Noarlunga Ice Sports Centre

Entry $9.00

+ 15 min private lesson = $10.00 or 30 min private lesson = $20.00

Accredited Figure Skating Coaches under the APSA (Australian Proffesional Skaters Association)

An Introduction to Figure Skating

Figure Skating is a sport with many dimensions.  its  many disciplines include: Singles Freestyle, Pairs Freestyle, Dance, Synchronised and Figures.  More about them later.   But first, what about the sport in general?

Skaters normally begin to skate in a group lesson environment, such as the ISA's Learn-to-Skate program, called "Aussie Skate".  Aussie Skate classes are taught at most rinks around Australia on a regular basis throughout the year, and are a very cost-effective way to learn the basics of skating, whether your interest is in competitive figure skating, recreational skating, or hockey.  When skaters have learned the basic elements of skating in this group environment, many will join a skating club and begin to further develop those skills by working with a private instructor, or "Coach". 

Club skaters typically practice anywhere from 1 to as many as 12-15 hours per week, depending on their level of interest, competitiveness, and budget.

Many skaters compete, and when they do so, they compete within groups of other skaters with similar ability levels.  These abilities are proven by the passage of official ISA tests, taken in front of ISA appointed judges at designated "test sessions".  The tests establish several "Levels" of skating in each discipline.  When you watch skating on TV you are watching skaters who have passed all the way to the top of the test structure, called the "Senior" level.  But there are many levels below Senior, and most club skaters are somewhere on that ladder, moving upwards.  Competitive skating levels are not determined by age, although often in competitions, age will be used as a secondary factor to group smaller "flights" of skaters within a single test level.

Freestyle
This is the discipline in Figure Skating that most spectators are familiar with.  In Freestyle skating, or "Singles Freestyle" skating, a competitive skater performs a "program" that lasts anywhere from 1 to 4-1/2 minutes, is composed of elements such as jumps and spins, and is usually skated to music.

 In freestyle competition, both "long" and "short" programs are skated.  The "short program" at each level has a very specific list of elements which must be performed, and the skater is marked on his/her performance of those elements.  Specific deductions are taken for missing or failed elements, and for added or repeated elements.  The "long program"  has no list of required elements, only a general set of guidelines for what should or should not be included.  Skaters are marked on both the quality of elements performed and the difficulty & content of the program.  Contrary to popular belief, there are no required deductions for falls in a long program, however the skater is given no credit for having executed or tried the maneuver which caused the fall.

 In Singles Freeskating, there are 9 Test Levels defined.  With the exception of the first four, each test is a program skated to music, with very specific required elements (sort of like a "short program" for competition).  In the "Elementary" freestyle test, the skater is asked to perform jumps and spins as separate elements.  The singles freestyle test levels are: Preliminary, Elementary 1, Elementary 2, Elementary 3, Primary, Intermediate, Novice, Junior, and Senior.

Pairs
Pairs skating is similar in many respects to singles freeskating, except that 2 skaters perform together.  This adds all sorts of opportunities for new moves, such as lifts, throws, and pair spins and jumps.  Pairs skating has both "long" and "short" programs, just like singles freeskating, and a test structure which includes: Intermediate, Novice, Junior, and Senior.

Dance
Ice Dancing is the discipline within skating that most emphasizes the "beauty" of the sport, rather than the athleticism.  Dance emphasizes the techniques of edgework, flow, and motion of 2 skaters together in rhythmic interpretation of music.  Ice Dancing has 2 main focus areas, the "Compulsory Dances", and the "Free Dances".

 In compulsory dances, skaters are given a very specific pattern to follow.  This pattern is shown in the form of a drawing which specifies the skater's moves right down to which foot is doing what particular step during every single "beat" of the music.  Dancers are marked on their ability to skate the required pattern with demonstrated musical feeling.

 In free dances, skaters get to make up their own "programs", within specified guidelines.  These programs must demonstrate basic dance elements and steps in a musical, but not "theatrical" way.  No jumps or spins are allowed, and dancers are required to stay close together throughout the course of the dance program.

Dance is one of the skating disciplines where age is no barrier. Many adults and senior adults nationwide enjoy this discipline for both its athletic value and its social aspects.

Figures
Figures is another of the technical disciplines, one primarily emphasizing body control and edges/turns.  Figures are the famous "figure 8s" for which the sport is named, and there are dozens of different ways to modify the basic figure 8 for testing purposes.  Each variant emphasizes a certain skill, and all require great concentration and stamina to perform.  Figures are still tested and competed, although this discipline is dropping in popularity of late.

Ice Etiquette & Safety Guidelines

Skating is basically an individual sport, and activities during most practice sessions are pretty unstructured.  It is important to know though, that some basic rules must be observed for safety, and to ensure that everyone can make effective use of their ice time.  Your rink/club will have its own set of rules, and you should be sure to know and follow them.  This section outlines some basic concepts which are common to most clubs.

Courtesy
First and foremost is courtesy.  It is essential to respect the rights of other skaters and be constantly aware of who is around you.  If you seem to be surrounded by skaters of significantly greater or lesser skills, be especially careful!  Strive to avoid collisions!

 "On Program" and "In Lesson" Get Priority
In most rinks, the skater who is "on program" (who's music is playing) has the right of way at all times, and other skaters are expected to give them free maneuvering room.  Second in priority are those skaters who are currently in lessons with their coach.  Always yield to these skaters as well.

Lutz Corners
Because of the nature of the Lutz jump, it is most commonly performed in the 10:00 and 4:00 corners of the rink (unless you have a lot of clockwise jumpers in your club).  These corners are informally called the "Lutz Corners", and can usually be identified by the unusually large concentration of divots in the ice.  Strive to avoid long-term practice activities in these corners, and try to be especially aware of your surroundings when you are in them.  Remember that the approach to a Lutz is long and blind.  The skater doing the Lutz is not likely to see you.

Dangerous Singles Moves
When you are practicing elements like camel spins and back spirals be especially aware of the danger your exposed blade poses to other skaters.  Recognize that once you've started the element it will be hard for you to see those around you.  Take a good look at your expected "space" before you start the element, and abort it if it looks like you could cause a problem.

Watch out for Pairs Skaters
If you've got pairs skaters at your rink, and they are practicing on the same session as you, be aware that two skaters moving together take up more room than one, and generally can't react as nimbly or quickly as a single skater.  If they are doing lifts, be aware that once a lift is started, the skaters are pretty much committed to their "path", and that getting into that path can be dangerous for both you and them.

Falls and Injuries
If you should fall, get up quickly.  Remember that the other skaters will have a much harder time seeing you when you are down low on the ice.  Don't stay there any longer than you have to.  While falling, remember to keep your fingers away from your blades.  And learn to fall properly so that you can protect your head as much as possible.  Learn to keep "loose" when you fall and this will help you to avoid breaking things.
If you see someone else is that has fallen and may be injured, don't just drag them off without being certain that doing so won't hurt them further.   If you suspect that someone is seriously hurt, the best thing to do is, 1) have someone stand "guard" over them to make sure that other skaters avoid collisions with them, and 2) get a qualified adult to come and help them.  A blanket or warmup jacket/sweatshirt laid over them might help to keep them warmer while waiting for qualified help to arrive.

Predictability
As you skate more, you'll get to the point where you'll recognize that a practice session has a certain "rhythm" to it.  People tend to do pretty  "expectable" or "predictable" things, and you can usually pretty much guess where somebody else is going, based on what they're doing when you see them (the normal approaches to each jump or spin are pretty recognizable). If you're a "wrong way" skater (clockwise jumper) be aware that other skaters will probably guess wrong about your intentions pretty often.   If you have clockwise jumpers in your rink, try to recognize them and adjust your expectations accordingly. Try not to skate or behave in a way that would surprise other skaters.  If you're standing near the boards, don't enter the flow of skaters without checking to make sure you're not going to get into someone else's way.

Edges and Turns

Jumps

Spins

Connecting Elements