Learn to Skate

Our Learn to Skate program has joined hands with U.S. Figure Skating, the national, governing body of skating on ice in the United States. U.S. Figure skating is a member of the International Skating Union (ISU) and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. The Basic Skills Learn to Skate program was developed by U.S. Figure Skating to provide a fun, safe atmosphere for all students to learn how to ice skate. The program provides a bridge to the organization’s testing and competitive structure.

It is the leading learn-to-skate program in the United States that serves the needs of the recreational and the competitive skater and it is designed to be fun, challenging and rewarding.

Download the Basic Skills Learn to Skate Schedule

Class level in parenthesis next to course titles are the former ISI equivalent.

TEDDY BEAR

TOT CLASSES

• Snow Plow Sam 1 (Tot 1) - Sit and stand-up, proper fall, march in place and while moving, two foot glide, dip in place.
• Snow Plow Sam 2 (Tot 2) - March with a long glide, dip while moving, back wiggles, rocking horse, forward swizzles, two foot hop.
• Snow Plow Sam 3 (Tot 3) - Forward stroking, one-foot glides, forward swizzles, back swizzles, snowplow stop, curves.
• Snow Plow Elite (Tot 4 & up) - Forward pumps on a circle, slalom, inside and outside edges, forward and backward two foot turns, etc.

BASIC SKILLS CLASSES

• Basic 1 (Pre-Alpha) - Learn to skate across the ice, glide on two feet, dip, swizzle forward, back wiggles, snow plow stop, rocking horse and hop on two feet.
• Basic 2 (Alpha) - Forward one foot glides, backward sizzles, backward two foot glides, two foot turns from forward to backward, snowplow stops, forward alternating     pumps.
• Basic 3 (Alpha Plus) - Forward stroking, pumps on a circle, forward and backward two foot turns, back one foot glides, slalom, and two foot spin.
• Basic 4 (Beta) - Forward outside and inside edges, forward crossovers, forward outside three turns, back pumps on a circle, back stroking and back snowplow stop L and R.
• Basic 5 (Beta Plus) - Backward outside and inside edges on a circle, back crossovers. Beginning one foot spins, hockey stop, side toe hop.
• Basic 6 (Gamma) - Forward inside three turns, moving back to forward two foot turns, T-Stops L or R, bunny hop, forward spiral L&R, forward lunge  L or R.
• Basic 7 (Delta) - Forward inside mohawk turn R to L and L to R, back outside edge to forward outside edge transition on a circle R & L, ballet jump, back crossovers to back outside edge clockwise and counter clockwise, forward inside pivots R or L.
• Basic 8 (Freestyle 1) - Forward outside and inside three turns on a circle R & L, one foot spin, waltz jump, mazurka jump, combo move: forward crossover into mohawk, step, cross behind, step, crossover, step forward on an inside edge, repeat three times, clockwise and counter clockwise.

ADULT LEVEL CLASSES

• Adults All levels - All adult class with various ice skating abilities ranging from Basic 1-5 skills will be taught according to the skating level and ability.
• Adults 1 (Pre-Alpha) - Falling and getting up properly, forward strides and gliding, forward and back swizzles, one foot glides, snowplow stop, two foot turns in place, forward curves, forward pumps on a circle.
• Adults 2 (Alpha) - Forward stroking, back pumps on a circle, forward outside and inside edges on a circle, forward crossovers, back one foot glides, forward pivots, forward chasses on a circle.
• Adults 3 - Back edges on a circle, back crossovers, inside mohawks, beginning two foot spin, back snowplow stop R & L, forward consecutive edges.

GIVE IT A SHOT – LEARN TO SKATE HOCKEY CLASS

FREESTYLE CLASSES

• Freestyle 1 - Advanced forward stroking, consecutive outside and inside forward edges, advanced back outside three turns, scratch spin from back crossovers min. 3 revolutions, waltz jump from back crossovers, half flip jump.
• Freestyle 2 - Backward consecutive outside and inside edges, forward outside and inside spirals R & L, clockwise and counter clockwise, waltz three turns R & L, Forward progressive chasse sequence clockwise and counter clockwise, toe loop jump, waltz jump/side toe hop /waltz jump sequence.
• Freestyle 3 - Forward and backward crossovers in a figure eight, waltz eight, advanced forward swing rolls, back inside three turns, back spin, salchow jump, half lutz jump, waltz jump combination: waltz/toe loop or waltz/salchow.
• Freestyle 4 - Spiral sequence: forward inside spiral, mohawk, back outside spiral clockwise and counter clockwise, forward power three turns R & L, sit spin, loop jump, waltz,/loop combination, continuous back progressive chasse sequence on a circle.
• Freestyle 5 - Spiral sequence: forward outside spiral, forward outside three turn, one back crossover, back inside spiral, clockwise and counter clockwise, camel spin, change spin, loop/loop combination jump, flip jump, waltz/falling leaf/toe loop sequence, forward outside slide chasse swing roll, sequence, footwork turns sequence.
• Freestyle 6 - Alternating back crossovers to back outside edges, five step Mohawk sequence, camel /sit spin, stag or split jump, lutz jump, waltz/1/2 loop/salcow, axel walk through.
• Techniques - An on-ice class for figure skaters covering basic to advanced skating techniques related to jumps, spins, and ice dancing.
• Competitive - An introduction to the ‘Moves in the Field’ test track which will be a way to master the skills required to pass the test (must have passed Alpha).
• Synchronized Skating - The Synchronized Skating Team of Tucker Road, United Skates, debuted in the 2011 Basic Skill and ISI Season.  They have been competing for just 7 months in many local competitions. The team is designed through the United States Figure Skating Basic Skills Program to promote fun, team building and skating skill learning. Click here to check out our website for special events such as bake sales, skating equipment second hand sales, exhibition performances, competition schedules and results. Involves a team of 8 or more skaters performing various maneuvers and formations to music (must be able to stop and have taken at least one series of ice skating lessons).
• Theater on Ice - A creative an artistic program using costumes and props for skaters of all levels.  Participants compete in local competition.