Basic Skills What you need to know!
Central Illinois Figure Skating ClubDecember 2015
Agenda• What is Basic Skills?
• Basic Skills vs. Pepsi Ice LTS Program
• Selecting a coach
• Competing – Illinois Basic Skills Series
• When is it time to become a full member?
What is Basic Skills?• The mission of the Basic Skills is to provide a goal-
oriented program that encourages ice skating at all levels and to enhance the quality of skating skills at these levels. The objectives of the program are:
• To provide a fun and safe skating experience for the beginner as well as the more advanced skater• To teach correct technique of the simple basic elements• To promote health and physical fitness• To enable all participants to achieve the skills necessary to
either skate for fun the rest of their lives or to move competently into the U.S. Figure Skating advanced test and/or competitive structure
Basic Skills – Grass Roots • Fundamental Classes• Snowplow Sam 1 – 3 • Basic Skills 1 – 8 • Adult 1 – 6 • Hockey 1 – 4 • Special Olympics 1 – 12
• Specialty Classes • Freeskate 1 – 6• Synchro 1 – 4• Theatre on Ice 1 – 4• Dance 1 – 6• Pairs 1 – 6• Artistry in Motion 1 – 4• Speed 1 – 6
• http://www.usfsa.org/content/BS-overview.pdf
Basic Skills vs. Pepsi Ice LTS Program• Commonly the U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills
program is ran through the facility
• Pepsi Ice Center runs its own hybrid LTS program combining elements from ISI & USFSA• Snowball 1 – 3• Blades 1 – 6 • Adults 1 – 4• Jump & Spin 1 – 4
Basic Skills vs. Pepsi Ice LTS Program
Basic Skills - Bridge Program
Basic Skills JAM
Pepsi Ice LTS
Group Classes
CIFSC Full
Membership
Basic Skills - Bridge Program• The JAM Basic Skills membership is under the
umbrella of CIFSC. • What does this mean?• JAM skaters are technically not club members• They do not have club voting rights • They DO receive special perks
Perks of becoming CIFSC J.A.M. Member • Permitted to skate on club ice• Invited to perform in duets and group routines for
winter exhibition• Invited to perform in group routines for spring
show• Participate in Buddy Program• Purchase J.A.M. t-shirt
Selecting a Coach • There are many reasons to hire a private coach for
your child.• Excel at a faster pace than in group lessons• Supplement group lessons• Provide assistance on a difficult skill• Help when the skater is ready to compete more seriously
• Things to consider when selecting a coach are:• Personality• Learning & Teaching styles • Skating background • Coaches Compliance• PSA Member, CER certified
Competing – Illinois Basic Skills Series• Basic Skills Competition Mission Statement• The purpose of a Basic Skills competition is to promote a
FUN, introductory, competitive experience for the beginning skater. Basic Skills competitions are designed to promote a positive competition experience at the grass-roots level.
Illinois Basic Skills Series• http://www.skatingcouncilofillinois.org/• During the season, skaters will have the chance to
compete at different competitions and earn points for a final standing. • Season is July 1st to June 30th
• There are Basic Skills competitions across the state at least 1 a month
• Track placements for Freeskate and Compulsory Events • Snowplow Sam• Basic 1 through Basic 8 • Free skate 1 through Free Skate 6, • Introductory Levels: Beginner through No Test • Pre-Preliminary Test Track through Preliminary Test Track • Pre-Preliminary Well Balanced through Preliminary Well Balanced
Judging Basic Skills Competitions• 6.0 • Judges take notes during all skaters performance• After all done, judges individually place each skater• Referee (really computer) then tallies the placements with
majority receiving “1” earns first place.
• Compulsory Event – Judges give skater 1 score• Freeskate Event – Judges give a Technical and Presentation
score • Technical mark - judge's evaluation of the quality of the
elements skated…Jumps, Spins, Footwork.• Presentation mark - reflects a judge's assessment of the
program as a whole: of its composition, originality, and use of ice, and of the skater's carriage, style, and expression of the music chosen.
Sample Judges Record Sheet
Preparing your Skater for Competition• Determining competition level• This is something the parent, skater and coach should come to an
agreement on• Skaters should be placed in a level where they can be fully
confident in performing skills required but still pushing them to advance.• Ex. Skater is in entry level Jump & Spin class, competes at Basic
Skills 4• Allow ample practice time for skater leading up to
competition• Once skater is registered for competition add additional
practice ice time and lessons • Parent and coach should help guide skater to set
performance goals for competition• GOAL - Skater wants clean strokes through crossover (no toe
pushes). As a result skater places well!• Try not to set goal expectations for getting 1st place
Conduct and Sportsmanlike Behavior• Focus on effort, participation, fun and skill-
building, not on winning. • Teach your child to be gracious in defeat. Show
interest, enthusiasm and support for your child and other skaters.
• Be in control of your emotions. • Parents need to parent, and coaches need to
coach.• Do not compare your child with other skaters. • Do not make negative comments to skaters,
parents, officials or coaches.
When is it time to join a FSC?• Once a skater is ready to take official U.S. Figure
Skating tests or compete in competitions beyond Basic Skills, joining a club becomes necessary.• Pre-Preliminary• Preliminary• Pre-Juvenile• Juvenile• Intermediate• Novice• Junior• Senior
RESOURCES – Docs on Web• www.usfsa.org• www.skatepsa.com• www.skatingcouncilofillinois.org