How to Compete at Figure Skating

Figure skating competitions take place across the country and at all levels of skill. According to the United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA), the governing body of this sport, there are over 800 affiliated programs nationally that provide instruction in figure skating and organize competitions for its members.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Figure skating ice skates
• Skatewear

1. Get a coach. Coaches must be USFSA members and members of the Professional Skaters Association to represent athletes in USFSA competitions.

2. Join a club. Clubs are broken into different levels of skill. These include Snowplow Sam 1 through 3 and Basic 4 through 8. Through all of these levels, coaches train their students for skill tests and competition. There are also collegiate clubs, national showcase clubs and high school programs that compete.

3. Begin testing. There are various skating skills that must be mastered on each level. These are categorized, some such categories are free skating, pairs, moves in the field (MITF), free dance, compulsory dance, and synchronized skating. Judges evaluate skaters in each of these groupings during testing.

4. Select a competition style. Once the skater has progressed to a sufficient level, they may select one category in which to specialize. The technique could be pairs skating, dance or interpretive skating. Judges will assess the performance of the skater during competition.

5. Progress through the levels. Skaters will be able to advance in competition by winning at different degree contests. The levels begin locally but expand into regional and sectional tournaments. The USFSA holds junior and adult championships on a national level annually.

Tips & Warnings

• Mental toughness is sometimes overlooked as a factor of figure skating competition. Being able to put oneself out in front of a crowd and risk being embarrassed is not easy.
• Diet and exercise are primary factors in winning competitions. Low fat, high carb diets are best. Pilates is the favored form of exercise for figure skaters. Its emphasis on developing lean muscle and stretching work well with the figure skater's physical demands.
• Leather boots rather than vinyl are preferred for figure skating. Figure skating blades are specifically made for the sport and are different than hockey and speed skates.
• Falls on the ice hurt. Protective equipment, such as hip, knee, elbow and spine pads, help protect the skater. Ankle wraps and glove pads are also useful during training.

Resources

• Best Selection and Lowest Price Guaranteed.
• U.S. Figure Skating is the official governing body for the sport of figure skating in the United States, recognized as such by both the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the International Ska

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