Figure Skating Terms 101: A Beginner’s Guide

❄️ Jumps (Leaps Into the Air)

Jumps are those thrilling leaps where a skater launches off the ice, rotates in the air, and lands on one foot. All figure skating jumps land on a backward outside edge of one skate, but they differ in how you take off. Understanding the edge used, toe pick involvement, and rotational direction is key to mastering jump technique. Here are the most common jump terms you’ll hear:

• Waltz Jump: Often the very first jump learned by beginners. It involves a takeoff from a forward outside edge — typically the left foot for counter-clockwise (CCW) skaters — with a half rotation in the air, landing on the right foot’s backward outside edge.
  Usage: “Try a waltz jump from a standstill” – it’s a simple half-turn jump meant to ease you into jumping.
• Toe Loop: A full-rotation, toe-assisted jump. The skater takes off from the right foot's backward outside edge, using the left toe pick for assistance, and lands on the right foot's backward outside edge.
  Usage: “Let’s add a toe loop after your waltz jump.”
• Salchow (Sal-kow): An edge jump initiated from the left foot’s backward inside edge. The skater swings the right leg to assist rotation and lands on the right foot’s backward outside edge. Named after Ulrich Salchow.
  Usage: “Prepare from a backward edge and spring into that Salchow.”
• Loop: A tight, edge-only jump executed entirely on one foot. The skater takes off from the right foot’s backward outside edge and lands on the same edge/foot after a full rotation, with the left leg aiding the turn.
  Usage: “Keep your free leg close on the loop jump.”
• Flip: A toe-assisted jump where the skater takes off from the left foot’s backward inside edge, jabs the right toe pick into the ice, and lands on the right foot’s backward outside edge.
  Usage: “Check your inside edge before the flip.”
• Lutz: A more advanced toe jump. The skater glides backward on the left foot’s backward outside edge, uses the right toe pick to vault into the air, and lands on the right foot’s backward outside edge. A common error called a "flutz" occurs when skaters inadvertently switch to an inside edge before takeoff.
  Usage: “Hold that outside edge long on your Lutz entry.”
• Axel: The only jump with a forward takeoff, making it unique. Skaters push off the left foot’s forward outside edge, rotate 1½ times (for a single Axel), and land on the right foot’s backward outside edge. The extra half rotation makes this jump a major milestone in progression.
  Usage: “She just landed her Axel!”

🌀 Spins (Rotations in Place)

Spins are captivating elements where a skater rotates around a central point on the ice while maintaining specific body positions. Effective spins require balance over the "sweet spot" of the blade, located just behind the toe pick, and can be performed on either foot, though most skaters favor one direction of rotation. Understanding spin terminology will enhance your comprehension during practice sessions. Here are the fundamental spin types:

• Two-Foot Spin: An introductory spin where the skater rotates with both feet on the ice, helping beginners develop a sense of balance and rotation before progressing to one-foot spins.
  Usage: “Start with a two-foot spin to get accustomed to the sensation of spinning.”
• Upright Spin: A spin performed on one foot with the body in a vertical position. Variations include:
  • Scratch Spin: A fast-paced upright spin where the skater pulls arms and free leg close to the body to accelerate rotation.
  • Layback Spin: The skater arches the upper body backward, with the free leg in a back attitude position. This spin demands significant flexibility and balance.
  • Biellmann Spin: An advanced variation where the skater pulls the free leg over the head while spinning, requiring exceptional flexibility and strength.
  Usage: “Focus on maintaining a centered position during your upright spin.”
• Sit Spin: Executed by bending the skating knee deeply to achieve a position where the upper leg is at least parallel to the ice, with the free leg extended forward. Variations include:
  • Cannonball Spin: A sit spin where the skater pulls the arms and free leg close to the body, resembling a cannonball shape.
  • Pancake Spin: The free leg is crossed over the skating leg and held close to the body, with the torso bending over the legs.
  Usage: “Lower into your sit spin by deeply bending the skating knee.”
• Camel Spin: Involves extending the free leg backward with the knee higher than the hip level, creating a horizontal line with the upper body and free leg. Variations include:
  • Flying Camel Spin: Begins with a jump before transitioning into the camel position, adding complexity and flair.
  • Donut Spin: The skater grabs the blade of the free skate and pulls it toward the head while in the camel position, forming a circular shape.
  Usage: “Ensure your free leg is extended and parallel to the ice during the camel spin.”
• Backspin: Performed on the opposite foot and in the reverse direction of the skater's natural spinning direction. It's crucial for developing control for jump landings, such as the Axel.
  Usage: “Practice your backspin to improve control on jump landings.”
• Combination Spin: A spin where the skater transitions between different positions (e.g., camel to sit to upright) and may include a change of foot. Combination spins showcase versatility and control.
  Usage: “Incorporate a camel-sit-upright combination spin into your routine.”

👣 Footwork & Moves (Edges, Turns, and Glides)

Footwork refers to the steps, turns, and glides skaters perform to move across the ice with agility and control. While jumps and spins may draw the most attention, it’s the mastery of footwork that brings everything together — connecting elements, expressing music, and demonstrating skating quality. Strong footwork builds edge control, flow, and the confidence to tackle more advanced skills.

• Edges (Inside & Outside): Each skate blade has two edges: the inside (big toe side) and the outside (pinky toe side). Skating on an edge means leaning into that edge to carve a curved path on the ice — the foundation of almost everything in figure skating.
  Usage: “Push onto a deep outside edge to hold your curve longer.”
• Forward & Backward: Forward means you’re moving in the direction you’re facing; backward means your back is leading. Skating in both directions is essential — many turns, spins, and jumps rely on strong backward technique.
  Usage: “Try backward skating across the rink using strong pushes.”
• Crossovers: A way to build speed and navigate curves by crossing one foot over the other. Forward and backward crossovers are essential tools for movement and are often used in warmups and transitions.
  Usage: “Use crossovers to gain speed before your jump setup.”
• Three-Turn: A one-foot turn that changes both direction and edge — named for the "③" shape it leaves on the ice. It starts forward and ends backward (or vice versa), and is one of the first real turning skills skaters learn.
  Usage: “Let’s work on your forward outside three-turn.”
• Mohawk: A two-footed turn where you step from one foot to the other to change direction, staying on the same edge type (inside or outside). Useful for quick direction changes and choreography.
  Usage: “Try a forward inside mohawk to transition to backward skating.”
• Spread Eagle: A dramatic gliding move where both feet are on the ice with heels nearly touching and toes pointing out in opposite directions. Skaters lean into either inside or outside edges to create beautiful long arcs.
  Usage: “Hold your spread eagle through the entire corner.”
• Ina Bauer: A graceful, arching glide with one leg bent in front on a forward edge and the other extended straight behind on a backward edge. The torso often arches back, making this move especially eye-catching.
  Usage: “Her Ina Bauer had such deep edges and beautiful extension.”
• Spiral: A glide on one foot with the free leg lifted and extended behind the skater — ideally above hip level — held steadily on a strong edge. Spirals are a showcase of flexibility and edge control.
  Usage: “Try holding your spiral edge longer for better presentation.”
• Shoot-the-Duck: A crouching glide where one knee bends deeply while the other leg stretches straight forward off the ice. It's a test of strength, balance, and bravery — and often a favorite challenge in class.
  Usage: “Let’s practice shoot-the-ducks to build leg strength.”
• Swizzles: A beginner-friendly way to move by pushing the feet out and then pulling them back together in an oval shape. They’re often the first skill taught and build confidence in gliding and control.
  Usage: “Let’s warm up with a few rows of forward and backward swizzles.”
• Stops (Snowplow & Hockey Stop): Snowplow stops use both feet to push outward and slow down, while hockey stops involve turning sharply sideways and scraping the ice to halt quickly. Both are crucial for safe and confident skating.
  Usage: “Practice your snowplow stop before attempting a sharper hockey stop.”

🏅 Levels & Competition Terms (Skating Levels Explained)

Figure skating has a whole hierarchy of levels and competition formats. As an adult beginner, you might hear skaters talk about their “Pre-Bronze test” or aiming for “Adult Nationals” and wonder what it all means. This glossary section breaks it all down so you can confidently join the conversation — and maybe even set your own long-term skating goals.

• Learn to Skate (Basic Skills Levels): Adults have their own Basic levels (Adult 1–6), which roughly match the kids’ Basic 1–6 curriculum. These classes introduce fundamental skating skills such as balance, gliding, edges, stops, and simple turns. Some rinks may also offer Adult Pre-Free Skate after Adult 6, which transitions skaters into more advanced elements like spins and jumps.
  Usage: “I just passed Adult 4 – Adult 5, here I come!”
• Standard Test Levels (Pre-Preliminary through Senior): This traditional test track includes Pre-Preliminary, Preliminary, Pre-Juvenile, Juvenile, Intermediate, Novice, Junior, and Senior. These levels require passing two types of tests at each stage: Moves in the Field (for skating skills, edges, and patterns) and Free Skate (for jumps, spins, and choreography). Skaters of any age — including adults — can choose this path, although it’s more demanding in terms of technical requirements.
  Usage: “She’s working on her Juvenile Moves test.”
• Adult Test Levels (Pre-Bronze, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Masters): Designed specifically for adult skaters aged 21 and up, this test structure makes the sport more accessible by offering progressive benchmarks. The levels feature gradually increasing difficulty — from simple jumps and spins at Pre-Bronze, to axels at Silver, to more advanced combinations at Gold and Masters. Many adult skaters work through these levels over time while balancing other life commitments.
  Usage: “I’m an Adult Bronze skater.”
• Competitions – Nationals, Sectionals, Worlds: Adults can compete at local, regional (Sectionals), and national levels through U.S. Figure Skating’s adult series. The ultimate goal for many is Adult Nationals — open to skaters who qualify through Sectionals or other qualifying events. Higher-level skaters may even participate in International Adult Competitions like the ISU International Adult Figure Skating Competition held annually in Europe.
  Usage: “Are you going to Adult Nationals this year?”
• Programs – Short Program vs Free Skate: Competitive skaters usually perform a choreographed program in competition. The Short Program includes required elements and has stricter rules, while the Free Skate (also called the “long program”) allows for more creative expression. Most adult events only require a Free Skate, but higher levels may include both.
  Usage: “I’m choreographing my Bronze Free Skate.”
• Ice Dance & Pairs: These are disciplines in their own right. Ice dance emphasizes musical rhythm, pattern dances, and intricate footwork — no jumps required. Pairs skating includes synchronized jumps, spins, lifts, and death spirals. Both have adult test and competition tracks. Ice dance especially is popular among adult skaters because it promotes strong edge work and skating posture.
  Usage: “We’re learning a Bronze dance pattern.”

⛸️ Bringing It All Together: Talk Like a Skater!

You’ve now explored a foundational glossary of figure skating terminology designed to help adult skaters navigate the rink with clarity and confidence. From jumps like the Lutz to turns like the Mohawk, this guide equips you with the vocabulary to understand instructions, follow conversations, and feel more connected to the skating community.

Knowing the correct terms can enhance your communication with coaches, help you engage more meaningfully with fellow skaters, and ultimately boost your confidence both on and off the ice. Whether you’re discussing your level, practicing new elements, or watching a competition, you’ll be able to keep up with the lingo and participate fully in the sport you love.

As you continue developing your skills, remember that this glossary is just the beginning. There’s always more to learn — from understanding the nuances of scoring, to discovering unique moves like the Ina Bauer, to picking up expressions and slang used by experienced skaters. Each new term you master strengthens your bond to the skating world.

Ready for what’s next? Be sure to check out our blog for more guides and inspiration — from tips on choosing the right coach to understanding competition structure. And if you’re looking to show off your skater pride, our shop has apparel and accessories that let you wear your passion on and off the ice. See you at the rink!