Curriculum
The fundamental elements of synchronized skating are based upon each member of a team to have achieved a minimum level of fundamental skating skill development to be able to perform each of the required elements of Synchronized Team competitive skating events.
Four levels of synchronized workshops:
- Circle -
- Forward skating clockwise and counterclockwise
- Backward skating clockwise and counterclockwise
- Small circle to large circle
- Large circle to small
circle
- Line - (10-15 steps the width or length of the rink)
- Forward skating
- With alternating forward crossovers
- With change of axis
- Backward skating
- With alternating backward crossovers
- With change of axis
- Forward line transition to a backward line
- Backward line transitioning to a forward line
- Block - (10-15 steps in a simple block formation)
- Forward skating in shoulder hold position
- Backward skating in shoulder hold
position
- One change of axis and
one
change of direction
- A block sequence that
creates a
circular pattern covering the ice
- Wheel -
- Forward skating - two spoke wheel
- Parallel wheel
- Backward "S" wheel
- Four
spoke wheel
- Backward skating - two spoke wheel
- Parallel wheel
- Backward "S" wheel
- Four
spoke wheel
- Holds - Arm positions
- Shoulder to shoulder
- Hand to hand
- Basket Weave
- Intersections
- One line forward intersection
- One line forward intersection on one foot, a turn to follow after lines intersect
- Skaters perform a forward
lunge
while intersecting
- Transitions
- Circle transitioning from forward to backward
- A wheel and circle
- A circle and line
- A line and an Intersection
- An intersection and a block
Synchronized skating is a popular discipline both within U.S. Figure Skating and around the world. U.S. Figure Skating held the first U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships in 1984 and also hosted the first World Synchronized Skating Championships in 2000. There are approximately 525 synchronized teams registered with U.S. Figure Skating, and nearly 5,000 athletes participate annually in the synchronized skating sectional championships.
Synchronized skating is a team sport in which 8-20 skaters perform a program together. It uses the same judging system as singles, pairs and dance and is characterized by teamwork, speed, intricate formations and challenging step sequences. As with the other disciplines, all teams perform a free skate with required well-balanced program elements. In addition, teams at the junior and senior level perform a short program consisting of required elements.
Elements in synchronized skating include blocks, circles, wheels, lines, intersections, moves in the field, moves in isolation, no-hold step sequences, spins and pairs moves. The variety and difficulty of elements require that each team member is a highly skilled individual skater. The typical senior-level athlete has passed a senior or gold test in at least two disciplines.
Synchronized teams in the U.S. can compete in 14 different levels according to the age and skill level of the team members.
Recommended Reading:
References:
Resources:
combined with information from public institutions and athletic organizations/
associations that have a web presence with information concerning team and
individual sports programs:
The limited use of the materials for education purposes is allowed providing
credit is given for the source of the materials.
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