Learn to Skate Classes

Snowplow 1:

• Sit & stand up in skates, off ice
• Sit & stand up, on ice
• March in place
• March forward (8-10 steps)
• March, then glide on two feet
• Dip in place

Snowplow 2 (must pass Snowplow 1):

• March followed by a long glide
• Dip while moving
• Backward walking, toes turn inward,
  shifting weight (4-6 steps)
• Backward wiggles (6 in a row)
• Forward swizzles (2-3 in a row)
• Beginning snowplow stop motion (in
  place or holding onto barrier)
• Two-foot hop in place (optional)

Snowplow 3 (must pass Snowplow 2):

• Forward skating (8-10 steps)
• Forward one-foot glide
  (right & left, hold for a count of 3)
• Forward swizzles (4-6 in a row)
• Backward swizzles (2-3 in a row)
• Moving forward snowplow stop (one-
  or two-foot)

Snowplow Sam 4 (must pass Snowplow Sam 3)

• Forward skating
• Backward two-foot glide (length of
  skater’s height)
• Backward swizzles (4-6 in a row)
• Rocking horse – one forward, one
  backward swizzle (repeat twice)
• Two-foot turns from forward to
  backward in place (both directions)
• Two-foot hop in place

Basic 1:

• Sit on ice & stand up
• March forward across
  the ice
• Forward two-foot glide
• Dip
• Forward swizzles (6-8
  in a row)
• Backward wiggles (6-8
  in a row)
• Beginning snowplow
  stop (one- or two-foot)
• *Bonus skill: Two-foot
  hop, in place

Basic 2 (must pass Basic 1 or Snowplow 3):

• Scooter Pushes (right
  & left)
• Forward one-foot glides
  (right & left)
• Backward two-foot
  glide (length of skater’s
  height)
• Rocking horse - one
  forward, one backward
  swizzle (repeat twice)
• Backward swizzles (6-8
  in a row)
• Two-foot turns from
  forward to backward
  in place (clockwise &
  counterclockwise)
• Moving snowplow stop
• *Bonus skill: Curves

Basic 3 (must pass Basic 2):

• Beginning forward
  stroking showing the correct use
  of the blade
• Forward half-swizzle
  pumps on a circle (6-8
  consecutive, clockwise
  & counterclockwise)
• Moving forward to
  backward two-foot turn
  on a circle (clockwise &
  counterclockwise)
• Beginning backward
  one-foot glides, focus
  on balance
• Backward snowplow
  stop (right & left)
• Forward slalom
• *Bonus skill: Forward
  pivots (clockwise &
  counterclockwise)

Basic 4 (must pass Basic 3):

• Forward outside edge
  on a circle (right & left)
• Forward inside edge on
  a circle (right & left)
• Forward crossovers
  (4-6 in a row, clock-
  wise & counterclock-
  wise)
• Backward half-swizzle
  pumps on a circle (6-8
  in a row, clockwise &
  counterclockwise)
• Backward one-foot
  glides (right & left)
• Beginning two-foot
  spin (up to two revolu-
  tions)
• *Bonus skill: Forward
  lunges (right & left)

Basic 5 (must pass Basic 4):

• Backward outside edge
  on a circle (right & left)
• Backward inside edge
  on a circle (right & left)
• Backward crossovers
  (4-6 in a row, clock-
  wise & counterclock-
  wise)
• Forward outside three-
  turn, (right & left)
• Advanced two-foot spin
  (minimum 4 revolutions)
• Hockey stop (both
  directions)
• *Bonus Skill: Side toe
  hop (right & left)

Basic 6 (must pass basic 5):

• Forward inside open C
  step from a stand-still
  position (right to left &
  left to right
• Forward inside three-
  turn, (right & left)
• Moving backward to
  forward two-foot turn
  on a circle (clockwise &
  counterclockwise)
• Backward stroking
• Beginning one-foot spin
  (2-4 revolutions,
  optional free leg
  position & entry)
• T-stop (right & left)
• Bunny Hop
• Forward spiral on a
  straight line (right or
  left)
• *Bonus Skill: Shoot the
  duck (right & left)

Academy Prep (must pass Basic 6):

• Outside edge (serpentine pattern)
• Inside edge (serpentine pattern)
• Power Stroking
• Crossover-mohawk-back crossover
• Waltz Jump
• Identify Salchow, Toe Loop, Loop jumps
• 1-foot spin (5 revolutions)
• Backward 3-turns

Partner & Ensemble Skating (must have passed Basic 3)

Partner & Ensemble Skating is a NEW class for skaters at the Basic 3 skill level and above. This class focuses on combining skating skills with skating together. Partner & Ensemble Skating utilizes skating skills to help produce stamina and endurance, allowing them to advance their skating ability in a FUN and UNIQUE way!

· This class is for skaters who enjoy skating in a group or with a friend.

· The focus of the class is to provide the building blocks needed for Synchronized Skating, Theater on Ice, Disney on Ice, Showcase duets/trios and other production experiences.

· Ages 6+

Artistry in Skating

This class is for skaters who would like to learn and practice basic choreographic concepts, as well as explore improvisation and music interpretation.

This is an OPEN LEVEL class to encourage skaters of all levels to skate together, however, the minimum requirement for skaters is Basic 4.

· Ages 8+

Teen Class (must have passed Basic 3)

The Teen Class is designed for skaters who are 13 years and older at the Basic 3 skill level and above. This class focuses on strengthening skating skills in an environment that is developmentally sensitive to the needs of adolescents.

· This class is for skaters in who enjoy skating in a group or with a friend.

· Skills taught will be consolidated from the Basic 3, Basic 4, Basic 5 and Basic 6 curriculums.

· Tailored to the learning goals of the skaters in the class.

· Ages 13+

Hockey 1:

• Falling & recovery to
  a balanced, standing
  position
• Proper basic hockey
  stance (forward &
  backward)
• March forward across
  the ice (8-10 steps)
• Two-foot glides & dips
  from forward marching
  across the ice
• Forward swizzles/
  double C-cuts (4 to 6
  in a row)
• T-push to a straight line
  two-foot glide (hold 2-4
  seconds), alternating
  feet
• Snowplow stop
  (stationary)
• *Bonus Skill: Front to
  back & back to front
  turns (stationary)

Hockey 2 (Must pass Hockey 1 or Snowplow 3):

• Forward strides using
  45 degree V-push,
  focus on good recovery
  & alternating arm drive
• Forward one-foot push
  & glide (right & left)
• Forward straight line
  C-cuts: single leg (right
  & left) and alternating
  feet (right & left)
• Backward hustle or
  march, then glide on
  two feet
• Backward swizzles /
  double C-cuts (4-6 in
  a row)
• Straight line backward
  C-cuts, single leg (right
  & left) & alternating feet
  (right & left)
• Two foot moving
  snowplow stop
• *Bonus Skill: Scooting
  or skateboard push on a
  circle (right & left)

Hockey 3 (Must pass Hockey 2):

• Lateral Crossover March
  (both directions)
• Forward C-cuts (half-
  swizzle pumps) on circle
• Forward outside edges
  on half circles (large
  Cs), alternating feet, on
  the short or long axis of
  the rink
• Forward inside edges
  on half circles (large
  Cs), alternating feet on
  the short or long axis of
  the rink
• Backward C-cuts
  (half-swizzle pumps) on
  a circle (clockwise &
  counterclockwise)
• Backward snowplow
  stops: One- & two-foot
  V-stop
• One-foot moving
  snowplow stop (right
  & left), introduce a 1/4
  turn with hips to hockey
  stop
• *Bonus Skill: Forward
  stops & starts

Hockey 4 (Must pass Hockey 3):

• Quick starts using
  forward V-Start
• Backward one-foot
  glide (right & left)
• Forward crossover
  glides (hold feet in
  crossed position for 2
  counts, clockwise &
  counterclockwise)
• Backward crossover
  glides (hold feet in
  crossed position for 2
  counts, clockwise &
  counterclockwise)
• Forward crossovers on
  a circle (clockwise &
  counterclockwise, 4-6
  each)
• Backward crossovers
  on circle (clockwise &
  counterclockwise, 4-6
  each)
• Hockey stops
  (stopping to the left &
  right, with speed)
• Bonus Skill: Forward
  to backward C step
  pivots (clockwise &
  counterclockwise) from
  powerful, full strides

Hockey Power Skills (Must pass Hockey 4 or Basic 5):

• Powerful backward
  C-Cuts
• Forward alternating
  crossovers down the
  length of the ice, with
  wide step transitions
  (3 to left & 3 to right)
• Backward alternating
  crossovers down the
  length of the ice, with
  wide step transitions
  (3 to left & 3 to right)
• Forward power hockey
  turns / tight turns, 180
  degree & 360 degree
  turn
• Lateral pivots (forward
  to backward &
  backward to forward)
• Fast stops & starts
  using powerful, full
  strides & quick hockey
  stops (right & left foot)
• Fast backward skating
  with quick backward
  V-stops (two-foot stops
  & one-foot stops,
  alternating feet)

Stretch & Flexibility Class:

• For skaters in levels Basic 3, Basic 4, Basic 5, Basic 6, Academy Prep, Adult Low & Adult High
• Ages 6 & above
• Class focus:
  • Increasing flexibility in hips and back
  • Learn stretches for typical areas of tightness to relieve strain
  • Practice healthy stretching practices to limit or negate injury from occurring

Drop ins welcome! No evaluations will be given for this class

Adult 1:

• Falling and recovery on ice
• Forward marching
• Forward two-foot glides
• Forward Swizzles (4-6 in a row) 
• One forward swizzle + one backward swizzle (rocking horse)
• Dip
• Forward snowplow stop, two feet or one foot

Adult 2 (must pass Adult 1):

• Forward skating across the width of the ice
• Forward one-foot glides (right and left)
• Forward slalom
• Backward skating
• Backward swizzles (4-6 in a row)
• Two-footturns in place

Adult Mid

Adult 3 (must pass Adult 2):

• Forward stroking using blade properly
• Forward half Swizzle pumps on a circle (6-8 in a row, clockwise and counterclockwise) 
• Moving forward to backward + backward to forward two-foot turns on a circle (clockwise and counterclockwise) 
• Backward skating into a long two-foot glide
• Forward chasses on a circle (clockwise & counterclockwise)
• Backward snowplow stop (right and left)

Adult High

Adult 4 (must pass Adult 3):

• Forward outside edge on a circle from pumps (right and left) 
• Forward inside edge on a circle (right and left)
• Forward crossovers (clockwise and counterclockwise) 
• Backward one-foot glides (right and left)
• Backward half Swizzle pumps on a circle (clockwise and counterclockwise) 
• Hockey stop, both directions

Adult 5 (must pass Adult 4):

• Backward outside edge on a circle from pumps (right and left) 
• Backward inside edge on a circle (right and left)
• Backward crossovers (clockwise and counterclockwise) 
• Forward outside three-turn (right and left) 
• Forward swing rolls to a count of 6
• Beginning two-foot spin

Adult 6 (must pass Adult 5):

• Forward stroking with crossover end patterns
• Backward stroking with crossover end patterns
• Forward inside 3-turns (right and left)
• Forward outside to inside change of edge on an axis (right and left)
• T-stop (right OR left)
• Lunge
• Two-foot spin into a one-foot spin

Adult Hockey Power Skills (must pass Adult 4 or play in Rookie League):

• Focus on building speed, stamina, endurance, and explosive power needed for competitive hockey while keeping attention on technical form, edge work, and proper body alignment.
• Example Exercises:
  • Powerful backward C-cuts
  • Forward alternating power crossovers with wide step transitions
  • Backward alternating power crossovers with wide step transitions
  • Forward power hockey turns/tight turns, 180-degree & 360-degree turns
  • Lateral pivots: forward to backward and backward to forward
  • Fast stops and starts using powerful, full strides and quick hockey stops
  • Fast backward skating with quick backward V-stops (2-feet and 1-foot stops)