Understanding
Synchronized Skating
and its Value for
Parents
Kelly Hodge, Director, Synchronized Skating,
U.S. Figure Skating
AGENDA
1. What is U.S. Figure Skating?
2. Values Athletes Learn Through Skating
3. Why Synchronized Skating?
4. How Synchronized Skating Works Within U.S.
Figure Skating
5. Your Role in the Team
6. Responsibilities of the Team
7. Your Responsibilities as a Parent
WHAT IS U.S. FIGURE SKATING?
U.S. Figure Skating is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport
of figure skating, as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee
(USOC) and International Skating Union (ISU).
MISSION STATEMENT: As the NGB, the mission of U.S. Figure Skating is to provide
programs to encourage participation and achievement in the sport of figure skating.
VALUES / GOALS:
1. Win medals in Olympic Games, World Championships and ISU
competitions.
2. Increase / maintain membership
3. Maintain financial security
“Medals, Membership, Money”
WHAT IS U.S. FIGURE SKATING?
U.S. Figure Skating is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport
of figure skating, as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee
(USOC) and International Skating Union (ISU).
1. Select athletes and teams in all five disciplines to compete at ISU
competitions. Provide funding, programs, support, etc., to help them reach their potential
and bring home medals.
2. Create programs and provide a support structure for athletes of all ages,
levels and to find success. Club education, support materials, coaches education, athlete
camps, etc.
3. Provide the pipeline and structure for figure skating. Beginning with the U.S.
Figure Skating Basic Skills Program, U.S. Figure Skating supports the pipeline for developing
skaters from their first step on the ice through the championship level.
WHAT IS U.S. FIGURE SKATING?
U.S. Figure Skating is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport
of figure skating, as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee
(USOC) and International Skating Union (ISU).
WE ARE COMPRISED OF:
•645 U.S. Figure Skating member clubs
•800 U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Programs
•525 synchronized skating teams (8000 athletes)
•64,000 regular members (includes athletes, coaches, officials, adult skaters, synchronized
skaters, theater on ice skaters, individual members and “Friends of Figure Skating)
•120,000 Basic Skills members
•Board of Directors
•35 Standing committees to oversee various areas of figure skating
•Approximately 35 staff members at U.S. Figure Skating HQ’s in Colorado
Springs, Colo.
VALUES THROUGH
FIGURE SKATING
•Acquire an appreciation for an active lifestyle
•Develop self-esteem, self-confidence, self-discipline and self-reliance
by mastering and performing skating skills
•Learn to manage stress, perform under pressure and test emotional
and physical balance
•How to develop short term and long term goals
•Develop social skills with other children and adults
•Learn about managing success and disappointment
•Learn about fair play and being a good sport
•Learn respect for others
QUALITIES THAT MAKE A
SUCCESSFUL FIGURE SKATER
•Technical ability
•Quality edges
•Presentation- carriage, expression, artistry
•Involve the audience
•Passion
•Confidence
•Strong and healthy body
•Athletic
•Drive (hungry for the challenge)
•Work ethic
…AND A SUCCESSFUL
SYNCHRONIZED SKATER
• Is a “team player”
• Has a flexible personality
• Enjoys sharing both success and failure with others
• Understands and values their contribution to the team
• Does not need to be a “star” or the center of attention
• Has a supportive and positive attitude
• Supports teammates in both success and failure, accepts
that the team succeeds and fails as a team.
WHY SYNCHRONIZED SKATING?
•It is the most popular discipline in qualifying competitions. Approximately 5,000 skaters
compete at the sectional championships annually. There are also more opportunities for
advancement in the synchronized skating competitive pipeline.
•Helps figure skating compete with other high-school team sports at a critical life stage – high
school!
•Provides values and experiences that are often missing from an individual sport: Teamwork,
social skills, being part of something bigger than yourself, responsibility, etc.
•Is an additional competitive option for athletes who wish to compliment their single skating
with another activity. Many find it less stressful and less physically demanding.
WHY SYNCHRONIZED SKATING?
• Synchronized skating is now a much more challenging sport, requiring more practice
time, and more individual skills. Having a synchronized team benefits the rink and all
coaches.
• Being part of a team creates a sense of team spirit and loyalty among club skaters.
Wearing the “team colors”, trading team pins and cheering for rink-mates is one of the
most special parts of the experience.
• A well developed collegiate skating program gives young athletes a goal to work towards.
There are many benefits to participating in collegiate synchronized skating, and
participating on a U.S. Figure Skating competitive team in high school prepares athletes.
SUMMARY: Competitive Pipeline Comparison
to Singles Skating
SYNCHRO
Basic Skills Program
SINGLES
Basic Skills Program
Pre-preliminary (no age restrictions)
Preliminary (under 12; majority under 10)
Preliminary (no age restrictions)
Pre-Juvenile (majority under 12)
Pre-Juvenile (no age restrictions)
Open Juvenile (Maj. Under 18)
Open Juvenile (At least 13)
Juvenile (Under 13)
Juvenile (Under 13)
Intermediate (Under 18)
Intermediate (Under 18)
Novice (Under 16, four skaters may be 16-17)
Novice (no age restrictions)
Junior (Under 19)
Junior (no age restrictions)
Senior (At least 14)
Senior (no age restrictions)
Collegiate events (full-time students)
Collegiate events (full-time students)
Adult events (At least 21, various categories)
Adult events (At least 21, various categories)
COMPETITIVE PIPELINE
Each level is designed to allow athletes and teams to progress through
the levels, gaining the skills that they need before they move on.
All synchronized skating levels build from several basic skills:
1. Circles, lines, blocks, wheels and intersections
2. Edge quality and control: Edges and turns within step sequences
3. Free skating moves and elements: spirals, spread eagles, ina bauers, etc.
4. Increasing competency in the program components: skating skills, choreography, musical
interpretation, performance execution and transitions
5.
The program duration increases as the levels increases. More “Well Balanced Program”
elements are gradually added to the program as : Moves in the Field, Movements in Isolation,
Spins, No Hold Step Sequence.
6. As the team reaches higher levels, more features are layered onto each element to increase
difficulty, therefore earning points under IJS: Traveling, change of rotational direction,
pivoting, point of intersection and increasingly more difficult step sequences.
YOUR ROLE IN THE TEAM
Differences between synchronized skating & singles
SYNCHRONIZED SKATING
• A structured organization oversees the
competitive pipeline for many athletes.
• A Director of Synchronized Skating oversees the
coaching staff, the overall goals for the
organization, etc.
• All decisions are made in the best interest of the
team and/or organization, overall. Some decisions
could be considered “negative” for a handful of
individuals.
• Parents may not be able to communicate directly
with the coach, they must follow an established
process for conflict resolution, etc.
• Parents do not choose the coach, or have the
opportunity to change coaches during the season.
SINGLES SKATING
• Parent and coach work to develop the
competitive opportunities, goals and training path
for the athlete.
• All decisions are made in effort to help the
individual athlete improve and meet his or her
goals.
• Lessons are tailored to the individual’s learning
style.
• Parent contacts coach directly to discuss plans
for the athlete’s training.
• Parent hires coach directly, and has the authority
to change coaches at any time.
• Parent, athlete and coach can change plans
throughout the season.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TEAM
1. Communicate clearly, early and often the goals and
expectations of the team and its members.
2. This includes behavior of athletes and families, travel, training
expectations, time commitment, etc.
3. Things change! The team should also outline the “variables”,
what could cause changes and their process for
communicating them. Families should make every effort to
adapt.
4. Finances: The team should be as clear as possible about all costs upfront, and outline them in
writing. Any variables (such as travel costs, etc.) should be noted and it should be discussed
when and how the information will be available. (For example: Qualifying for nationals).
Also included should be the consequences for not keeping up with payments.
5. Other expectations: Travel expectations, selection to various teams, selection of alternates,
etc.
RESPONSIBILITES of the PARENTS
Do your homework!
It is the parent’s responsibility to make the best
choice possible which organization their child
should skate for.
1. Spend the time to thoroughly read any information given to you. Make sure you
understand it.
2. Make a list of any information that is unclear, or questions you have. Contact the team
to ask for clarification.
3. Ask parents of current team members about their experiences with the organization.
4. Are the organization’s goals in concert with your child’s goal?
5. Does the philosophy of the organization compliment your priorities as a parent?
6. Can your family make the necessary time and financial commitment to this team?
RESPONSIBILITES of the PARENTS
Once you join the team
Once you decide to join the team – you have made a
commitment to your skater and to the
organization.
1. Review all team policies, expectations, etc., with your skater. Make sure that he or she
understands the commitment.
2. Support your skater and help them to honor their commitment to the team.
3. Support your skater in being the best team member that he or she can be.
4. Support the coach, the management team and the decisions that are made.
5. If you have a problem, follow the team’s established process for discussing it.
6. Never speak negatively about the coach, management team, other skaters or other
parents in the presence of your child.
RESPONSIBILITES of the PARENTS
Teaching Opportunities
Synchronized skating provides the opportunity for
many life lessons – make sure you find them.
1. Remember that you are providing your child with an
opportunity to train, compete, work hard, etc. You are not
providing automatic success or a “placement” in a
competition.
2. Failure is an important learning experience in youth sports –
support your child when things don’t go his or her way.
3. Encourage your child to take responsibility for his or her
skating and his or her role in the team. This means they should
be the one communicating with the coach, improving skills,
etc.
4. Teams allow an opportunity to work with diverse people with different ideas. Help your
child to work as productively as possible with the group, even when he or she doesn’t get
his or her own way.