Skating Disciplines
US Figure Skating offers five main disciplines in competitive figure skating: men’s singles, women’s singles, pairs, ice dancing, and synchronized skating. Here at the Skating Club of CNY we currently offer all disciplines except pairs. Skaters may choose to test and compete in multiple disciplines. Each discipline can follow one of two paths: qualifying or non qualifying. More information can be found on the USFSA website.
Singles(Men & Women)
As the name implies, this discipline is performing solo. Skaters will perform a program to music including jumps, spins, footwork, and choreography. When a skater reaches the Juvenile level, they will have the opportunity to compete both a short program and a long program. The short program features required elements including jumps, spins and a step sequence. The requirements in this program are limited and leave little room for mistakes. The long program is longer in length and has a much larger group of required elements allowing for more room for mistakes. At some competitions the short and long program scores will be combined to determine the skaters placement for awards. The long program is what a skater will perform when they are testing their free skate.
Synchronized Skating
This is a team sport in which 8 - 20 skaters take the ice together and perform a program that includes synchro elements such as circles, wheels, intersections, lines, and blocks. Individual elements such as jumps and spins are also utilized in the program. As the levels progress, you should see teams performing with more speed, precision, intricate formations, more challenging footwork, and more advanced choreography. Synchronized skating is becoming the fastest growing figure skating discipline as it grows in popularity here in the US and around the world. It currently is not an Olympic sport, but members of this discipline are working hard to make the dream of it being in the Olympics a reality. We have four non qualifying teams here at the Skating Club of CNY and encourage all of our members to give it try.
Ice Dance
The ice dance discipline typically features a male and female skating together in a ballroom style performing dance patterns, step sequences, challenging footwork, and maneuvers set to music that requires precise timing and musicality. Many skaters will only test ice dances and not enter into competition. Ice dance requires strong technical skills and a strong grasp on musicality, both of which help a skater improve the other disciplines they are participating in. Ice dance is highly recommended for synchronized skaters since similar footwork and holds can be seen in synchronized skating programs as well. We currently do not offer competitive ice dancing here at SCCNY, but we do have many skaters going through the testing process. If you are interested in learning more about competitive ice dancing, go to the USFSA website.
