A Quick Glossary of Skating Terms

Arabian
A flying camel spin in which the skater's body,legs and arms are parallel to the ice. When lauched on one foot and ending in a sit spin it's called a "death drop"

Axel Jump
One of the most difficult jumps, the skater takes off from the forward outside edge and lands on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. A single axel consists of 1 1/2 revolutions, a double is 2 1/2, and a triple is 3 1/2 revolutions. Named after it's inventor Axel Paulsen, it's the only jump that begins from a forward position.

Choreography
The planning and arranging of movements, steps and patterns in a performance.

Combination Spin
Combinations of several spins where the skater changes feet and positions while maintaining speed throughout the entire spin.

Crossover
A method of gaining speed and turning corners in which the skater crosses one foot over the other. There are both forward and backward crossovers.

Draw
The process by the referee in the presence of the judges determines the skating order conducted.

Edges
The two sides of the skate blades on either side of hte grooved center. Edge Jumps A jump where a skater takes off from the entry edge of the skating foot, without bringing the free leg in contact with the ice to assist the takeoff. The axel,loop, and salchow are common edge jumps.

Flip Jump
A jump that takes off with a push of the toe pick and lands on the opposite foot.

Footwork
A sequence of steps manuevers carrying the skater across the ice in patterns, generally straight, circular or serpentine.

Layback Spin
Generally performed by woman, it involves an upright spin position in which the head and shoulders are dropped backwards and the back arches.

Loop Jump
An edge jump, taken off from a back outside edge and landed on the same back outside.

Lutz Jump
A toe pick assisted, taken off from the back outside edge and landed on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. The skater glides backward in a wide curve, taps his toe pick on the ice, and rotates in the opposite direction of a curve. The jump is named after it's inventor, Alois Lutz.

Salchow Jump
Created by Ulrich Salchow, it's another edge jump taken off from the back outside edge of the opposite foot.

Sit Spin
A spin done in a "sitting" position, the body is low to the ice with the skating or spinning knee bent and the non-skating leg or "free" leg beside it.

Spiral
A move in which the skater demonstrates flexibilty and fluid line by extending their non-skating leg behind them into the air during a long glide.

Spiral Sequence
A sequence of steps that incorporate various spirals in a pattern across the ice. Spirals in a spiral sequence may be done going forwards, backwards, in a straight line or on a curve.

Step Sequence
A sequence of steps that immediatley follow one another, executed in time to the music and cherography related to each other.

Stroking
Fluid movement used to gain speed in which a skater pushes off back and forth from the inside edge of one skate to the inside edge of the other skate.

Toe Loop
A toe pick assisted jump that takes off and lands on the same back outside edge.

Toe Picks
The teeth of the front of the blade, used primarily for jumping and spinning.

Walley Jump
A jump that takes off from a back inside edge and lands on the back outside edge of the same foot.

Pair Movements:

Death Spiral
Male skater spins partner around; female skater glides almost horizontally on the ice.

Hand-to-hand Loop Lift
Male partner raises female partner above head; she assumes sitting position in air.

Hydrant Lift
Male skater tosses female partner over head, rotates, catches partner facing him.

Platter Lift
Male partner raises female partner overhead; she faces back of the manin a platter position.

Star Lift
Male skater raises female partner by hip from his side; she assumes the scissor position.

Toe Overhead Lift
Male skater swings partner from the side, behind his head and into a raised position.

Throws
Male skater tosses female partner in air; she spins and lands on one foot.

Source: United States Figure Skating Association

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