What We Do

For the more experienced skaters in our club Competitions and Exhibitions are what they aspire to, with a whole world of Competitions to enter to show off their Skills, Spins and Jumps. However, we do not become good overnight, therefore the club use a system referred to as the Basic Skills Grades. These Grades vary in difficulty starting with skills that build up the Skater's confidence, to skills that really test the balance, control and enthusiasm of the skater, which can often take months to master. All skaters are given a Grade book (when they take their test with a judge upon reaching grade 9) which list the skills on the different grades as well as being a certificate of achievement.

 

Basic Skills Grade One

1. Know how to put skates on properly.
2. Be able to: a) Stand still on skates, b) Fall safely, c) Stand up.
3. Take small steps forwards, backwards and sideways
4. Skate across the rink without pausing.
5. Stop without falling or use of the wall
6. Bend and touch toes whilst moving
7. Attempt a forward snake pattern.

Basic Skills Grade Two

1. Skate forwards on alternate feet stroking from the side of the foot.
2. Perform a T-push and balance on alternate feet for 3 seconds with your free leg in the correct position.
3. Perform a little man on 2 feet.
4. Attempt a backward snake pattern.
5. Stop by using a 'T' stop on each foot.
6. Be able to stroke skate at a reasonable speed gliding around the rink.

Basic Skills Grade Three

1. Push backwards from the wall and balance on alternate feet
2. Push from a T position balancing on an outside edge with your free leg extended behind on alternate feet.
3. Push from a T position balancing on an inside edge with your free leg extended behind on alternate feet.
4. Perform a jump on 2 feet a) stationary, b) skating forward.
5. Perform a little man on one leg (quad or inline style).
6. Stroke skate backwards across the rink showing some understanding of the free leg position.

Basic Skills Grade Four

1. Skate a progressive run movement. a). to the left b). to the right.
2. Skate continuous forward outside edges with your free leg extended behind.
3. Skate continuous inside edges with your free leg extended behind.
4. Perform an arabesque on an outside edge with your free leg at least hip height.
5. Perform a 2 footed spin (1 revolution).
6. Perform a backwards 'T' push on each foot.

Basic Skills Grade Five

1. Skate continuous forward chassis linked with an inside edge (corner steps of the glide waltz) in a circle to the left and to the right.
2. Perform a forward change of edge demonstrating a full understanding of the edges skated. State the starting edge.
3. Turn from forwards to backwards on either foot, followed by backwards skating on alternate feet.
4. Toe push, bunny hops and mazurka jumps (a mazurka jump is any toe assisted linking jump) on alternate feet.
5. Skate backwards on alternate outside edges with your free leg in front.
6. Perform free runs both clockwise and anti-clockwise (crossed).

Basic Skills Grade Six

1. Turn from forwards to backwards using a heel to heel open Mohawk in both directions.
2. Skate 4 continuous back outside edges with free leg extended in front.
3. Turn (step) from backwards to forwards on alternate feet. Step (A) onto a forward outside edge (B) onto a forward inside edge.
4. Skate forward cross rolls showing an understanding of the edges required.
5. Perform outside 3 turns on alternate feet.
6. Perform a backwards change of edge.

Basic Skills Grade Seven

1. Perform a back inside spin exercise (1 rev) finishing with a stop.
2. Perform a spread in both directions for at least 4 metres.
3. Perform a simple 2 footed jump turning from forwards to backwards and backwards to forwards.
4. Perform forward outside edges in the field.
5. Perform forward inside edges in the field,
6. Perform forward inside 3 turns on alternate feet.

Basic Skills Grade Eight

1. Perform a simple 1 footed spin (2 revs) from a three turn preparation.
2. Perform back cross pulls in a circle, clockwise and anticlockwise.
3. Perform a simple step sequence.
4. Perform back outside edges in the field.
5. Perform 3's to the centre in the field.
6. Perform back cross rolls.

Basic Skills Grade Nine

1. Perform a backward arabesque on each foot, free leg hip high.
2. Perform a 3 jump on the correct edges.
3. Perform a 1 minute programme to music and include:
a spread, a Back inside spin, back pulls, a step sequence, forward and backward arabesques and a 3 jump.