a circle — R and L
C. Backward crossovers — clockwise and
counterclockwise
D. Forward outside three-turn — R and L
Bonus skill: Side toe hop — R and L
E. Advanced two-foot spin — 4–6
G. Hockey stop — both directions
BASIC 6
THE REQUIREMENTS
A. Forward inside three-turn — R and L
B. Moving backward to forward twofoot turn on a circle — clockwise and counterclockwise
C. Backward stroking
D. Beginning one-foot spin — 2–4 revolutions, optional free leg position and entry
Bonus skill: Shoot the duck — R or L
E. T-stops – R and L
F. Bunny hop
G. Forward spiral on a straight line — R
or L
