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Sometimes an adult will get onto the ice knowing what type of skating he or she is destined to do. They watch skating on TV or see the latest troupe of professionals in a large arena and know they want to skate like that certain Olympic, World or National medallist does. The most popular term that skaters and non-skaters alike seem to know is the axel. Usually it’s preceded by the word triple. If you’re a first time skater you won’t be doing a triple axel. You won’t even be doing a single axel.
Figure:
This is what figure skating was – doing tracings on the ice. There are still places where you can do figures, though not always at the “patch” session that was reserved exclusively for figure skaters. Figure eights, loops, circles, brackets, all of these terms mean just one thing: the basis of which this sport began. Being able to control your edges at all times means that your jumps, spins and footwork will be much more solid. A tool called the “scribe” which is really a large compass is used to make a tracing onto the ice that you follow. Ideally, you should be able to do the same figure three times in a row in the exact same spot! The discipline [and is that ever apropos!] of school figures is declining but there are vocal members of figure skating organizations who are fighting to keep figures around. As adults excel at this aspect of skating, and as they can make their presence known, figures will continue to be made.
Freestyle:
The televised skating you watch that involves doing axels, those other triple and double jumps with the odd names, and spins, is called Freestyle. It’s generally the most common type that people associate when they link skating with names like Dick Button, Michelle Kwan, Sonja Henie, Tara Lipinski, Peggy Fleming, Elvis Stojko, Scott Hamilton, etc. All freestyle skating is performed to music. Sometimes the music contains lyrics, oftentimes it doesn’t. In amateur skating, i.e. Olympic eligible, skaters can only use instrumental music. But when an amateur skater does an exhibition or an officially sanctioned event, lyrics can be used. Freestyle skating is more than just being able to do triple jumps and a variety of spins. Footwork, the connection of various skating steps, strong edges, and the ability to do spirals [like ballet’s arabesques] and other graceful and/or dynamic static moves is important. Routines are comprised of certain required elements, but for the adult skater they are not nearly as stringent as they are for the competitor with Olympian goals.
Ice dancing:
Many adults don’t fancy themselves leaving the ice in great leaps and bounds nor do they wish to spin themselves dizzy. Maybe you’ve taken ballroom dance or want to. Torvill and Dean intrigue you, as do the legendary two-time Olympian Pasha Grishuk and her former partner Evgeny Platov, Anissina and Peizerat, Punsalen and Swallow and many, many more wonderful ice dancers who can’t be listed due to space limitations. Ice dancing is more than ballroom on ice. The music can be sensuous, classical, new age, blasting with rhythm and blues, or it can explode into a new realm altogether. The more men who become interested in ice dancing, the happier the females who outnumber them will be. But there is solo ice dancing for those who’re dedicated enough. Be warned: excellent posture and the ability to really bend your knees is essential if you want to excel. If not, ice dancing is still fun and excellent exercise. The music alone will pull you out of a bad mood and cheer you up as you skate.
Moves in the field:
This is best seen as a variation of figures. Many of the moves, such as brackets, counters, rockers, 3-turns, etc., are used. However, instead of the more stationery aspect of figures, moves in the field requires the skater to cover most of the ice surface, especially at the more advanced levels. The children who now compete have had their school figures replaced with moves in the field, and now adults who are interested in competing are learning that they too must also take these MITF tests. Adults will be able to do these elements, and in many cases complete them with more power, speed and grace than the younger skaters. Like school figures, there are graded levels, and also, like figures, one of the required elements for the basic test is to complete a figure-8. Both figures and MITF require an effortless look which is achieved by good carriage, extension of the free leg, and consistent flow. MITF and figures are also similar in that no music is allowed when testing.
Pairs:
Pairs is designed for those who love to jump and spin—but not alone! Pairs can allow for more innovative skating moves such as the death spiral and the loop lift, and it can test your timing when you’re required to do side by side jumps and spins. Pairs skating offers a nice way for off-ice couples to share this sport, and it can link two strangers into a new friendship buoyed by the love of ice skating. Pairs skating is harder to practice in crowded public sessions but it’s usually not prohibited. Pairs is currently the least common venue for adults but don’t let that stop you.
Synchronized:
Formerly called precision team skating, this aspect of figure skating is designed for those who like skating in unison. Like line dancing or a chorus line, synchronized skating involves anywhere from 10 to 30 adults on the ice at one time. Unlike a public session or coffee club, there is a distinct order to what’s done and this is truly a wonderful spectators’ sport. You don’t have to be able to jump and spin, but you must have solid basics plus be able to do lunges and spirals. The more footwork you know, the more valuable you’ll be to your team. The one difficult part about synchronized skating has nothing to do with the sport itself. It deals with getting team members at the rink at least once a week in order to practice! Not all rinks have synchronized teams, so make sure you find out the status of your home rink.
There you have it, descriptions of the various types of figure skating that are currently available to the adult skater.
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