Swapping from artistic to figure skating, any suggestions?

Question

hi, im an art skater who has just moved, to a place where i can no longer do art. i dont want to get stuck in the beginners class, im not a beginner, ive been doing jumps and spins (im mostly self taught, were from the country, but my coach fixed up any mistakes i was making) for over 6 years. can someone give me a basic idea of the things i would be learning, and what things i should be doing so i can start competing as soon as i can? what rules are there when it comes to competiting - is there levels i have to pass before i can compete? what should i do in regards to buying skates - is it okay to hire them? and how does figure skating differ to artistic freeskate?

Answer 1

Well, let me start out, figure skating is a tad different than Roller/ Inline skating.

Okay, if you want to start competing as soon as possible first you need to test and see what level you are one. Different levels require different elements. For example, if you can do a toe loop, a salchow, a change foot spin, spiral, and the foot work you should compete in Freestyle 3 (for ISI). If you want to find out what you should be learning I suggest that first of all you should compete in ISI (Ice Skating Institute). You should join (it is only $13) and then buy the handbook and rule book. In the book it lists everything you need to do in every level, and then it shows a diagram of what you should be doing.

This is the website for ISI: http://www.skateisi.com/site/

But just to give you a head start you should look up these jumps, and start practicing them:

Bunny hop

Waltz Jump

Toe Loop

Salchow

1/2 loop, loop

1/2 flip, Flip

After you are comfortable with these jumps you can start working on your lutz, combinations, and axel!

For spins you should start with a:

Two foot spin, one foot spin, scratch spin, back spin, changefoot spin, sit spin, camel spin.

Spins don't tend to be in a pattern. You just learn the spins you are most comfortable with first, then progress from there.

Onto your next question: "What rules are there when it comes to competing? Well all the rules are listed in the ISI handbook

(http://www.skateisi.com/site/sub.cfm?con... "Skater/Instructor Series Publication Set (2007 Skater & Coaches HB, Binder)") and you will follow them in there. Your coach should also help you with the rules. Well in ISI, you do not need to pass levels before you compete. Actually, your coach just needs to write on the competition application form that you have passed ______ test, (whatever test you are on) which will allow you to compete at that level. But as long as you have 'passed' a test, then you can skip levels in competitions.

Your coach should suggest what skates you should buy.

Okay, USFSA (United states figure skating association) competitions are similar to ISI, but are more serious. The rules are different, so you should join USFSA when you are more prepared, and buy that handbook too.

Your coach should have a talk with your parents and you about the differences between ISI and USFSA, art freeskate and Competitions.

If you haven't noticed, a coach is a definite if you are serious about competing. Actually you need a coach in order to compete.

I am sorry if this isn't really clear. There is so much to say. But if you have a coach he/she should explain it all too you.

Hope this helps, and Good Luck!

Answer 2

You will be learning footwork, jumps and spins, each varying in degrees of difficulty depending on the level you are in.  Artistic is somewhat similar to figure skating, but personally I think figure skating is more demanding because ice allows for so much more to be achieved!

You'll want a coach you can work well with.  And yes you have to pass certain levels to compete.  You must be certified a pre-Juvenile to compete in pre-Juvenile competitions, and Junior to compete in Junior competitions, and so on.  The ISI (Ice Skating Institute) Freestyle is more flexible though, there are competitions for every skater from Pre-Alpha (most junior level) to Freestyle 10 (most senior).

Hiring rental skates are okay when you are just starting out on ice.  But once you have gone beyond the basics and decided you want to take figure skating seriously, you should get a pair of good skates of your own.

You should consult a coach and have him/her judge what is your entry level given your circumstances.  Go for a one on one private walk-in lesson, and if you are told to go back to basics, take a group lesson.  If you get to join the more advanced ranks, go for a private class!

Good luck!!