Learn to Skate Videos

How to Tie Ice Skates

Understanding the significance of properly securing your figure skates and correctly positioning them on your feet is paramount in the world of figure skating. Properly laced skates provide the essential support and stability needed for your movements on the ice, enhancing both safety and performance. Equally important is the precise placement of the skates on your feet, ensuring optimal comfort and control as you glide and maneuver across the ice. Mastering these fundamental aspects is the cornerstone of a successful figure skating experience.

Basic Skills 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

Basic Skills 2

• Scooter pushes — R and L

• Forward one-foot glides — R and L

• Backward two-foot glide — Glide the length of the 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 Skills 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 two- foot 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 Skills 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

Basic Skills 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 Skills 6

• Forward inside three-turn — R and L

• Moving backward to forward two- foot turn on a circle — clockwise and counterclockwise

• Backward stroking

• Beginning one-foot spin — 2–4 revolutions, optional free leg position and entry

• T-stops – R and L

• Bunny hop

• Forward spiral on a straight line — R or L

• Bonus skill: Shoot the duck —R or L