FS REGISTERED RATINGS GUIDE

WRITTEN

 RULES/STANDARDS
o Competing
LEVEL JUMPS COMBOS SPINS STEPS DURATION
NO TEST -Max 5 jump -Max 2 jump -Max 2 spins (all -1 ½ ice 1:40 max
elements combos (1 3 different, min 3 (jumps ok,
(any single, jump combo revs) addl seq
no axel+) ok) -change allowed,
feet/position/fly MIF/spirals
ok not counted)
PREPRE -Max 5 jump -Max 2 jump - Max 2 spins -1 ½ ice 1:40 max
elements combos (1 3 (all different, (jumps ok,
(any jump combo min 3 revs) addl seq
single/axel ok) -change allowed,
ok, no -jump seq feet/position/fly MIF/spirals
doubles+) aka single ok not
-can repeat with axel counted)1
axel once after
solo or
combo/seq
PRELIMINARY -Max 5 jump -Max 2 jump - Max 2 spins -1 ½ ice 1:30 +/= 10
elements combos (1 3 (all different, (jumps ok,
-1 waltz/axel jump combo min 3 revs) addl seq
-all singles ok with max -change allowed,
ok, only 2 double feet/position/fly MIF/spirals
double sal, jumps) ok not counted)
toe, loop -jump seq
allowed aka single
-axel and 2 with axel
diff doubles after
can be
repeated
once solo,
combo, or
seq

o Testing
 3 marks – elements, skating, program -3 to +3 (not prepre)
 -1 q10 seconds lacking or excess
 -1 illegal elements
  max 2 elements reskated, can use this also for an omitted element
 prepre pass – learn fundamentsals of FS, no great deal technical ability,
carriage or flow expected, show knowledge elements, fairly good edges,
some good form
 preliminary pass – fundamentals learn, know elements, good sense
power (speed/flow), relationship with music attempted
 jumps can’t count for >1 requirement
 Rule 6103A NONBASIC clarification – camel free leg higher hip, sit parallel
ice skating leg, upright any position skating leg extended or slightly bent
not camel
 Layback – upright head/shoulders leaning back with back arched,
free leg position optional
 Sideways leaning – upright, head and shoulders leaning sideways,
upper body arced, free leg optional
LEVEL JUMPS COMBOS SPINS STEPS DURATION
PREPRE -1 waltz jump/ none -2 diff spins -1 step -1:40 max if
axel (1 must be a sequence program
-4 jumps (2 2 foot spin, 3 ½ ice
singles, rest can revs min ea) surface
be ½ -change
jumps/single/or ft/position/fly
1 of ea) ok, camel/sit
ok no basic
position
needed but
should
recognize
PRELIMINAR -1 waltz jump/ -1 2 jump or 3 -2 diff spins -1 step -1:30 +/- 10
Y axel jump combo (2 min 3 revs sequence seconds
-3 different singles, each ½ ice
single or single/double, -change surface
allowed or ft/position/fly
doubles (sal, double/double) ok, camel/sit
toe, or loop) ok no basic
position
needed but
should
recognize

 ETHICS/EDUCATION/SAFESPORT
o Rules
 code of conduct USFSA fairness, good sportsmanship, ethical, no
discrimination, no damage property, no drugs, anti-doping
 o Direct/indirect abuse
 imbalance of power
o Bullying
 verbal, physical, cyberbulling, mean purposeful vs rude
o Misconduct – 6
 sexual, physical (contact & noncontact), emotional,
bulling/threats/harassment (sexual), hazing, willful toleration
o How to handle misconduct
 mandatory reporting website or call
o Role in sport/rink/club/for athletes and parents
 adopt, monitor, and enforce the above, promptly address, conduct
reviews/evaluate safesport policies, safesport compliance chair board
member ideally, at least 3 club members who have completed safesport
training
o Tools you bring to help teach lessons
 gloves, resistance bands, hockey stick, puck
o Educational programs PSA offers to members
 Annual summit (multi-day event on all disciplines, sport science and
medicine, motivation, rule changes, technical teaching), full day seminars,
half-day clinic, super site, foundations of coaching, accelerating coaching
partnerships, ratings prep 3 day, continuing education requirements CER,
PSA elearning academy hockey etc, webinars, PSA TV
o How many credits to keep ratings active
 28 credits/3 years – max 16 from nonPSA event, min 12 PSA
o Resources used to stay current with rule changes/updates
 PSA emails, USFSA website
o Resources to help with coaching technique
 Icoachskating, sharp4sports, USFSA, PSA, ISI seminars, YT videos ISI
 IJS
o Singles/pairs technical info
 If change foot spin too far apart, only part before change counts if 2 spin
criteria filled
 Changing nonbasic positions does not count as change in position
 Final wind up does not count as a position as long as features aren’t
attempted
 Spin with jump and change feet/position is a flying entry spin NOT flying
spin
 Spin flying entry diff then no flying entry
 Spiral seq = 2 spirals, at least 3 secs or 1 spiral at least 6 secs
 Step seq
 Turns - 3 turns, twizzle, bracket, loop, counter, rocker
 Steps – toe step, chasse, Mohawk, Choctaw, change edge, cross
roll, running step
o How to prepare young athletes for IJS
 +REP repeated jump
 3 basic spin pos – camel, sit, and upright
 step seq – level 1-4, (5, 7, 9, 11) practice rotations both directions fully
body at least 1/3 pattern, body movements at least 1/3 pattern
arms/head/torso/hips/legs that affect balance, practice 2 combos of 3
difficult turns with good flow on diff feet
 none can count more than 2x
 complex – 5 types in both directions
 spins no test/prepre
 level base if recognizable but not 2 revs
o feature 1 – 8 revs, NO change position/edge/variation/loss
basic position
 combo spin – CoSp & CCoSp – level base V if not 2 basic positions
for 2 revs
o feature 1- all 3 basic positions, ea at least 2 cont revs
 all spins – max level 1, spins <3 revs NO VALUE
 spins prelim/prejuv
 level up – 8 revs MANDATORY, any other feature MAX 2, if <8
then level base
 combo spin – V 2 basic position and 2 revs
o feature – all 3 positions + any other feature
 spin feature rules
 camel – direction shoulder CF forward shoulder twisted parallel to
ice , CS sideways vertical, CU upward more than vertical
 sit – position free leg SF forward, SS sideways, SB behind
 upright – position torso UF forward, US straight or sideways, UB
biellman leg higher than and towards top of head near spinning
axis
 layback UL diff variation layback position
 NBP difficult variation nonbasic position
 11 DV categories, only use 1x/program first attempt only counts
 DV nonbasic counts only in combo spin
1) Difficult variations
2) Change of foot executed by jump – within 2 revs
3) Jump within a spin without changing feet – within 2 revs
4) Difficult change of position on the same foot
5) Difficult entrance or Difficult exit
6) Clear change of edge in sit (only from backward inside
to forward outside), camel, Layback, Biellmann or difficult
variation of an upright position
7) All 3 basic positions on the second foot
8) Both directions immediately following each other in sit
or camel spin – min 3 revs each direction
 9) Clear increase of speed in camel, sit, layback, Biellmann
or difficult variation of an upright position (except in
crossfoot spin)
10) At least 8 rev. without changes in position/variation,
foot or edge (camel, layback, difficult variation of any
basic position or for combinations only non-basic position)
11) Difficult variation of flying entry in flying spins/spins
with a flying entrance – within 2 revs
Additional features for the Layback spin:
12) One clear change of position backwards-sideways or
reverse, at least 2 rev. in each position (counts also if the
Layback position is a part of any other spin)
13) Biellmann position after Layback spin (SP – after 8
revolutions in layback spin for Junior/Senior and after 6
revolutions for Advanced Novice)
 Jumps < ¼ underortaed 80% base GOE, << downgraded ½ or more
 0.5 time 5 sec excess/lacking, costume, illegal elements -2, fall -0.35
notest/prepre, prelim fall -0.5, interruption, late startTeach base value,
level of difficulty. Basic no features, level 1= 1 feature, etc, GOE -5 to +5
 Program component scores 0.25 – 10, 5 average
 Juvenile and below program components = 1) skating skills 2)
performance 3) interpretation of music
 Skating skills - overall cleanness and sureness, edge control and
flow, command of, clarity of technique and use of effortless
power to accelerate and vary speed
o a. Use of deep edges, steps and turns;
o b. Balance, rhythmic knee action and precision of foot
placement
o c. Flow and glide;
o d. Varied use of power, speed and acceleration;
o e. Use of multi directional skating;
o f. Use of one-foot skating
 performance
o Involvement of the skater physically, emotionally and
intellectually as they deliver the intent of music and
composition
 a. Physical, emotional and intellectual involvement
 b. Projection
 c. Carriage and clarity of movement
 d. Variety and contrast of movements and energy
 e. Individuality / personality.
 interpretation of music - The personal, creative and genuine
translation of the rhythm, character and content of the music to
movement on ice
 o a. timing
o b. Expression of the music’s character/feeling and rhythm,
when clearly identifiable;
o c. Use of finesse to reflect the details and nuances of the
music
 Finesse - skater’s refined, artful manipulation of
music
 Nuances - bringing subtle variations to the
intensity, tempo and dynamics
o F, b, o, I, T 3 turn, C counter, ! toe push, ^ split position in air
o Spin features teach first and why
 No test/prepre – max level 1 so work on holding 8 cont revs
camel/sit/layback/biellman; combo spin 3 basic positions (camel, sit,
upright) 2 revs each
 Prelim – later then teach variations (camel sideways/layover/catchfoot,
sit bullet/pancake/grabfoot/side twist, a frame, layback haircutter),
inside 3 entrance, all 3 positions 2nd foot, diff variation flying spin
o Teaching footwork into jumps/spins and how helps in the future
 Prepare for MIF, GOE, skating skills and transitions program components
to work on continuity, variety, difficulty, and quality at an early stage
 TURNS & STEPS
o Draw and label 3 turn - A turn executed on one foot from an outside edge to an
inside edge or an inside edge to an outside edge, with the exit curve continuing
on the same lobe as the entry curve. The skater turns in the direction of the
curve.

o Bracket - A turn from forward to backward (or backward to forward) from one
edge of one character to an edge of another character, where the body rotation
is counter to the natural direction of progress causing the cusp to print outward
from the center of the lobe curvature. The edge before and after the turn is on
the same lobe.
 Prerotate, press on back arm
 o Mohawk - A turn from one foot to the other in which the entry and exit curves
are continuous and of equal depth. The change of foot is from an outside edge to
an outside edge or from an inside edge to an inside edge.
 T feet, open hips, look back then switch step on ball of foot

ORAL
 GENERAL/STROKING
o Boots/blades
 Choose based off height/weight/level/foot shape
 Jackson wider toe box/narrow heel with extra heel padding for achille
 Riedell – tapered toe box slightly narrow, beg no arch support wider toe
box
 leisure – jackson softskate 60s/finesse/classic, reidell sparkle 70/opal 70
 no test – jackson excel 100/mystique 130/artiste 200, Reidell pearl
110/emerald 150/diamond 200
 prepre-prelim – jackson competitor/freestyle/classique, reidell stride/
motion/flair
 8 ft, cross cut easier grip/control beg jumpers
 beginner – jw majestic/arrow, mk galaxy/flight/doublestar,
jackson ultima markIV/mirage/aspire/aspireXP/astra,
 notestprepre – jw coronation ace/comet, jackson
aspire/legacy/matrix/protégé mk professional/double
star/revolution
 prelim – jw coronation ace, jackson legacy/protégé, mk
professional
o Safety precautions taught? Challenges faced
 Jump safely – ankle/core strength. Ankle drills/stretches, beginner core
exercises
 Warmup/stretch injury prevention – always light warm up 10 min
cardio/stretch
 Drinking enough water, proper eating snack and water after
o Do you introduce elements differently to adults? Do you conduct lessons with
adults differently
 Yes – more nervous esp with backward skating. Go more into detail body
position due to more awareness. Hand holding, how to use the wall/not
hug. More 2 foot drills/breakdown of moves/progressions. Watch
knee/hips caving in so no strains.
o Part of the blade on going forward and backward
 Fwd – middle/back, backward front of blade
 o Where does power come from?
 Continuous rise/fall skating knee with blade’s edge pressure/edges
against the ice, proper pushing
 Common errors stroking, forward crossovers, back crossovers? Exercises
to correct errors – read book!
 Stroking
o Toe push
o Weak posture/poor extension – squeeze orange, gloves on
head/arms, hold band, off-ice/on ice drag drill
o Improper blade use to stroke – scooter push isolate
o Edges – stomping drill
 Fwd crossovers
o Toe pushing/incorrect blade to stroke – stroking, scooter
push, max 1 foot glide
o Poor posture – hold band/hockey stick
o Poor power – 1 foot glides solo
o Up/down motion – stay low whole time, chair
o Lack edge – lean at wall feel edges, hold onto me
o Lack core/shoulder twist – face circle then turn, hugging
animal in the middle
o Rounding back shoulder - keep back shoulder open with a
gentle nudge back
o Inside hip under the skater not sticking out – feel at wall
o Back foot kicking – 2 foot crossover drill isolate 2nd push
o Lack knee bend – down down motion, double knee bend
crossover, scooter push only
 Back crossovers
o No lean – back ½ swizzle pumps, lateral lunges get over
the skating foot
o Forward lean scratch – sit back into chair, quiet feet
o Full extension straight leg – 2 feet on ice drill, front foot
stays on ice the hole time little Cs
o Not crossing – line up train then get closer
o Inside foot wrong edge – aim for outside hold lean, swizzle
pumps
o Weaker undercut – isolate drill circle/wall
o Power middle of blade
o How to build a skater’s stroking
 Inside edges, weight transfer front foot feet close 45 degree angle, bed
than push, T pushes middle blade toe flick last to leave, work on glide and
foot turnout free leg over the tracing, hold glide 3 seconds, stretch arms
head up smile
 JUMPS
o Draw print for jumps waltz
 LFO 3 turn, Back crossovers, LFO edge T push, elbows back, jump/look
outside circle, punch arms through, H high knee jump over box

o Salchow
 Shallow RFO 3 turn or RFI Mohawk, L shoulder in front check, bend swing
around low and wide then launch fwd like waltz jump

o Toe
 RFI 3 turn, left arm in front, reach in line toe slight T/to side, toe up heel
leaves last, arms scoop twd knee

o Loop
 Feet slight cross thighs stack, lean pinky toe R foot, press back arm slight
core twist, , slight pivot R leg straightens takeoff, scoop arms in

o Flip
 LFO or RFI Mohawk, reach hip to toe, pick as left foot slides back, R toe
pick pivots as leaves the ground and narrow hands takeoff
o Lutz
 Around circle lutz corner, reach back and during tap think outside edge
pressure pinky toe L, pigeon toe

o Axel
 Arms meet, jump outside circle, elbows back, getting on a horse, reach
for back spin, left toe explodes

o combo jump
 Toe loop - left arm in front tap back pinky area
 Loop - land in an h, absorb pivot then takeoff, left arm punch back to
meet the right so don’t rotate over

o How to teach combo jumps

 Toe loop
 push off wall, left arm in front tap back, avoid windmill head in
place
 mazurka exercise
 Toe loop from inside 3, walley, Mohawk, crossover
 Behind pinky toe
 Loop
 land in an h, walk through back spin
 entrance with with inside 3s
 land 2 feet alignment then combo
 standstill hop l position, left arm punch back to meet the right so
don’t rotate over
 o How to introduce double jumps
 Off ice – heel clicks, jump rotations, checkouts
 On ice – back spin 2 revs jump out/add single loop, walk through land
single/back spin/twizzles, land single crossed then back spin
o What jumps are similar
 Waltz jump/axel forward
 Toe jumps – toe, flip, lutz
 Edge jumps – salchow, loop
o Common errors in jumps, exercises to fix
 Upper body prerotating – look in window until takeoff, keep eyes on left
arm or jump arms crossed
 Poor landing – count to 3 level shoulder slight look to right
 Head not checked – lock to right
 Arms fly out – off ice crossed arm jumpouts
 Bad legs – H, cross, tape squeeze toy ankles together
 Popping jumps – visualize, single single double, walk throughs
o What initiates rotation on jumps? What stops rotation?
 Torque – turning/rotational effect of force (push/pull to accelerate or
decelerate) applied off center from rotational axis, aka pushing against
the ice on the entry edge. Creating rotational momentum – positive
motion created by velocity (speed) multiplied by inertia – resistance to
rotation lowered by pulling arms/legs in. stop by opening up arms/legs
 VIDEO ANALYSIS
o What to address? How to address quickly? Exercises to help fix
 SPINS
o Draw/walk through scratch spin
 ¾ rotation edge, skinny v hips closed bring hips around until the hook,
push into spin, elbows in

o back scratch spin

 belly button over the knee RI edge, use edge to start the spin, stay on BO
edge, press heel down
o sit spin
 arm over skating knee, think of pressing on hands close as possible to
knee (pull all in center!), go on ball of foot, butt out, nice arch back, head
up, enter with hip bent, back arch, exit spin – pick up knees and elbows,
hug your thumbs

o camel spin
 same arm/same leg sweep parallel to ice, stay bent until hit toe pick 3
turn, then skating arm sweeps back as knee straightens, free hip on top
of skating hip, chin over foot shoulders parallel ice. Common mistake leg
to side or arm sweeps too soon.

o combo spin with change of foot – camel sit backsit

 swing free leg around wide to pull in most rotational momentum, try to
avoid standing up keep bellybutton over knee to conserve speed, open 1
full turn stay low in knee then create hook twist free arm back toe in like
back pivot about shoulder width apart, internally rotate hip/legs ¼ turn

o How to introduce a flying spin

 Camel first
 wall jump over the fence both legs
 pivot, step over drill left arm pulls back into the pivot then add
jump
 hold hit toe pick then jump over the curve, land flat of the blade
bottom of toe pick, land soft knee then pop up, bring leg curve
around
 Sit
 Like waltz jump, 1 foot spin, ride LFO edge hook then jump, free

leg slight opening, ½ turn midair land ball foot, left knee
accelerate pass right leg
 Do standing still heel in ice
 10/2 arms, kick butt left foot
 1 foot tuck waltz jump
 ½ circle 3 turn shoot the duck on a straight line
 at boards feel position
 2 foot jump lift straight legs then tuck
o Common errors what teaching spins, Exercises to prevent/correct errors
 Not centered/travelling – step middle of circle, hold open v 1-2 revs to
center
 Not enough rotational momentum – stay in hockey box tighter curve,
don’t drop arm swimming over water full circle, 2 feet drill
 Tight curve 3 turn drill count to 3 bent knee then rise ¾ rotation align
over skating side don’t pop up too soon
 IJS
 PROGRAM CONSTUCTION/STEP SEQUENCE
o Draw a program for no test, prepre, and preliminary, where would you place the
elements and why
o What is different when building programs for these levels?
 No test max 5 jumps no axel, max 2 combos (1 3 jump ok), 2 spins
 Prepre same axel ok can repeat once
 Test 1 waltz/axel, 4 jumps (2 singles at least) no combos, 2 foot
spin
 Prelim same but need 1 axel, axel and 2 doubles sal/toe/loop can repeat
 Test 1 waltz/axel, 3 diff singles/allowed doubles, 1 combo
o What is your music selection and editing process
 Have skater pick 3-5 songs, choose one with diff tempos/fit skater style,
write down timestamps I like, edit audacity, play around with crossfades
o How do you prepare a skater for test and competition
 Positive thoughts, walk thru program, 3 deep breaths, music playlist,
test/competition 1 minute warmup then run through and power lap, any
falls/mistakes fix immediately, skate like you passed/won
o Teach a step sequence for this level – 3 turns, bracket, Mohawk, mini twizzle,
toes steps, lunge, ina, ballet hop/mazurka

o What other elements besides jumps, spins, and steps do you like to incorporate
into a program
 Lunge, biellman/catch foot/side/Y spirals, ina bauer, spread eagle, shoot
the duck, mini hydroblade, hitch kick