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Learn to Skate Progression Charts

For Learn to Skate and Elite classes a LTS USA membership is required and needs to be renewed yearly in order to keep signing up for class.

 

For beginners please choose the 6:30pm class on Mondays. For SPS 1 - Basic 3.

Snowplow Sam Levels:

The Snowplow Sam levels are introductory classes divided into four progressive levels allowing children with no prior skating experience to build confidence while learning the basic skills of skating.

 

These classes are designed to help children 6 and younger to develop the ABCs of movement – Agility, Balance, Coordination and speed. The ABCs are essential for developing fundamental movement skills and physical literacy. All classes will be taught in a safe and positive environment, incorporating fun and games making class time an enjoyable experience for all.

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Once completed the skater will move directly to Basic Skills 3.

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Off-ice orientation prior to the first skating class:

Equipment check – proper fit and lacing of skates, appropriate attire, and safety helmets

Practice falling and recovery, marching in place, dips and one-foot balances

Ice Texture
Snowplow Sam 1

  • Sit and stand up with skates on – off-ice

  • Sit and stand up – on-ice

  • March in place

  • March forward (8-10 steps)

  • March, then glide on two feet

  • Dip in place

Snowplow Sam 2

  • Dip while moving

  • Backward walking, toes turned inward, shifting weight (4-6 steps)

  • Backward wiggles (6 in a row)

  • Forward swizzles (2-3 in a row)

  • Beginning snowplow stop motion – in place or holding onto barrier

  • Two-foot hop, in place (optional)

Snowplow Sam 3

  • Forward skating (8-10 strides)

  • Forward one-foot glide, two times skater’s height (R and L)

  • Forward swizzles (4-6 in a row)

  • Backward swizzles (2-3 in a row)

  • Moving forward snowplow stop (two-foot)

  • Curves

  • Based on the age and ability of the child after completion of Snowplow Sam 3, they can successfully advance to Basic 2 or Hockey 2, or progress to Snowplow Sam 4.

Snowplow Sam 4

  • Forward skating

  • Backward two-foot glide, length of skater’s height

  • Backward swizzles (4-6 in a row)

  • Rocking horse – one forward, one backward swizzle, repeat twice

  • Two-foot turns from forward to backward, in place (both directions)

  • Two-foot hop, in place

Basic Skills – FUNdamentals

Basic Skills teaches the FUNdamentals of ice skating and provides the best foundation for figure skating, hockey, and speedskating. Six progressive levels introduce forward and backward skating, stops, edges, crossovers, and turns. Upon completion of the Basic Skills 1-6 levels, skaters will be able to confidently advance to more specialized areas of skating. All classes will be well-structured with the focus on  proper skill development taught in a positive, FUN, and social environment. Skaters will progress at their own rate and advance after skill mastery is demonstrated.

 

Off-ice orientation:

Equipment check: proper fit and lacing of skates, appropriate attire, safety helmets

Practice falling and recovery, marching in place, dips and one-foot balances in skates

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Discover, Learn and Play – Basic 1 and 2:

These introductory levels allow new skaters with no prior skating experience to build confidence while learning to skate.

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FUNdamentals – Basic 3–6:

These levels develop all of the fundamental skating skills on the ice. Focus is on learning the ABCs of basic athleticism: agility, balance, coordination and speed. Upon completion of these levels, skaters will be able to confidently advance to more specialized areas of skating.

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Ice Texture

Basic 1

  • Sit on ice and stand up

  • March forward across the ice

  • Forward two-foot glide

  • Dip

  • Forward swizzles — 6–8 in a row

  • Backward wiggles — 6–8 in a row

  • Beginning snowplow stop on two feet or one foot

  • Bonus skill: Two-foot hop in place

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All beginners over the age of 6 start in this class.

Basic 5

  • Backward outside edge on a circle — R and L

  • Backward inside edge on a circle — R and L

  • Backward crossovers — clockwise and counterclockwise

  • Forward outside three-turn — R and L

  • Advanced two-foot spin — 4–6

  • Hockey stop — both directions

  • Bonus skill: Side toe hop — R and L

Basic 2

  • Scooter pushes — R and L

  • Forward one-foot glides — R and L

  • Backward two-foot glide — Glide the length of skater’s height

  • Rocking Horse (one forward swizzle, one backward swizzle) — Repeat twice

  • Backward swizzles — 6–8 in a row

  • Two-foot turns from forward to backward in place — clockwise and counterclockwise

  • Moving snowplow stop

  • Bonus skill: Curves

Basic 6

  • Forward skating (8-10 strides)

  • Forward one-foot glide, two times skater’s height (R and L)

  • Forward swizzles (4-6 in a row)

  • Backward swizzles (2-3 in a row)

  • Moving forward snowplow stop (two-foot)

  • Curves

Basic 3

  • Beginning forward stroking showing correct use of blade

  • Forward half swizzle pumps on a circle — 6–8 consecutive clockwise and counterclockwise

  • Moving forward to backward twofoot turns on a circle — clockwise and counterclockwise

  • Beginning backward one-foot glides — focus on balance

  • Backward snowplow stop — R and L

  • Forward slalom

  • Bonus skill: Forward pivots – clockwise and counterclockwise

Basic 4

  • Forward outside edge on a circle — R and L

  • Forward inside edge on a circle — R and L

  • Forward crossovers — clockwise and counterclockwise

  • Backward half swizzle pumps on a circle — clockwise and counterclockwise

  • Backward one-foot glides — R and L

  • Beginning two-foot spin — Up to two revolutions

  • Bonus skill: Forward lunges — both legs

Adult 1-6

The Adult curriculum is designed for both beginning and experienced adult skaters who wish to improve their skating skills. Participation in the program will help promote physical fitness and improve balance and coordination while teaching proper skating techniques. This is an exciting program for people who look to skating as an enjoyable part of a fit and healthy lifestyle.

 

Divided into six levels from basic skating to more advanced skills, adult skaters will progress at an individual rate while being challenged and motivated. Based on prior skating experience, adults may choose to begin at the level that best

matches their skill base.

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Off-ice orientation:

Equipment check: proper fit and lacing of skates, appropriate attire, safety concerns

Practice falling and recovery, walking in place, knee bends and one-foot balances in skates

Upon completion of the Adult 1-6 curriculum, adult skaters should feel confident with all fundamental skating skills and may choose to progress to more specialized areas of skating such as free skating, ice dancing, adult hockey leagues or synchronized skating.

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Ice Texture

Adult 1

  • Falling and recovery on ice

  • Forward marching

  • Forward two-foot glide

  • Forward swizzles (4-6 in a row)

  • One forward swizzle/one backward swizzle (rocking horse)

  • Dip

  • Forward snowplow stop (one or two feet)

Adult 5

  • Backward outside edge on circle (R and L)

  • Backward inside edge on a circle (R and L)

  • Backward crossovers, clockwise and

  • counterclockwise

  • Forward outside three-turn (R and L)

  • Forward swing rolls to a count of six

  • Beginning two-foot spin

Adult 2

  • Forward skating across the width of the ice

  • Forward one-foot glides (R and L)

  • Forward slalom

  • Backward wiggles

  • Backward swizzles (4-6 in a row)

  • Two-foot turns in place

Adult 6

  • Forward stroking with crossover end

  • patterns

  • Backward stroking with crossover end

  • patterns

  • Forward inside three-turn (R and L)

  • Beginning power pull (R and L)

  • T-stop (R or L)

  • Lunge

  • Two-foot spin into one-foot spin (USp)

Adult 3

  • Forward stroking with proper blade use

  • (begin with repetitive one-foot pushes)

  • Forward half-swizzle pumps on the circle,

  • clockwise and counterclockwise (6-8 in a

  • row)

  • Moving forward to backward and

  • backward to forward two-foot turn on a

  • circle, clockwise and counterclockwise

  • Backward skating into a long two-foot

  • glide

  • Forward chasses on a circle, clockwise and

  • counterclockwise

  • Backward snowplow stop (R and L)

Adult 4

  • Forward outside edge on a circle (R and L)

  • Forward inside edge on a circle (R and L)

  • Forward crossovers, clockwise and counterclockwise

  • Backward one-foot glides (R and L)

  • Backward half-swizzle pumps on a circle, clockwise and counterclockwise

  • Hockey stop, both directions

Done with Learn to Skate Program?

If you have completed all of the Basic Skills levels or Adult Levels, you will now move to the Free Skate levels. 

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You can sign up for the Elite class where you will learn jumps, spins, footwork, and more.   

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Or you can sign up for a private lesson with a coach.

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