Class Descriptions
Tots
Children ages 3 – 6 are taught the very basics of skating. We use fun and excitement along with instructional techniques aimed for the preschool set. Classes are 30 minutes long.
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Little Dogs (Formerly Tot Hockey)
Beginning hockey players ages 3 - 6 learn to skate in this class. Hockey helmets, elbow and knee protection, and gloves required. Classes are 30 minutes long.
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Basic Skills
The Basic Skating skills classes teach skaters ages 7 and up the fundamentals of skating. After the basic skills such as jumps, turns, spins, and crossovers have been mastered, skaters may advance into Freestyle Classes. Classes are 40 minutes long.
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Freestyle Classes
The USFSA Basic Freestyle program is where skaters learn more advanced skating skills such as spins and footwork. At this level skaters may choose to supplement their training with one-on-one instruction. Classes are 40 minutes long.
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We also offer Power, Spinning, Edge, and Axel classes. Please contact the Glacier Skating Academy office at (847)362-1222 for information on these specialty classes.
Tots Register now
Children ages 3 - 6 learn the very basics of skating in our terrific tot classes.
Based on USFSA Snowplow Sam, Tot 1 and Tot 2 will introduce your child to ice skating in a fun and safe manner. Tot 3 gets our youngest skaters ready to enter Basic Skills at level 3.
*Rental Skates are included in the class fee. |
Tot 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
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Tot 2 
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- March followed by a long glide
- Dip while moving
- Backward wiggles: 6 in a row
- Forward two foot swizzles: 2 - 3 in a row
- Rocking Horse - one forward, one backward swizzle action
- Two foot hop in place
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Tot 3 
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- Forward skating: 8 - 10 steps
- Forward one foot glide - right and left
- Forward swizzles: 4 - 6 in a row
- Backward swizzles: 4 -6 in a row
- Forward snowplow stop
- Curves
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Little Dogs (Formerly Tot Hockey) Register now
Little Dogs is our learn-to-skate program for beginning hockey players ages 3 to 6 who have never skated before. Children learn basic skills like the proper way to fall/get up, marching, and gliding while gaining confidence on the ice.
After completing Little Dogs 1, where students focus on skating development.
Upon mastering these basic skating skills, children advance to Little Dogs 2 where stops, crossovers, and puck handling will be introduced.
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**Equipment required for Little Dogs
-Hockey helmet, elbow and knee protection, and gloves required.
- Rental skates included in class fee.
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Skaters ages 7 and up learn basic skating skills like jumps, turns, spins, and crossovers in the USFSA's Basic Skills program known as Basic Eights. This program provides the foundation to enjoy skating the rest of your life or to train for competitions.
**Skates are not included in the class fee.
First-time skaters start with Basic 1. Those moving up from the Tot classes usually start at Basic 3. |
Note: These elements are from the USFSA Revised Curriculum 2000
(effective Sept 1, 2000). |
Basic 1 |
- Sit on ice and stand up
- March forward across the ice
- Forward 2-foot glide
- Dip
- Forward swizzles (6-8 in a row)
- Backward wiggles (6-8 in a row)
- Snowplow stop
- Rocking horse (2-3)
- 2-foot hop in place (optional)
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Basic 2 |
- Forward 1-foot glides (R&L)
- Backward 2-foot glide
- Backward swizzles (6-8 in a row)
- 2-foot turn from fwd to backward in place
- Moving snowplow stop
- Fwd alternating 1/2 swizzle pumps, in a straight line (slalom-like pattern)
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Basic 3 |
- Fwd stroking, showing correct use of blade
- Fwd 1/2 swizzle pumps on a circle (6-8 consecutive, CW & CCW)
- Moving fwd to backward 2-foot turn (CCW & CW)
- Backward 1-foot glides (R&L)
- Forward slalom
- 2-foot spin (up to 2 revolutions)
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Basic 4 |
- FO edge on a circle (R&L)
- FI edge on a circle (R&L)
- Forward crossovers (CW & CCW)
- FO 3-turn from a stand-still position (R&L)
- Back 1/2 swizzle pumps on a cirlce (CW & CCW)
- Backward stroking
- Backward snowplow stop (R&L)
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Basic 5 |
- BO edge on a circle (R&L)
- BI edge on a circle (R&L)
- Backward crossovers (CW & CCW)
- Beginning 1-foot spin (up to 3 rev, optional entry & freefoot positions)
- Hockey stop
- Side to hop (both directions)
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Basic 6 |
- FID 3-turn from a standstill position (R&L)
- Moving backward to forward 2-foot turn on a circle (CW & CCW)
- T-stop (R or L)
- Bunny hop
- Forward arabesque / spiral straight line (R or L)
- Forward lunge (R or L)
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Basic 7 |
- FI open mohawk from a standstill position (R to L and L to R)
- BO edge to FO edge transition on a circle (R&L)
- Ballet jump (R or L)
- Back crossovers to a BO edge glide (landing position) (CW & CCW)
- FI pivots (R or L)
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Basic 8 |
- Moving FO 3-turn on a circle (R&L)
- Moving FI 3-turn on a circle (R&L)
- Combination move: 2 forward crossovers, FI mohawk, cross-behind,
- Step into back XO, step to FI edge (repeat 3 times CW & CCW)
- One foot upright spin (optional entry & freefoot position)
- Waltz jump
- Mazurka (R or L)
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The USFSA Basic Freestyle program is where skaters learn more advanced skating skills such as spins and footwork.
At this level most skaters choose to supplement their training with private lessons.
These elements are from the USFSA Revised Curriculum 2000 (effective Sept 1, 2000). |
Free Skate 1 |
- Advanced forward stroking.
- Basic FO & FI consecutive edges (4-6 edges)
- Advanced BO 3-turn (CW & CCW, R&L)
- Scratch spin from back XOs (min 3 rev)
- Waltz jump; from 2-3 back XOs
- Half flip
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Free Skate 2 |
- Basic BO & BI consecutive edges (4-6 edges)
- FO & FI spirals (CCW & CW, R&L)
- Continuous forward progressive chasse sequence (CW & CCW)
- Waltz 3s
- Beginning back spin (2 turns)
- Jump sequence: Waltz jump, side toe hop, waltz jump
- Toe loop
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Free Skate 3 |
- Forward & Backward XOs in figure-8 pattern
- Waltz Eight (MIF)
- Advanced forward consecutive swing rolls (4-6 edges)
- BI 3-turn (CW & CCW)
- Backspin with freefoot in crossed leg position (min 3 revs)
- Salchow
- Half Lutz
- Jump combination: waltz-toe loop, or salchow-toe loop
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Free Skate 4 |
- Spiral sequence: FI spiral, FI mohawk, BO spiral (CW & CCW)
- Forward power 3-turns (R&L)
- Continuous back progressive, chasse sequence on a circle (CW & CCW)
- Sit spin (3 revs)
- Loop jump
- Jump combination: waltz-loop
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Free Skate 5 |
- BO 3-turn, mohawk into 3 back XOs (repeat 3 times)
- Spiral sequence: FO spiral, FO 3-turn, one back XO, BI spiral (CW & CCW)
- FO slide chasse swing roll sequence (3-6 times, alternating feet)
- Camel spin (min 3 revs)
- Forward upright spin to back scratch spin (3 revs per foot)
- Jump combination: loop-loop
- Flip jump
- Jump sequence: waltz, falling leaf, toe loop
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Free Skate 6 |
- Alternating back XOs to BO edges
- 5-step mohawk sequence (CW & CCW)
- Spin combination: camel/sit (5 revs)
- Split jump / stag jump
- Jump sequence: waltz, half loop, Salchow
- Lutz jump
- Axel walkthrough; preparation, jump (Axel does not need to be landed to pass this test; skater should have an understanding of the mechanics)
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