Understanding Figure Skating: A Comprehensive Glossary
Figure skating is a sport that combines athleticism, grace, and artistry on ice. It involves various moves, jumps, spins, and sequences that are often referred to in specialized terms. Whether you’re a newcomer to the sport or a seasoned fan, understanding these terms can enhance your appreciation of the performances. Here, we present a comprehensive glossary of figure skating terms.
Axel
An Axel is a figure skating jump named after Axel Paulsen. The Axel begins with a forward takeoff from the outer edge of one skate, involves one and a half rotations in the air, and ends with a backward landing on the opposite skate.
Biellmann Spin
The Biellmann Spin, named after Denise Biellmann, is a move where the skater performs a one-foot spin while pulling the other leg up and over their head, creating a split position.
Camel Spin
A Camel Spin involves the skater spinning on one leg while the other leg is extended backward, parallel to the ice, resembling the position of a camel.
Cantilever
A Cantilever is a move where the skater bends backward with their knees bent and their upper body parallel to the ice, creating a unique visual effect. Their feet should be positioned facing opposite directions with each heel facing inward.
Change of Foot
A Change of Foot is a transition where a skater switches from one foot to the other during a spin or footwork sequence.
Charlotte Spiral
The Charlotte Spiral is a primarily backwards skating move where the skater extends one leg straight up and forward while gliding on the other leg, creating a split-like position.
Choreographic Sequence
A Choreographic Sequence is a series of steps, turns, and movements that reflect the music’s rhythm and style, enhancing the performance’s artistic aspect.
Combination Jump
Combination Jumps are sequences where two or more jumps are performed in succession without any intermediate steps or turns.
Death Drop
The Death Drop is a jump that transitions directly into a flying sit spin, starting with a jump and ending in a seated spinning position.
Death Spiral
In a Death Spiral, one partner holds the other by the hand while the latter leans back close to the ice in a deep edge position, creating a spiral.
Double Jump
A Double Jump consists of two full rotations in the air before landing.
Edge
An Edge refers to the sides of the skate blades used to control direction and speed on the ice, classified as inside or outside edges.
Fall
A Fall occurs when a skater loses balance and unintentionally makes contact with the ice.
Flip Jump
The Flip Jump involves a toe pick takeoff from the back inside edge of one skate and a full rotation in the air before landing on the opposite skate.
Flying Spin
A Flying Spin is initiated with a jump, adding a dynamic and airborne start to the spin.
Free Dance
The Free Dance is a segment in ice dance competitions where skaters perform routines with lifts, spins, and step sequences to music of their choice.
Free Skate
The Free Skate is a segment in figure skating competitions where skaters perform routines with jumps, spins, and footwork to music of their choice.
Ice Dance
Ice Dance is a discipline focused on the rhythm and interpretation of music, performed by a pair of skaters in intricate steps and patterns.
Jump Combination
A Jump Combination involves executing two or more jumps consecutively with no intervening steps or turns.
Jump Sequence
A Jump Sequence is a series of jumps with steps or turns between them, performed consecutively.
Kiss and Cry
The Kiss and Cry is the area where skaters and coaches wait for their scores after performing, often displaying a range of emotions.
Layback Spin
In a Layback Spin, the skater spins while leaning backward with an arched back, often with one leg extended backward.
Lift
A Lift is a move in pair skating where one partner lifts the other above their head, maintaining various positions and movements.
Loop Jump
The Loop Jump is a takeoff from the back outside edge of one skate, involving a full rotation in the air before landing on the same edge.
Lutz Jump
The Lutz Jump, invented by Alois Lutz, involves a long glide on the back outside edge of one skate before taking off the toe pick of the other foot and rotating in the air, with a unique entry edge making it distinct.
Pair Skating
Pair Skating features a male and female skater performing elements like lifts, throws, and synchronized jumps and spins together.
Pattern Dance
A Pattern Dance is a predefined sequence of steps and movements performed to a specific rhythm and music, common in ice dance.
Quadruple Jump
A Quadruple Jump consists of four full rotations in the air before landing.
Salchow Jump
The Salchow Jump, named after its creator Ulrich Salchow, starts with a takeoff from the back inside edge of one skate and involves a full rotation in the air before landing on the opposite skate’s back outside edge.
Short Program
The Short Program is a segment in competitions with a set of required elements performed within a specified time limit.
Sit Spin
In a Sit Spin, the skater spins in a sitting position, with the skating leg bent and the other leg extended forward.
Spiral
A Spiral is a position where the skater glides on one leg with the free leg extended backward, often at or above hip height.
Step Sequence
A Step Sequence is a series of steps and turns performed in sequence, highlighting the skater’s footwork and edge control.
Throw Jump
A Throw Jump involves one partner in pair skating being thrown into the air by the other, performing rotations before landing.
Toe Loop
The Toe Loop is initiated by a toe pick assist, followed by a full rotation in the air and a backward landing.
Triple Jump
A Triple Jump consists of three full rotations in the air before landing.
Twizzle
Twizzles are rapid, continuous rotations performed on one foot while moving across the ice, often in sequences.
Upright Spin
An Upright Spin is a basic spin performed in an upright position, standing on one foot.