Figure skating are conducted by member clubs for their members and members of collegiate clubs as well as for individual members. This publication contains all test diagrams and test. Any clarifications to rules will be found online in technical notifications. Each level can have a specific number of jump combinations. Figure skating rulebook is the official publication for all the associations rules and bylaws. Usfs is the national governing body for the sport of figure skating in the united states and a member of the international skating union isu, the international federation for. Figure skating, testing determines what level skaters compete at. Outofclub test fees do not apply for any skater whose home club is a member of skating council of illinois. Moves in the field test level will not determine skaters. Ice dance is a discipline of figure skating that historically draws from ballroom dancing. The overall design of the new website was influenced by u. You will refer to it again and again, as will the developing skater of any age.
Types of skating competitions usfsa figure skating. Feb 22, 2018 notably, the pyeongchang games are the first to allow figure skaters to use music with lyrics for their programs, a new rule that was first introduced during the 20142015 figure skating season. Figure skating is a sport in which individuals, duos, or groups perform on figure skates on ice. Skaters earn points for their team based on their individual results in a variety of events. Figure skating may be taken by all figure skaters who are members of a member club or collegiate club, individual members who are currently registered with u. Figure skating rules, which can be found in the official u. Figure skating is the national governing body for the sport of figure skating in the united. In the context of a competitive program, moves in the field include spirals, spread eagles, ina bauers, hydroblading, and similar extended edge moves in the united states, moves in the field also refers to skill tests consisting of progressively more difficult edge and step. Figure skating s brand guidelines book, several inperson and virtual sessions with stakeholders and industrybased research. Adults can choose to test in the adult testing structure or the standard track.
Figure skating rule book to gain a better understanding of all the test rules and expectations before testing. Figure skating has been a part of the winter olympics since the games first began in 1924, and also made appearances at 1908 and 1920 summer olympics before that. Figure skating at the 2014 winter olympics team event. It was the first winter sport to be included in the olympic games, when it was contested at the 1908 olympics in london. Several references in this manual will be made to u. Us figure skating rule book safesport international skating union isu bay area ice dancers baid cal figure skating team silver stars synchronized skating. The latter option is available for free skate, pairs and free dance tests at the juvenilesenior levels and select adult levels. The official special olympics sports rules for figure skating shall govern all special olympics competitions. The isu judging system or the international judging system ijs, occasionally referred to as the code of points cop system, is the scoring system currently used to judge the figure skating disciplines of mens and ladies singles, pair skating, ice dance, and synchronized skating. Figure skating is the national governing body for the sport of figure skating in the united states. Skaters are required to comply with the well balanced program requirements outlined in the current usfs rule book in sections 5000. Preparation, maintenance and publication of annual rulebook, tests book and directory rules, rule changes, technical notifications and other clarifications. Still, youll likely have a coach for each difficult skill you learn. Skater must skate the scheduled session time signed in for.
When developing test and competition programs, skaters should check with their coach and the official usfs rulebook that is issued annually for the competitive seasons that starts on september first of each year. Under exceptional circumstances on a casebycase basis, variations from standards require approval from a governing body. V w warmup group group of skaters who warm up together immediately before skating their programs. The international skating union isu renamed the short dance to the rhythm dance in june 2018, prior to the 20182019 season. This test is a pass or retry two different elements may be retried if necessary. Nov 01, 2004 every skating parent should buy this book even before you buy skates.
Figure skating blades used during special olympics competitions must be sharpened to produce a flat to concave cross section without change to the width of the blade as measured between the two edges. Figure skating article about figure skating by the free. The ijs permits a total number of elements based on the competitive level. Snfsc is governed by an elected several member board. Watching the sochi 2014 mens short program last night, i see that the scoring has completely changed. Starting with 2008, the full package includes the actual rulebook, a separate book which includes the test rules and all dance and mif patterns, and 3rd separate book which is the directory of officials. It forms a right angle with the long axis where the lobes join. Proir to taking standard free skate tests, candidates must have taken and passed at least the equivalent level standard moves in the. National governing body for the sport of figure skating in the united states. You can aslo look for figure skating test sessions on the usfs test session calendar. Fulltime college students compete on behalf of their college or university. Most ice rinks offer group ice skating lessons, and part of most standard group figure skating lesson courses. This article outlines and explains figure skating tests and levels. If you are viewing this document electronically, the table of contents contains hyperlinks, so if you click on a rule, it will take you directly to the page with that rule.
The standard free skate test are divided into eight classes to be taken in the following order. Figure skating rulebook on the following pages, you will find the table of contents, which lists every section of rules. It is also available for free download right from the us figure skating website, if you prefer the pdf electronic version. Please note that the info here relates to usfsa skaters, and will be different for isi and international skaters. It specifies the rules for testing, competitions and all other figure skating related activities. This menu page links to information about the rules and the test elements and competition elements used for figure skating. Figure skating rulebook defines it as the skating by the couple of a creative dance program blending dance. Tests are regulated and recorded by us figure skating. Freestyle rules figure skating ford ice center and the scott hamilton skating academy are committed to the safety of all skaters and ensuring all have a fun environment both on and. In the united states, the junior olympics referred to a competition held to determine the national champions at the intermediate and juvenile levels. Figure skating definition of figure skating by merriamwebster. Figure skating, determines a skaters competition level.
Most skaters perform this test as a program without music. But costume rules werent clearly defined before the 1988 olympics, when katarina witt donned a costume cut scandalously high on the leg. Figure skating definition is skating characterized by the performance of various jumps, spins, and dance movements and formerly by the tracing of prescribed figures. Us figure skating rule book safesport international skating union isu bay area ice dancers baid cal figure skating team silver stars synchronized skating team dublin iceland oakland ice center golden skate.
Both men and women participate in their own singles events with pair skating events and ice dancing events open to both genders usually one male and one female. Quality paper and bindings were used,pictures and illustrations are beautiful. The short axis divides the figure into symmetrical lobes. Figure skating nonqualifying competitions per rule 1021 in the u. This advanced test structure makes it possible for figure skaters to. As with any competitive sport, a thick rule book governs the way competitive figure skaters can behave and dress. It was at that time that compulsory school figures, free skating, and special figures now modern school figures were distinguished. The figure skating test structure may be confusing to those new to ice skating. This publication contains all test diagrams and test information that was previously included in a separate publication. After the skater was done with his or her routine, the judges would each rate the routine from 0. Adults skaters 21 and older in the us have a separate competitive track which culminates in the u. Part two contains competition rules, test rules, moves in the field rules, rules for singles, rules for pairs, rules for ice dance, rules for synchronized skating, moves in the field diagrams and pattern dance diagrams.
Figure skating officials are hosted by clubs across the country and offer skaters the opportunity to highlight their abilities and advance to the next level. Figure skating regulates and governs the sport and defines and maintains the standard of skating proficiency. Facing in same direction the partners face in the same. The free skating segment of figure skating, also called the free skate and the long program, is the second of two segments of competitions, skated after the short program. Figure skating definition of figure skating by merriam. Get to know the us figure skating association usfsa if your skater is in the polar express learntoskate program, then your association with usfs has already begun. Authoritative prescriptive statements that stipulate the requirements what to dowhat not to do to comply with policy in specific situations. Sign log book and pay at the pro shop prior to each session. Moves in the field and free skating tests a skater must pass the moves in the field test before taking the same level free skating test.
Please refer to the official special olympics sports rules book for the complete listing of figure skating rules. The edge, a skating competition management software package for isi competitions. You will notice some new features and content on the members only website beginning in 2020. Compulsory dances 2009 rules figure skaters website. Figure skating is a member of the international skating union isu, the international federation for figure skating, and is a member of the u. The bylaws have ascending article numbers using roman numerals. The first ever figure skating club was started in 1742 in edinburgh, scotland. Permission is granted for clubs and rinks to reproduce for instructional or nonprofit purposes, with attribution. Figure skating find errors in this edition of the rulebook, corrections will be made in the. This book was bought as a gift for a figure skating fan. Karen demonstrates the pattern and offers details to focus on.
It specifies the rules for testing, competitions and. The rhythm dance rd is the first segment of an ice dance competition. Tests, for figure, free skate, moves in the field, pairs and ice dance, are the measurement of progress in the various branches of the sport. The handbook includes the latest rule revisions and new competition events, and provides a wealth of information, standards and resources. Moves in the field is a name given to elements of figure skating that emphasize basic skating skill and edge control. Isi ice skating program the ice sports industry isi. The test structure, considered the foundation of u. Champions of the united states part seven world figure skating museum and hall of fame published august 2010 by u.
Before the winter olympic games were started, competitions in figure skating were part of the summer olympic games, in 1908 and 1920. Rulebooks in hardcopy paper or cd are available direct from us figure skating for a very nominal price. Adult figure skating championships colloquially adult nationals. Figure skating and are otherwise qualified under these rules, as well as by members of a member association of the isu. Founded in 1921, the association has more than 750member, schoolaffiliated and collegiate clubs. It is also available for free download right from the us figure skating website, if you prefer the pdf electronic version starting with 2008, the full package includes the actual rulebook, a separate book which includes the test rules and all dance and mif.
While figure skating coaches arent dealing with large teams, there arent usually as many of them. Figure definition in the cambridge english dictionary. Figure skating simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. At least one partner must have passed the appropriate pairs test. With the reimagination of, members only has also undergone several changes resulting in a more organized and robust experience for members. I remember that figure skating used to be scored on a 6. Figure skating has an entire test structure that is beyond basic skills ice skating tests. Our purpose has always been to promote interest in all phases of skating. Yulia lipnitskaya rus became the secondyoungest olympic gold medalist in figure skating, behind maxi herber who won pair skating at the 1936 winter olympics. French ice dancers gabriella papadakis and guillaume cizeron hold the highest rd score of 90.
The isu began to develop rules, standards, and international tests for ice dance in the 1950s. Figure skating find errors in this edition of the rulebook, corrections will be made in the online version. Some of these skills include spins, jumps, skating backward, dancing, outfit designers, rhythm, and whatever specific and expert advice you need for a certain performance. Figures which consist of three lobes have two short axes which divide the figure into its three lobes. All figure skaters must have turned 15 yearsold before july 1, 2017 to be eligible for the. The rulebook can be viewed as a pdf file online at and is also available in the u. The combined report of action details all bylaw and rule changes made through the past year by the board of directors and governing council.
Pairs free skating program open to all qualified skaters. Isi has introduced more than 10 million individuals to the world of ice skating. Figureskating article about figureskating by the free. Usfsa rulebook united states figure skating association. The skating leg should be flexed and the knee slightly bent. Related posts figure skating tips how to figure skate. It became part of international competitions in july 2018. The board meetings are held at least once monthly and are open to all members. Both competitive and recreational skaters can take tests to continually challenge themselves and aim to achieve new goals. I was confident that this book would be well received. The skater is free to choose the number and the type of elements to be included, subject to the requirements outlined in the requirements for individual assessmentstests and competitions. This advanced test structure makes it possible for figure skaters to be eligible to compete in certain competitions. As an international sports program, special olympics has created these rules based upon international skating union isu.
Karen heng olson discusses the full backward twizzle pattern from the us figure skating novice moves in the field test. X y z zayak rule a rule stating that skaters are only allowed to perform a jump once in a program, twice if the jump is in combination with another jump. Figure skating tests are hosted by usfs figure skating clubs. Its duration, across all disciplines, is four minutes for senior skaters and teams, and threeandonehalf minutes for junior skaters and teams.
Figure skating and passing proficiency tests allow skaters to advance to the next level. When the free leg is temporarily in front of the skater its knee and ankle should be gracefully extended. This information is provided to give you an understanding of what is expected at each level. Learn more about tests in the adult test structure. Skaters should ckeck with the official usfs rulebook and with their coach. Men, pairs, ice dance and, when applicable, synchronized skating.
The free leg should be slightly bent at the knee, generally held over the tracing with the free foot not too close to the skating foot. The ice sports industry isi is a nonprofit for owners, operators and developers of ice skating facilities. Most divisions at this competition are nonqualifying events with open entries, but there is also a more rigorous set of qualifying events called championship ev. Snfsc is a member of us figure skating usfs, the major governing body of all figure skating clubs in the united states. Figure skating is a sport in which single athletes or teams of athletes conduct artistic performances on ice. A name for various competitions in different countries.
Thankfully, figure skating rules are more straightforward than the scoring system. The athlete must skate up to the event they are seeking test credit for, in addition to having already passed any prerequisites prior to the competition event. Junior worlds an informal name for the world junior figure skating championships. It was designed and implemented by the international skating union isu, the ruling body of the sport. Skaters can be tested in movesinthefield, freestyle, partner dance, solo dance and pairs skating, etc. With the exception of water in shatter proof container, food and beverages are prohibited. It is recognized as such by the united states olympic committee usoc under the ted stevens olympic and amateur sports act and is the united states member of the international skating union isu. A program of a specified length, skated to music of the skaters choice. Figure skating rules bowling green state university.
The united states are the current world leaders in olympic figure skating, holding a total of 49 medals overall. Further description of the elements of each test is available in the rule book. Under modern age eligibility rules, herber would have been 99 days too young to skate at the olympics. This site is produced privately as a service to skaters and is not endorsed by us figure skating or other organizations.
Maintenance of the long axis, the short axis and symmetry of the figure should especially be observed. A figure skating program consists of various elements, jumps, spins, spirals, and footwork. The usfsa rulebook is the official guide to rules and requirements. Skating scandals and the rules they inspire howstuffworks. Rikki samuels is a fountain of useful information, and she has written it down to make a book we have needed for a long time. Most clubs try to schedule about 4 figure skating test sessions a year.