DISCLAIMER: Please DO NOT try to learn this stuff on your own, especially if you are a beginner. Sign up for group classes or private lessons at your local rink. I have seen random, non-skaters attempt to imitate me on the ice and end up with a broken nose or worse when they fell.
Moves in the Field
Moves in the Field (MIF) is all about intricate footwork and precise edge control. Basically, if it isn't a jump or spin, then it's a part of Moves in the Field. Ice Dancing and the artistic portions of Freeskate programs all use Moves in the Field heavily.
Common types of moves are: forward stroking, spirals, 3 turns, Bracket turn, Choctaw turn, Crossover, Mohawk turn, Rocker turn, Twizzles, waltz eight, power pulls, forward counters, etc.
If you're curious about what any of these moves look like, go to youtube and search for that specific move's name.
Some of these moves may look easy, but they're not. So be careful if you try anything.
Common types of moves are: forward stroking, spirals, 3 turns, Bracket turn, Choctaw turn, Crossover, Mohawk turn, Rocker turn, Twizzles, waltz eight, power pulls, forward counters, etc.
If you're curious about what any of these moves look like, go to youtube and search for that specific move's name.
Some of these moves may look easy, but they're not. So be careful if you try anything.
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Some Olympic examples of Moves in the Field (MIF). These skills are very important. You can learn all kinds of spins and jumps, but if you don't also study MIF, you will look like a grandma moving around the ice in between your jumps/spins. Jumps and spins are more like "special tricks", while MIF is where you can show your talent at ice skating itself. MIF is what teaches skaters' power and fine edge control, not jumps/spins.
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Spins
In general, spins tend to be "easier" than jumps. There's a reason why you see Olympic skaters fall on jumps and rarely ever spins.
There are three basic positions: sit, camel, and upright. All spins are variations of these 3 positions.
Upright spins: scratch, back scratch, layback, haircutter, Biellmann, pearl, "I"-spins, "Y"-spins, shotgun, etc.
Sit spins: pancake, broken leg, tuck behind, cannonball, etc.
Camel spins: catch-foot, layover, donut spin.
During a spin, the skater rotates on the spin rocker part of the blade just behind the toe pick. Spins may be performed individually or in a sequence of different spins. Spins may be performed on either foot, but most skaters rotate counterclockwise. About 15% of skaters rotate clockwise. Clockwise rotation is more common among left-handed people, but not guaranteed. Plenty of clockwise skaters are right-handed. So your dominant hand does not determine which direction you will rotate. A few rare skaters are able to rotate in both directions.
Counterclockwise skaters - When they spin on their left foot, it is a normal spin. When they spin on their right foot, it is called a backspin. aka back-scratch-spin, back-sit-spin, back-camel-spin. All counterclockwise skaters learn to spin on their left foot first. Then later on, they learn to spin on their right foot for backspins. On both their left and right legs, they always spin in the counterclockwise direction.
Clockwise skaters - they are the complete opposite. They first learn to spin on their right foot, and then later learn to rotate on their left foot for their backspins. On both their right and left legs, they always spin in the clockwise direction.
Spins are generally entered via 3-turns or backward crossovers. If a spin is entered through a jump, it is called a flying spin.
Flying spins: flying camel, flying sit spin, death drop, and butterfly spin. A death drop is a more advanced entrance into a flying sit spin. A butterfly spin is a more advanced entrance into a flying camel spin.
In pair skating, spins are usually performed side-by-side or in a specific pair spin. It is crucial to find a partner who spins at a similar rate to you as possible and then learn to adjust to each other for a perfect match in side-by-side spins.
There are three basic positions: sit, camel, and upright. All spins are variations of these 3 positions.
Upright spins: scratch, back scratch, layback, haircutter, Biellmann, pearl, "I"-spins, "Y"-spins, shotgun, etc.
Sit spins: pancake, broken leg, tuck behind, cannonball, etc.
Camel spins: catch-foot, layover, donut spin.
During a spin, the skater rotates on the spin rocker part of the blade just behind the toe pick. Spins may be performed individually or in a sequence of different spins. Spins may be performed on either foot, but most skaters rotate counterclockwise. About 15% of skaters rotate clockwise. Clockwise rotation is more common among left-handed people, but not guaranteed. Plenty of clockwise skaters are right-handed. So your dominant hand does not determine which direction you will rotate. A few rare skaters are able to rotate in both directions.
Counterclockwise skaters - When they spin on their left foot, it is a normal spin. When they spin on their right foot, it is called a backspin. aka back-scratch-spin, back-sit-spin, back-camel-spin. All counterclockwise skaters learn to spin on their left foot first. Then later on, they learn to spin on their right foot for backspins. On both their left and right legs, they always spin in the counterclockwise direction.
Clockwise skaters - they are the complete opposite. They first learn to spin on their right foot, and then later learn to rotate on their left foot for their backspins. On both their right and left legs, they always spin in the clockwise direction.
Spins are generally entered via 3-turns or backward crossovers. If a spin is entered through a jump, it is called a flying spin.
Flying spins: flying camel, flying sit spin, death drop, and butterfly spin. A death drop is a more advanced entrance into a flying sit spin. A butterfly spin is a more advanced entrance into a flying camel spin.
In pair skating, spins are usually performed side-by-side or in a specific pair spin. It is crucial to find a partner who spins at a similar rate to you as possible and then learn to adjust to each other for a perfect match in side-by-side spins.
Click on the images below to see a video clip for
each spin!
Camel spin variations:
Illusion spin is one of my favorites, as well as the "stars" entrance into flying camel spins.
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Sit spin variations:
Upright spin variations:
Pairs spin variations:
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Now that you're all spin masters, how many spins can you recognize in this video?
Hint: Pay attention to leg position and the entire body's position. The arms will vary as skaters like to add their own artistic flair to a spin. But it is still a standard spin. |
Jumps
Jumps require leaping into the air and rotating rapidly to land after completing one or more rotations. Jumps are identified by their entrance and the number of rotations. There are six standard jumps in figure skating: Toe loop, Salchow, Loop, Flip, Lutz, and Axel.
All jumps land in the same, exact way: on a back outside edge. That is why jumps are identified only by their entrance.
Just like with spins, most skaters are counterclockwise jumpers. Only skaters who spin clockwise will also jump clockwise. For sake of clarity, all jumps will be described for counterclockwise skaters. If you are a clockwise skater, it is the complete opposite.
The number of rotations in the air determines whether a jump is a single, double, triple, or quad. But there are several "half-rotation" jumps beginners learn when they are first starting out.
Senior-level, Olympic male skaters regularly perform triple or quadruple jumps. Senior-level, Olympic females regularly perform triple jumps, except for the triple axel. Only a few women in history have cleanly landed a triple axel in competition. A few rare females have attempted a quad jump, but only one female has successfully landed one in competition. [Update: 2018-2019 is year of the quad for ladies. Many top female skaters, particularly the Russians, are now landing triple axels and quads as often as the men do. It's an exciting time for the sport.]
Toe jumps:
Toe jumps are performed by tapping the toe pick into the ice and vaulting into the air.
1. Toe loop takes off from a back outside edge and is launched by the same toe pick.
2. Flip takes off from the back inside edge and is launched by the opposite toe pick.
3. Lutz takes off from the back outside edge and is launched by the opposite toe pick.
Edge jumps:
Edge jumps do not use the toe pick at all.
1. Salchow takes off from a back inside edge, with the opposite leg swinging around and helps launch the skater into the air.
2. Loop takes off from a back outside edge and lands on the same edge.
3. Axel is the only jump to take off from a forward edge. Because it takes off from a forward edge, it is actually one-half rotation greater than its name. So a single axel is actually 1.5 rotations in the air, a double axel is 2.5 rotations, a triple axel is 3.5 rotations etc.
Some other jumps that are not part of the basic six jumps and are commonly used as transitions between different elements are: ballet jump, half loop, half flip, half lutz, walley jump, waltz jump, split jump, toe walley, stag jump, falling leaf, mazurka, etc. The bunny hop is a non-rotational jump and typically the first jump learned by beginners.
Combination jumps are jumps that take off from the same edge that was landed on in the previous jump. The most common jumps that follow the first jump in a combination are loops and toe loops because they take off from a back outside edge. Jumps that are not directly linked are considered sequences.
In pair skating, there are side-by-side jumps and Throw jumps, where the man throws the woman into the jump. Because of the extra power and height of a Throw jump, this is where you will see ladies landing triple or quad jumps.
All jumps land in the same, exact way: on a back outside edge. That is why jumps are identified only by their entrance.
Just like with spins, most skaters are counterclockwise jumpers. Only skaters who spin clockwise will also jump clockwise. For sake of clarity, all jumps will be described for counterclockwise skaters. If you are a clockwise skater, it is the complete opposite.
The number of rotations in the air determines whether a jump is a single, double, triple, or quad. But there are several "half-rotation" jumps beginners learn when they are first starting out.
Senior-level, Olympic male skaters regularly perform triple or quadruple jumps. Senior-level, Olympic females regularly perform triple jumps, except for the triple axel. Only a few women in history have cleanly landed a triple axel in competition. A few rare females have attempted a quad jump, but only one female has successfully landed one in competition. [Update: 2018-2019 is year of the quad for ladies. Many top female skaters, particularly the Russians, are now landing triple axels and quads as often as the men do. It's an exciting time for the sport.]
Toe jumps:
Toe jumps are performed by tapping the toe pick into the ice and vaulting into the air.
1. Toe loop takes off from a back outside edge and is launched by the same toe pick.
2. Flip takes off from the back inside edge and is launched by the opposite toe pick.
3. Lutz takes off from the back outside edge and is launched by the opposite toe pick.
Edge jumps:
Edge jumps do not use the toe pick at all.
1. Salchow takes off from a back inside edge, with the opposite leg swinging around and helps launch the skater into the air.
2. Loop takes off from a back outside edge and lands on the same edge.
3. Axel is the only jump to take off from a forward edge. Because it takes off from a forward edge, it is actually one-half rotation greater than its name. So a single axel is actually 1.5 rotations in the air, a double axel is 2.5 rotations, a triple axel is 3.5 rotations etc.
Some other jumps that are not part of the basic six jumps and are commonly used as transitions between different elements are: ballet jump, half loop, half flip, half lutz, walley jump, waltz jump, split jump, toe walley, stag jump, falling leaf, mazurka, etc. The bunny hop is a non-rotational jump and typically the first jump learned by beginners.
Combination jumps are jumps that take off from the same edge that was landed on in the previous jump. The most common jumps that follow the first jump in a combination are loops and toe loops because they take off from a back outside edge. Jumps that are not directly linked are considered sequences.
In pair skating, there are side-by-side jumps and Throw jumps, where the man throws the woman into the jump. Because of the extra power and height of a Throw jump, this is where you will see ladies landing triple or quad jumps.
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Watch the video for a tutorial on the six basic jumps in figure skating.
*NOTE: He is an Olympic skater so his jumps are HUGE. The figure skaters you see at your local ice rink will not jump that high. Here's a great video that will show you the difference in rotations: Single, Double, and Triple rotation jumps: Loop jump rotations. It's pretty easy to tell how many rotations are in a jump just by the speed of the rotation. The more rotations in the jump, the faster the skater has to rotate before he hits the ground! Just look at Yuzuru Hanyu's insanely fast Quad loop (4 rotations)!
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Lifts (pair skating), Spirals, and other Moves in the Field
Lifts are a required element in pair skating and ice dancing. Pair skating lifts are usually overhead whereas ice dancing does not permit lifts higher than the shoulder.
Legal holds for lifts: waist holds, hand-to-hip holds, hand-to-hand press lifts, hand-to-hand lasso lifts.
A Twist lift is where the woman is thrown into the air, twists, and is caught by the man.
Pair skaters usually begin as single skaters and later on find a partner. Some skaters continually move in and out of singles and pairs competitions as partners come and go. In any case, pair skating has all the same elements and moves as single skating. The elements are just combined in a million different fascinating ways for pairs.
*If you would like to learn more about Pairs skating, please see my "Extra Lesson" in the top menu.
Spirals
A standard spiral only needs to achieve hip-height, but many advanced skaters will bring the free leg much, much higher.
Legal holds for lifts: waist holds, hand-to-hip holds, hand-to-hand press lifts, hand-to-hand lasso lifts.
A Twist lift is where the woman is thrown into the air, twists, and is caught by the man.
Pair skaters usually begin as single skaters and later on find a partner. Some skaters continually move in and out of singles and pairs competitions as partners come and go. In any case, pair skating has all the same elements and moves as single skating. The elements are just combined in a million different fascinating ways for pairs.
*If you would like to learn more about Pairs skating, please see my "Extra Lesson" in the top menu.
Spirals
A standard spiral only needs to achieve hip-height, but many advanced skaters will bring the free leg much, much higher.
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There is such an endless array of lifts in pair skating and ice dancing, I can't even begin to list them all. Here's a video with a lot of different lift combinations.
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SKILL LEVELS AND TESTS
Now I will show where all of the elements fit into the testing levels of USFSA (United States Figure Skating Association) and ISI (Ice Skating Institute). Every country's skating level system will be set up differently, but all should be very similar.
BASIC SKATE LEVELS
If you don't know how to ice skate at all, then you need to start in the Basic Skating classes to learn how to move around the ice well BEFORE you start learning jumps and spins. No one is going to put you in a Freestyle class until you demonstrate you can skate well.
Basic Skate classes are:
ISI Level USFS Level
Pre-Alpha Basic 1-2
Alpha Basic 3-4
Beta Basic 5
Gamma Basic 6
Delta Basic 7
Freestyle 1 Basic 8
*Click here for a list of the Basic Skills that must be mastered before moving on to Freestyle spins/jumps.
Some rinks will have separate Adult basic classes simply labeled "Adults 1-4". But it's the same skills as the Basic Skate classes. Adults can still take the Basic Skate classes instead of the Adult 1-4 classes because there is no age limit on Basic Skate.
Depending on the rink and class setup, I sometimes recommend taking the Basic Skate classes instead of the Adult 1-4 classes in order to advance faster. Kids aren't afraid to fall down and you can learn quickly in those classes. The Adult 1-4 classes are usually full of adults terrified of falling down, which slows down how fast the teacher moves on to teaching the next element. If you're a fast learner, you will quickly grow bored waiting on terrified adults. But it just depends on your rink and how fast you want to progress. I don't really recommend private lessons until you hit Freestyle level 1 or level 2.
Some rinks will have group lessons for Freestyle levels, and some only have private lessons. But you will always learn faster in private lessons once you hit Freestyle levels. Many Freestyle skaters continue to take both group lessons and private lessons in order to advance as fast as possible.
You might be able to make it through Freestyle 1-3 on group lessons alone, but Freestyle 4+ is going to be very, very difficult without a private lesson.
*Note: All ice rinks are set up differently and may have different names for their classes. Some rinks have named their Basic Skills or MIF classes "Freestyle" or "Free skate"! Which means there are no jumps or spins taught in the class! In this set up, they usually call the advanced classes "Spins class" or "Jumps class". So just ask and make sure you know what you're signing up for.
FREESTYLE SKATE LEVELS
In the ISI testing system, Moves in the Field and Jumps/Spin elements are included together in one test. In USFS, Moves in the Field tests and free skate tests are separate. First, a skater passes the Moves in the Field test at a particular level, and then the Free Skating test. You cannot take a Free Skating test without first passing the corresponding Moves test, but you can continue advancing in the Moves levels even if you never take the Free Skating tests.
The USFS specifically has an Adult track (age 21+) that adults can test in, which has lower required passing scores to make it easier for adults to pass tests, instead of testing in the standard track with all of the kids. However, the USFS Adult track switches to the normal track at the Intermediate test level.
Adult levels are called Pre-Bronze, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. After that, an adult skater switches to the Intermediate level in the standard track.
Adult Pre-Bronze, Bronze, Silver, and Gold have the same required elements as the kids' standard track levels, so you're not missing anything, you just get judged less severely during tests, which is great for adults who may not be as strong or flexible as young kids.
Here is a comparison chart for how all of the levels in the different tracks line up. I'm listing a few of the skills in each level so you understand the level of difficulty.
BASIC SKATE LEVELS
If you don't know how to ice skate at all, then you need to start in the Basic Skating classes to learn how to move around the ice well BEFORE you start learning jumps and spins. No one is going to put you in a Freestyle class until you demonstrate you can skate well.
Basic Skate classes are:
ISI Level USFS Level
Pre-Alpha Basic 1-2
Alpha Basic 3-4
Beta Basic 5
Gamma Basic 6
Delta Basic 7
Freestyle 1 Basic 8
*Click here for a list of the Basic Skills that must be mastered before moving on to Freestyle spins/jumps.
Some rinks will have separate Adult basic classes simply labeled "Adults 1-4". But it's the same skills as the Basic Skate classes. Adults can still take the Basic Skate classes instead of the Adult 1-4 classes because there is no age limit on Basic Skate.
Depending on the rink and class setup, I sometimes recommend taking the Basic Skate classes instead of the Adult 1-4 classes in order to advance faster. Kids aren't afraid to fall down and you can learn quickly in those classes. The Adult 1-4 classes are usually full of adults terrified of falling down, which slows down how fast the teacher moves on to teaching the next element. If you're a fast learner, you will quickly grow bored waiting on terrified adults. But it just depends on your rink and how fast you want to progress. I don't really recommend private lessons until you hit Freestyle level 1 or level 2.
Some rinks will have group lessons for Freestyle levels, and some only have private lessons. But you will always learn faster in private lessons once you hit Freestyle levels. Many Freestyle skaters continue to take both group lessons and private lessons in order to advance as fast as possible.
You might be able to make it through Freestyle 1-3 on group lessons alone, but Freestyle 4+ is going to be very, very difficult without a private lesson.
*Note: All ice rinks are set up differently and may have different names for their classes. Some rinks have named their Basic Skills or MIF classes "Freestyle" or "Free skate"! Which means there are no jumps or spins taught in the class! In this set up, they usually call the advanced classes "Spins class" or "Jumps class". So just ask and make sure you know what you're signing up for.
FREESTYLE SKATE LEVELS
In the ISI testing system, Moves in the Field and Jumps/Spin elements are included together in one test. In USFS, Moves in the Field tests and free skate tests are separate. First, a skater passes the Moves in the Field test at a particular level, and then the Free Skating test. You cannot take a Free Skating test without first passing the corresponding Moves test, but you can continue advancing in the Moves levels even if you never take the Free Skating tests.
The USFS specifically has an Adult track (age 21+) that adults can test in, which has lower required passing scores to make it easier for adults to pass tests, instead of testing in the standard track with all of the kids. However, the USFS Adult track switches to the normal track at the Intermediate test level.
Adult levels are called Pre-Bronze, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. After that, an adult skater switches to the Intermediate level in the standard track.
Adult Pre-Bronze, Bronze, Silver, and Gold have the same required elements as the kids' standard track levels, so you're not missing anything, you just get judged less severely during tests, which is great for adults who may not be as strong or flexible as young kids.
Here is a comparison chart for how all of the levels in the different tracks line up. I'm listing a few of the skills in each level so you understand the level of difficulty.
USFS MIF/Freestyle standard track | USFS Dance/Pairs track | USFS Adult track | skills | ISI level | |
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Beginner Freestyle levels | |||||
Pre-prelim | - | Adult Pre-Bronze | waltz, salchow, toe-loop, half-flip, half-lutz, one-foot-spin, scratch spin | Freestyle 1-2 | |
Preliminary | Prelim | Adult Bronze | loop, flip, back scratch spin, sit spin | Freestyle 3-4 | |
Pre-Juve | Pre-Bronze | Adult Silver | lutz, camel spin, camel to sit spin combo, front scratch to back scratch combo spin | Freestyle 4-5 | |
Juvenile | Bronze | Adult Gold | axel, layback spin, back sit spin, back camel spin | Freestyle 5-6 | |
Advanced Freestyle levels | |||||
Intermediate | Pre-Silver | (adult track switches to standard track. adults and children now on the same track.) | double salchow, double toe-loop, sit to back sit combo spin, camel to back camel combo spin, flying camel spin | Freestyle 6-7 | |
Novice | Silver | - | double loop, same spins but revolutions must be increased to at least 5 per position | Freestyle 7-8 | <--- This is the level I'm personally working on right now. |
Junior | Pre-Gold | - | double flip, flying sit spin, flying change foot back sit spin. revolutions must be increased to at least 6 per position | Freestyle 8-9 | |
Senior | Gold | - | double lutz required. Double axel and Triple jumps not required but allowed. Death drop sit spin, butterfly camel spin. | Freestyle 9-10 |
Here's a list of random girls in the different skill levels. Notice how the quality of the jumps and spins get better and better as you advance through the ranks. Also, their speed on the ice increases, and their artistic quality (ability to express emotion while performing) improves. That's the difference between someone who has been skating for 10+ years vs someone who has only been skating for just 1-2 years.
Quality of figure skates compared to skating level:
Basic skills classes = any $100 pair of beginner ice skates
Freestyle 3-5 = $300 pair of intermediate ice skates for single jumps
Freestyle 6-10 = $400-$500+ pair of advanced ice skates for double jumps
Freestyle 10+ = $700+ ice skates (likely custom) for triple jumps, Olympics. (Olympic skaters are easily wearing $1000-$2000 or more on their feet and they replace these skates every few months because, despite the high quality of the skates, the skates cannot withstand the constant pounding of triple or quad jumps etc.)
*Note: Remember what I said about overbooting in the previous lesson. It is a very bad idea to buy a boot that is above your skill level because it will be too stiff for you to skate in.
So how tough is it to advance through these levels?
Let's pretend 1000 people sign up for skate lessons and they don't quit early. Quitting early is the biggest reason for why people don't advance thru the levels more often.
Probably 95% of skaters make it thru beginner classes to Freestyle level 1.
Probably 50% of skaters make it to Freestyle level 5 and land a single axel.
Probably 20% of skaters make it to Freestyle level 8-9 (aka all of the double jumps except double axel)
Probably 2-5% land double axels and a few easier triple jumps, like triple salchow and triple toe-loop.
Less than 1% go on to land triple axels or quad jumps or go to the Olympics.
According to USFSA's own test records, roughly 30,000 skaters pass skating tests each year. Of those 30,000 successful tests only 250 were senior-level tests. (Skaters fail tests all the time, so these are only the successful ones.) So you can see how rare senior-level skaters are, even if they aren't heading to the Olympics. USFSA says that the general amount of time for a skater to reach and pass senior-level tests is 12 years and the most common age of accomplishment is 17 years old. AKA most of those skaters started skating when they were only 5 years old. Passing tests is a big deal and gets your name added to the USFSA's official lists here. You can see how many adult skaters passed their senior tests each month compared to how many teenagers passed it.
Realistic Goals:
If you don't quit early, then at the very least you can make it up to working on the single axel in a few years. If you really persevere and are patient, you can probably land the single axel and a few double jumps. But anything past that is highly unlikely, unless you've been training since you were a small child in an elite facility with elite coaches. So you should be very impressed by the Olympics because skaters landing double axels, triple jumps, and especially quad jumps are very rare.
I just recently started landing my single axel in November 2017. So my personal long-term goal is to hopefully land all of my double jumps in the next few years. I would love to make it up to working on double axel and a few easier triples like triple salchow, but I will have to wait and see how far I can get. Generally, skaters that aren't extremely talented (or young) hit a brick wall in terms of progress when they reach double axel and triple jumps.
The more days per week you go to the ice rink to practice, the faster you will improve your skills. You get out of skating what you're willing to put in. I'm out at the ice rink almost every single day during the week for 1-2 hours of practice each day, because I want to improve as fast as possible. But plenty of adult skaters are more casual and relaxed about it and aren't looking to move thru the ranks quickly, so they only go practice 1 or 2 days a week.
Being an adult, I can drive myself to the rink and use my own money to pay for lessons and practice ice sessions. If you still live with your parents, you'll have to convince them to drive you and pay for things. Some teens get a part-time job to help pay for things. Some are able to get a part-time job at the ice rink itself to earn free ice time!
As a child, my mom did not like me ice skating. So I was only able to talk her into buying me ice skates and paying for private lessons and practice sessions, which she drove me to only once or twice a week. I never got to go to competitions as a child since that would have cost more money. But the good news is, since I returned to skating as an adult, I finally entered my first competition and had a great performance! So get what you can out of your parents for now, and maybe in the future you can do more. =)
Even after mom forced me to quit ice skating, I was careful to maintain my skills for 12 years because I knew I wanted to come back one day. After I graduated college and got a job, I did return! And I was able start exactly where I left off since I didn't forget any of my skills!
Further info:
These are just generalizations based on what I've seen and heard in the sport. It's not set in stone, but I am trying to give you a realistic idea of what to expect so you can set realistic goals for yourself. Some talented skaters fly thru the ranks in just a few years, others take much, much longer due to things like lack of strength or flexibility, fear of falling, injuries of some kind, not enough time to practice, etc.
Jumps -
If you started training as a little kid, there's a chance you could land double axel and a few triples, although you would have to travel to a bigger city to take lessons from elite coaches. The usual small town ice rink only does doubles, not triples.
There are a few people who started training as teens and managed to work up to double axel and triples too. But the cut-off point definitely seems to be about 20 years old. If you start training after 20, then you'll be too old (like 30) by the time you would reach triples and your body would protest too much.
All of this varies per person. Males can usually start later than females and do just fine because they are stronger. Some people who are very athletic and strength train a lot are able to pull it off in the later years too. But it gets very rare to make it to triples if you didn't start young enough and have access to elite coaches who know how to teach triples. Even further, quad jumps are still extremely rare among men and only top level Olympic skaters who trained from childhood can do them.
Spins -
Most people can learn most spins. The main difficulty lies in the flexibility of the person. Men have a harder time with layback spins and Biellmann spins because they don't have as much flexibility in their back as women usually do. And men often won't study such spins anyway because they consider them to be a "girly" spin lol. Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan is one of the few men who regularly does these spins, but he does have a very lithe and flexible body similar to a female.
If you start as a child and work on your flexibility, the Biellmann spin is very, very likely. If you start as an adult and you're not already able to do the splits, you might be able to improve your flexibility enough to do it one day, but it becomes much rarer. Bones and muscles harden as you age, which means the highest levels of a sport become very difficult. Sit spins and camel spins should be possible unless you're over 50+ years. The more flexible spins like Y-spins, haircutter spins, Biellmann spins, donut spins, etc will depend on your ability to do the splits and have a very flexible back. These spins are not hard if you have that level of flexibility.
Jumps = strength
Spins = flexibility
In summary, I'd say 20 years old is usually the cut-off point for learning triple jumps one day. Somewhere in the 40s or 50s age range is the cutoff point for learning double jumps. And there isn't any cutoff point for half jumps and single jumps, judging from our 90-year-old skater in the last lesson. =)
Men can start a little bit later than these categories and do fine because they are naturally stronger.
So yeah, as long as you have enough flexibility on your side, any spin is possible. As long as you have enough strength (and young age) on your side, any jump is possible.
Basic skills classes = any $100 pair of beginner ice skates
Freestyle 3-5 = $300 pair of intermediate ice skates for single jumps
Freestyle 6-10 = $400-$500+ pair of advanced ice skates for double jumps
Freestyle 10+ = $700+ ice skates (likely custom) for triple jumps, Olympics. (Olympic skaters are easily wearing $1000-$2000 or more on their feet and they replace these skates every few months because, despite the high quality of the skates, the skates cannot withstand the constant pounding of triple or quad jumps etc.)
*Note: Remember what I said about overbooting in the previous lesson. It is a very bad idea to buy a boot that is above your skill level because it will be too stiff for you to skate in.
So how tough is it to advance through these levels?
Let's pretend 1000 people sign up for skate lessons and they don't quit early. Quitting early is the biggest reason for why people don't advance thru the levels more often.
Probably 95% of skaters make it thru beginner classes to Freestyle level 1.
Probably 50% of skaters make it to Freestyle level 5 and land a single axel.
Probably 20% of skaters make it to Freestyle level 8-9 (aka all of the double jumps except double axel)
Probably 2-5% land double axels and a few easier triple jumps, like triple salchow and triple toe-loop.
Less than 1% go on to land triple axels or quad jumps or go to the Olympics.
According to USFSA's own test records, roughly 30,000 skaters pass skating tests each year. Of those 30,000 successful tests only 250 were senior-level tests. (Skaters fail tests all the time, so these are only the successful ones.) So you can see how rare senior-level skaters are, even if they aren't heading to the Olympics. USFSA says that the general amount of time for a skater to reach and pass senior-level tests is 12 years and the most common age of accomplishment is 17 years old. AKA most of those skaters started skating when they were only 5 years old. Passing tests is a big deal and gets your name added to the USFSA's official lists here. You can see how many adult skaters passed their senior tests each month compared to how many teenagers passed it.
Realistic Goals:
If you don't quit early, then at the very least you can make it up to working on the single axel in a few years. If you really persevere and are patient, you can probably land the single axel and a few double jumps. But anything past that is highly unlikely, unless you've been training since you were a small child in an elite facility with elite coaches. So you should be very impressed by the Olympics because skaters landing double axels, triple jumps, and especially quad jumps are very rare.
I just recently started landing my single axel in November 2017. So my personal long-term goal is to hopefully land all of my double jumps in the next few years. I would love to make it up to working on double axel and a few easier triples like triple salchow, but I will have to wait and see how far I can get. Generally, skaters that aren't extremely talented (or young) hit a brick wall in terms of progress when they reach double axel and triple jumps.
The more days per week you go to the ice rink to practice, the faster you will improve your skills. You get out of skating what you're willing to put in. I'm out at the ice rink almost every single day during the week for 1-2 hours of practice each day, because I want to improve as fast as possible. But plenty of adult skaters are more casual and relaxed about it and aren't looking to move thru the ranks quickly, so they only go practice 1 or 2 days a week.
Being an adult, I can drive myself to the rink and use my own money to pay for lessons and practice ice sessions. If you still live with your parents, you'll have to convince them to drive you and pay for things. Some teens get a part-time job to help pay for things. Some are able to get a part-time job at the ice rink itself to earn free ice time!
As a child, my mom did not like me ice skating. So I was only able to talk her into buying me ice skates and paying for private lessons and practice sessions, which she drove me to only once or twice a week. I never got to go to competitions as a child since that would have cost more money. But the good news is, since I returned to skating as an adult, I finally entered my first competition and had a great performance! So get what you can out of your parents for now, and maybe in the future you can do more. =)
Even after mom forced me to quit ice skating, I was careful to maintain my skills for 12 years because I knew I wanted to come back one day. After I graduated college and got a job, I did return! And I was able start exactly where I left off since I didn't forget any of my skills!
Further info:
These are just generalizations based on what I've seen and heard in the sport. It's not set in stone, but I am trying to give you a realistic idea of what to expect so you can set realistic goals for yourself. Some talented skaters fly thru the ranks in just a few years, others take much, much longer due to things like lack of strength or flexibility, fear of falling, injuries of some kind, not enough time to practice, etc.
Jumps -
If you started training as a little kid, there's a chance you could land double axel and a few triples, although you would have to travel to a bigger city to take lessons from elite coaches. The usual small town ice rink only does doubles, not triples.
There are a few people who started training as teens and managed to work up to double axel and triples too. But the cut-off point definitely seems to be about 20 years old. If you start training after 20, then you'll be too old (like 30) by the time you would reach triples and your body would protest too much.
All of this varies per person. Males can usually start later than females and do just fine because they are stronger. Some people who are very athletic and strength train a lot are able to pull it off in the later years too. But it gets very rare to make it to triples if you didn't start young enough and have access to elite coaches who know how to teach triples. Even further, quad jumps are still extremely rare among men and only top level Olympic skaters who trained from childhood can do them.
Spins -
Most people can learn most spins. The main difficulty lies in the flexibility of the person. Men have a harder time with layback spins and Biellmann spins because they don't have as much flexibility in their back as women usually do. And men often won't study such spins anyway because they consider them to be a "girly" spin lol. Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan is one of the few men who regularly does these spins, but he does have a very lithe and flexible body similar to a female.
If you start as a child and work on your flexibility, the Biellmann spin is very, very likely. If you start as an adult and you're not already able to do the splits, you might be able to improve your flexibility enough to do it one day, but it becomes much rarer. Bones and muscles harden as you age, which means the highest levels of a sport become very difficult. Sit spins and camel spins should be possible unless you're over 50+ years. The more flexible spins like Y-spins, haircutter spins, Biellmann spins, donut spins, etc will depend on your ability to do the splits and have a very flexible back. These spins are not hard if you have that level of flexibility.
Jumps = strength
Spins = flexibility
In summary, I'd say 20 years old is usually the cut-off point for learning triple jumps one day. Somewhere in the 40s or 50s age range is the cutoff point for learning double jumps. And there isn't any cutoff point for half jumps and single jumps, judging from our 90-year-old skater in the last lesson. =)
Men can start a little bit later than these categories and do fine because they are naturally stronger.
So yeah, as long as you have enough flexibility on your side, any spin is possible. As long as you have enough strength (and young age) on your side, any jump is possible.