In this article i’m going to talk about the typical components of jumps and tricks which are required to be seen from a skater in a figure skating competition. This can apply to both ice skating and figure skating. Let’s jump straight into it!
Which components are typically needed in figure skating?
Figure skating usually requires several different types of technical elements. These can include jumps, spins, and technically difficult steps with the skates. They are divided up into different areas. These include:
Figures
These are where the skater makes circles on the floor using their skate edges. The skater is measured on the accuracy of the circle shapes, how they execute their turns and their alignment in terms of their body and position while skating.
Free skating
Free skating relates to jumps, spins and sequences of technical footwork steps. The latter are the connecting steps between the turns and jumps. The spins can be complicated and there are different types for the skater to master. The jumps can include different types of rotations such as double axels, triple axels.
Dance skating – as solos or couples
This involves specific dances akin to ballroom dancing such as the tango. It requires unique choreography where the skater adds their own style and incorporates the technical elements during the dance. A free dance involves much of the same thing but there is more freedom for the skater to choose what they do.
How are the skaters judged during figure skating competitions?
Skaters are judged based on their technical ability. The level of difficulty involved in executing the required elements and how they performed during these. They are also judged on their choreography, skating skills, transitions and performance. Finally the skaters will be judged on their artistic impression – the way they carry themselves, the drama and theatre involved in the dance and interpretation.
Here is a link to a video explaining more about how the competitions are judged:
How figure skating is judged — explained just in time for the Olympics
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