Reference and Rulebooks 2010-2020

[Isk8NYC]

I don't necessarily agree with the USFSA Free Skate to ISI Freestyle conversions, but this is a handy chart:

http://www.cityicepavilion.com/doc/conversionchart.pdf

Basic Skills = ISI
Snowplow 1 and 2 = Tot 1 – 2
Snowplow 3 = Tot 3 – 4
Basic 1 = Pre-Alpha (age 7 & older)
Basic 2 = Advanced Pre-Alpha
Basic 3 = Advanced Pre-Alpha (except two-foot spin)
Basic 4 = Alpha/Gamma
Basic 5 = Beta (except for one-foot spin)
Basic 6 = Delta (except for spiral)
Basic 7 = Gamma (except scratch spin & ballet jump)
Basic 8 = Delta – Fs 1

Free Skating
Freeskate 1 = Delta-Freestyle 2
Freeskate 2 = Freestyle 1 – 3
Freeskate 3 = Freestyle 2 – 3
Freeskate 4 = Freestyle 4
Freeskate 5 = Freestyle 4 – 5
Freeskate 6 = Freestyle 5 – 6

[Query]

ISI (Ice Skating Institute) District Instructor Seminar Manual

Section A: ISI Update
Section B: Judging Essentials
Section C: Instructor Essentials
Section D: Competition Essentials
Section E: Skating Director Essentials
Section F: ISIA Education Foundation

I don't know if it is the same as the $10 "ISI Instructor Seminar Manual" paper seminar manual. But it says it is the 2009-2010 edition, whereas the current paid manual as of this post is 2011-2012. (Incidentally, the Paid instructor seminar manual is only available to ISI Professional members, whereas the on-line manual is free.)

This augments the information in the ISI paid publications such as the ISI Handbook and the ISI Test Standards DVD. For example, there is information on how ISI tests and competitions are scored, which may be relevant to coaches and to skaters who create their own routines.

[Isk8NYC]

For NZ skaters here is a link to the page with all the rules:
http://www.nzisa.com/rules/

and a here you can find a copy of the kiwiskate (learn 2 skate syllabus):
for clubs and link to kiwiskate: http://www.nzisa.com/kiwiskate/
for direct link to the pdf: http://www.nzisa.com/kiwiskate/KiwiSkate%20Badges%20Info2009.pdf

January 2011 revised information for Kiwiskate badges:
http://www.nzifsa.org.nz/rules/2011%20R%20&%20Rs%20700%20Section%20-%20KiwiSkate.pdf

NZIFSA Judge's Sheets:
http://www.nzifsa.org.nz/forms/#general

[Isk8NYC]

The 2012 ISI Handbook is now available for $25 per copy.  (Order 10 or more, and the price drops to $20/copy)

http://www.skateisi.com/site/contentpdf/PubOrder.pdf

[Query]

USFSA INTERCOLLEGIATE TECHNICAL RULEBOOK

See also USFSA link on Intercollegiate Team Skating

[Isk8NYC]

Basic Skills Adult Curriculum Skill Gaps

Once skaters complete the "Adult 1-4" levels in Basic Skills, they have to master additional skills before they can transition to the Freeskate levels, if they so desire.

These are the Basic 1-8 skills that the Adult curriculum does not include:

Basic 5-Hockey stop
Basic 5-Side toe hop – both directions

Basic 6-Moving backward to forward two-foot turn on a circle, CW&CCW
Basic 6-T-stop – R or L
Basic 6-Bunny hop
Basic 6-Forward arabesque/spiral on a straight line – R or L
Basic 6-Forward lunge – R or L

Basic 7-Forward inside open Mohawk from a standstill position – R to L and L to R
Basic 7-Backward outside edge to forward outside edge transition on a circle – R and L
Basic 7-Ballet jump – R and L
Basic 7-Backward crossovers to a backward outside edge glides (landing position) CW&CCW

Basic 8-Moving forward outside three-turn on a circle – R and L
Basic 8-Moving forward inside three-turn on a circle – R and L
Basic 8-Combination move: Forward crossovers (2) into forward inside Mohawk, cross behind, step into backward crossover (1) and step to forward inside edge
Basic 8-One-foot upright spin, optional entry and free-foot position
Basic 8-Waltz jump
Basic 8-Mazurka – R and L

If a skater were to work on the Basic 5 skills during Adult, they could then register for Basic 6-8 classes before Freeskate.  Alternatively, a private coach can tailor the lesson plans to fill these skill gaps.  It's really important to master the spins and jumps in the higher-level Basics before moving on to Freeskate.

[FigureSpins]

If you look at the "SKATING ELEMENTS" pull downs on the menu of the Glenburn FSC (Auckland, NZ), they have very good descriptions and illustrations for most basic elements of figure skating.  Some include videos and tips on performing the skill properly.

[FigureSpins]

New-ish USFSA Adult Moves in the Field demonstration videos:

I can't tell if the USFSA put up brand-new demo videos of the Adult Moves patterns or if they just put a new front-end page on the old videos.

The standard disclaimer is of course in effect: the videos are intended to give the viewer an idea of the pattern on the ice and the expected carriage, speed, etc.  It's not necessarily up to test standard because there are no hard-and-fast test standards.  It's an inexpensive starting point for those just getting into a new test level, not a replacement for coaching.

https://web.archive.org/web/20140227002004/http://www.usfsa.org/Shell.asp?sid=35082

[sarahspins]

I can't tell if the USFSA put up brand-new demo videos of the Adult Moves patterns or if they just put a new front-end page on the old videos.

I don't know either, but I'm glad they finally put up videos that reflect the current tests, rather than the old ones

[FigureSpins]

Have to give credit where it's due: the Adult Skating pages are usually comprehensive and progressive when it comes to providing information.

It would be really great if the USFSA would put up videos for the standard-track Moves tests as well.  I haven't had a chance to look for that yet.

[jjane45]

I can't tell if the USFSA put up brand-new demo videos of the Adult Moves patterns or if they just put a new front-end page on the old videos.
It's an inexpensive starting point for those just getting into a new test level, not a replacement for coaching.

For some reason I never checked these out, thanks for posting! From pre-bronze, it's clear that two videos were added later / revisited, because they are made with higher resolution and better image quality, lol.

They answered my newbie questions like is it OK to have 5 lobes for the edges on pre-bronze. Rules say 4-6 and I've heard it needs to be even. On the other hand, I have to think some demonstrations are really borderline pass/retry...

[VAsk8r]

I didn't know these videos existed, but they sound great! Thanks for posting. Haven't gotten to watch any yet, as I'm waiting for the first adult bronze one to download. Would it have killed USFS to put them on youtube?

[jjane45]

Would it have killed USFS to put them on youtube?

Would have saved USFS bandwidth, but would also direct traffic away from their own site...

[Isk8NYC]

2012 April - Ice Skating Australia introduces new "Technical Panel Skills" tests based on USFSA Moves in the Field tests.

2012 ISA - Technical Pattern Skills - Calendar.pdf

2012 ISA - Technical Pattern Skills - List.pdf

2012 ISA - Technical Pattern Skills - Info.pdf

2012 ISA - Technical Pattern Skills - Definitions.pdf

[nicklaszlo]

The 2012 USFSA rulebook is out.

http://usfsa.org/New_Judging.asp?id=361

[FigureSpins]

From a PSA message I received today:

The ISU Dance Technical Panel Handbook is now available on the ISU website:

http://www.isu.org/vsite/vfile/page/fileurl/0,11040,4844-204786-222009-173276-0-file,00.pdf

[jamesleo629]

The rules and regulations are so necessary to follow for adult skaters as well as teens skaters to obey it and apply it for safety.

[FigureSpins]

USFSA Testing

Judges Forms: http://www.usfsa.org/Shell.asp?sid=20822
Trial Judges Forms: http://www.usfsa.org/shell.asp?sid=20820

[Isk8NYC]

Just found this by accident on the 'net:

"How to Become an Ice Dancer"  (ebook)

http://www.icedancers.com/How%20to%20Become%20an%20Ice%20Dancer%20ebook.pdf


Also found an old Newsgroup archive that has valuable discussions about figure skating and ice dance from back in the day:
http://rec.sport.skating.ice.recreational.narkive.com/
(The most recent posts are spam, but go back a few years and the posts are more useful.)

[Isk8NYC]

This is nice: EntryEeze is the online entry system many clubs are using for their skating competitions.
They have a search feature that lets you look up competitions by state.

http://comp.entryeeze.com/FindCompetition.aspx

Caveat: I think they only add competitions when their site is handling the entries.  That can be weeks or months after the event has been announced/sanctioned.  It's not early-warning, in other words.  Still, it's quick access when you have to register and can't remember the host or competition name.

[FigureSpins]

[Gail Sombati, Chair] would like to thank Wayne Hundley, Moves in the Field Task Force Chair, for his guidance on updating the videos available on the website. There were changes made to the adult moves in the field tests due to the revised implementation plan for moves in the field in standard track. Not only did Wayne help with updating the diagrams and descriptions, he also demonstrated the skills on the video.

LINK: https://web.archive.org/web/20140227002004/http://www.usfsa.org/Shell.asp?sid=35082

[Isk8NYC]

South African Figure Skating Association (SAFSA) rulebook

http://www.safsa.org.za/rule-books.htm

Long-term plan: http://www.safsa.org.za/ltpdp.htm

[Isk8NYC]

Ice Dancers Online just started a Facebook page that has a great database of Social Dance weekends for the 2013-14 season.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/icedancersonline/files/

[FigureSpins]

Found an archive of the circa-2008 Usenet messages:

Subject: Competitive Figure Skating FAQ: Technical Elements
http://faqs.cs.uu.nl/na-dir/sports/skating/ice/figure/technical.html

FAQs: http://faqs.cs.uu.nl/na-dir/sports/skating/ice/figure/idx.html

Newsgroups: http://faqs.cs.uu.nl/na-bng/rec.sport.skating.ice.figure.html

[FigureSpins]

The USFSA has revised their rulebook format so that Rules of Sport and the Tests books are now in one document.  There is a "Print on Demand" option to purchase a printed copy or you can download a pdf or view the online document as html format.

Note: there is a "Summary of Corrections to the 2013-14 Rulebook" document that supplements the rulebook itself.  Make sure to check it for any last-minute changes or corrections.

Rulebook link:  http://www.usfsa.org/New_Judging.asp?id=361