Charleston Figure Skating Club

Testing » In-Person Tests » On the Ice

On the Ice

Figure skater in black dress standing at the boards by the hockey box getting feedback from her coach

Each group of skaters will get a warm-up on the ice of approximately five minutes immediately prior to that group’s test. The skater should work ahead of time with their coach to come up with a warm-up routine that fits this time limit – and practice it.

Once the group warm-up is over, the first skater in the group will get on the ice. For most tests, the skater will be the only one on the ice. However, for the first test in both skating skills and singles, it is not unusual to have up to three skaters on the ice at the same time. This applies only to standard pre-preliminary skating skills and singles and adult pre-bronze skating skills and singles tests. An ice monitor will let skaters know when they should get on the ice. In the case of multiple skaters testing at once, the monitor will also let the skaters know where to go. The test schedule should also provide this information.

For all levels of skating skills tests and the first level of singles tests (standard pre-preliminary singles and adult pre-bronze singles), the skater should go to the judges when they first get on the ice. This gives the judge-in-charge an opportunity to provide the skater with any instructions they feel are necessary. The judges typically sit in a hockey box or similar area, and they will usually have clipboards with the test papers on them.

For all other tests, the skater should go to their starting position and take their starting pose. This will indicate to the person running the music that the skater is ready to begin.

Although the coach is usually at rink-side, skaters may not talk to their coaches during a test. There are two exceptions: skating skills tests and higher-level partnered pattern dance tests. For skating skills tests, the skater may consult briefly with their coach in between each element. For higher-level partnered pattern dance tests, the skater may consult briefly with their coach between the partnered and solo portions of the test. In addition, skaters should check with the judges (visually) before beginning each element of the skating skills test. This is just to make sure the judges are ready to watch.

When the skater has completed their test, they should approach the judges but not too closely, in case they are discussing the test. The judges will then either dismiss the skater or ask the skater to re-skate an element. If the judges request a reskate, they will let the skater know what was wrong with the element and give the skater a chance to warm it up briefly. The skater must let the judges know if they want a brief warm-up.

U.S. Figure Skating permits the following reskates for each discipline: