Figure skating is a beautiful sport where athletes glide, jump, and spin on ice. It combines athleticism with artistry, making it exciting to watch. To understand the sport better, it helps to know some of the special words and phrases used by skaters, coaches, and fans. This guide explains common figure skating terms in a simple way, so you can follow along with the action!
0–9
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- 3 turn
- Also called a three turn. This is a one-foot turn on the ice. It changes the way the skater is gliding and leaves a '3' shape on the ice.
- 6.0 system
- This was the old way of scoring competitions until 2004. Skaters were scored from 0.0 to 6.0, and judges compared them to each other.
A
- age-eligible
- This means a skater is the right age to compete at a certain level. For example, to compete as a Junior, skaters must be at least 13 but not yet 19 by July 1st. For Senior events, skaters must be at least 15.
- attitude
- A leg position where the free leg (the one not on the ice) is lifted behind the body. The knee is bent, and the leg is held at a 90-degree angle to the skating foot. This is often used in a layback spin.
- arabesque
- A leg position where the free leg is stretched straight out behind the body. This is the basic position for a camel spin.
- Axel jump
- The only jump that starts with the skater gliding forward. It has an extra half rotation (180 degrees) in the air. Skaters land it gliding backward, like all other jumps. It was named after Axel Paulsen.
B
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- backflip
- A somersault done backward in the air. Backflips are not allowed in competitions. You might see them in skating shows or exhibitions.
- backspin
- A spin done on the back outside edge of the skate blade.
- base value
- In the scoring system, this is a number given to each move in a skater's program. It helps make judging fair by giving a standard score for each element.
- Besti squat
- A move similar to a spread eagle. The skater glides on both outside edges with bent knees. It's named after Natalia Bestemianova.
- Biellmann spin
- A spin or spiral where the skater pulls their free leg up behind their head. For it to be a Biellmann spin, the skate must go above the head. It's named after Denise Biellmann, who made it famous.
- boards
- The wall around the ice rink. In competitions, these walls often have ads. At the Olympics, they usually have special designs or the Olympic logo.
- bracket turn
- A one-foot turn that changes the edge and leaves a '}' shape on the ice.
- butterfly jump
- A flying spin where the skater takes off with two feet. Their body goes almost flat to the ice in the air, with their legs moving like scissors.
C
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A cantilever with hands extended
- camel spin
- A spin where the free leg is stretched out in the air. It is parallel to the ice, like an arabesque.
- cantilever
- A move where the skater bends their knees and leans their back backward. Their body becomes almost parallel to the ice. They can do this with their hands on the ice or in the air.
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- A spin or spiral where the skater holds their free leg with one or both hands. The Biellmann spin is a famous catch-foot position.
- centered
- A spin that stays in one spot on the ice. The opposite of this is traveling.
- A spin that changes from one foot to the other. For example, from a forward spin to a backspin, but still spinning in the same direction.
- chasse
- An ice dance step. It can be a simple, crossed, or slide chasse.
- check
- Stopping the rotation of a jump or spin. Skaters use their arms and shoulders to do this.
- cheated
- A jump that was not fully rotated in the air. This means the skater either started rotating on the ice or finished rotating after landing.
- choctaw turn
- A two-foot turn that changes the edge and the lobe (the circle traced on the ice).
- Charlotte spiral
- Also called a candlestick spiral. A spiral where the skater bends their body down towards their skating leg. The free leg is held straight up in a 180-degree split.
- Code of Points
- This is the informal name for the ISU Judging System.
- combination
- Two or more moves (like jumps or spins) done one after another. For example, a jump combination or a spin combination.
- compulsory dance
- This used to be a part of ice dance competitions. All teams did the same dance to the same music. Now, it's called the pattern dance and is part of the rhythm dance.
- compulsory figures
- Also called school figures. These were specific patterns skaters traced on the ice. They used to be a big part of competitions but were removed in 1990.
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- counter turn
- A one-foot turn where the skater enters and exits on the same edge. However, the turn changes the lobe and rotates outside the original circle.
- crossover
- Crossing one foot over the other while skating on a curve. This helps skaters gain speed and turn corners. It can be done forwards or backwards.
- crouch
- A two-foot skating move where both of the skater's legs are bent at least 90 degrees.
D
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A death spiral with the lady on a back inside edge
- dance lift
- In ice dance, a type of lift where the lifter cannot raise their arms above their shoulders.
- dance spin
- In ice dance, a spin done by both partners while holding each other. It's similar to a pair spin.
- death drop
- A type of flying entry into a spin.
- death spiral
- A move in pair skating. The lady skates on a deep edge very close to the ice. The man holds her arm while in a low position, and she skates in a circle around him.
- discipline
- A type of ice skating with its own rules. The Olympic disciplines are men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dance.
- double
- A jump with two full rotations (720 degrees) in the air. A double Axel has 2.5 rotations (900 degrees).
- downgraded
- When a jump is missing a half rotation or more. This means it gets a lower score.
- draw
- The process of choosing the starting order for skaters in a competition.
E
- element
- A specific move in a skating program. This includes spins, spirals, jumps, footwork, and lifts.
- eligible
- A skater who earns money only from competitions and shows approved by the ISU. Only eligible skaters can compete in the Olympics.
- edge
- This refers to a part of the skate blade or how a skater glides on it. There's an inside edge (towards the body) and an outside edge (away from the body). Skating on a "flat" (both edges at once) is not good.
- edge jump
- A jump that takes off from an edge of the blade. The main edge jumps are the Axel jump, loop jump, and Salchow jump.
- edge violation
- Performing a jump from the wrong edge. This results in a penalty.
- European Figure Skating Championships
- A big competition for skaters from European countries, organized by the ISU.
- exhibition
- A non-competition show, often held after a competition. The top skaters perform fun programs. Exhibitions can include moves not allowed in regular competitions.
- extension
- How a part of the body is held in a stretched-out position.
F
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A flying sit spin in mid-air
- fan spiral
- A spiral where the free leg is lifted and moved up and down in front of the body, like a Japanese fan opening and closing.
- flat
- Skating on both edges of the blade at the same time. This is usually not as good as skating on one edge.
- flight
- Also called a warm-up group. A group of skaters who warm up together before competing. The last flight in singles skating is usually the top six skaters from the short program.
- flip jump
- A toe jump that takes off from a back inside edge and lands on the back outside edge of the other foot.
- flood
- (verb) To resurface the ice with a machine, making it smooth again.
- flutz
- A common mistake when doing a Lutz jump. The skater accidentally takes off from an inside edge instead of an outside edge, making it look like a flip jump.
- flying spin
- A jump that lands directly into a spin position. Examples include flying camel spins and flying sit spins.
- forward spin
- A spin done on a back inside edge.
- free dance
- The second and final part of an ice dance competition. It's a creative dance program where the couple shows off their style to music they choose.
- free leg
- Also called free foot. This is the leg or foot that is not on the ice.
- free skating
- Also called free skate or free program. This is the second and longer program in singles and pairs competitions. It's sometimes called the long program.
- Four Continents Figure Skating Championships
- A big competition for skaters from countries outside of Europe, organized by the ISU.
- A series of edges, turns, and hops. It's often a required part of a program.
G
- Grade Of Execution
- Part of the ISU Judging System. It measures how well a skater performs each move in their program. A higher GOE means a better execution.
- Grand Prix
- A series of six international competitions. Skaters earn points to qualify for the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final.
H
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- haircutter
- A layback spin where the free leg is brought up to head level. It looks like the skate blade could cut the skater's hair. This often leads into a Biellmann spin.
- hollow
- The groove in the middle of a skate blade, between the inside and outside edges.
- hop
- A small jump that does not include any rotations.
- hydroblading
- A move where a skater glides on a deep edge with their body very low, almost flat to the ice. There are many ways to do this move.
I
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- ice coverage
- How much of the ice surface a skater uses. A skater who covers more ice while gliding or doing moves shows better skill.
- ice dance
- A skating style where two skaters, usually a male and female, perform a choreographed dance. Competitions have two parts: the rhythm dance and the free dance.
- Ina Bauer
- A two-footed move similar to a spread eagle. The skater glides on parallel blades, with one foot forward and the other backward on opposite edges.
- ineligible
- A skater who earns money from sources not approved by the ISU. These skaters are sometimes called "professional" and cannot compete in ISU events.
- inside edge
- The edge of a skate blade that faces towards the skater's body.
- I-spin
- An upright spin where the skater pulls their free leg straight up in front of their body, forming an 'I' shape.
- International Skating Union
- The main organization that governs ice skating sports worldwide.
- ISU Judging System
- The current scoring system used in competitions. It gives a total score based on how well technical moves are done and how artistic the program is. The highest score wins.
J
- jump
- A skating move where a skater pushes off the ice into the air. Most jumps in competition involve rotating in the air.
- jump combination
- Two or more jumps performed one right after the other, without any steps or turns in between. The toe loop or loop jump are often the last jumps in a combination.
- jump sequence
- Two or more jumps connected by turns or hops.
- Junior level
- A competition level below Senior level. Junior skaters compete in international events like the ISU Junior Grand Prix and the World Junior Figure Skating Championships.
- Junior Worlds
- An informal name for the World Junior Figure Skating Championships.
K
- Kilian hold
- Also called Killian position or side position. A dance hold in ice dance where the two skaters are side-by-side, facing the same direction. The man is slightly behind the lady.
- kiss and cry
- The area next to the ice rink at big competitions. Skaters wait here to see their scores after their performance.
L
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Layback spin with catchfoot
A leg wrap position in midair
- ladies
- The official term for female skaters in competitions.
- landing leg
- The leg a skater lands on after a jump. For most right-handed skaters, this is the right leg.
- lasso lift
- A type of pair lift where the man lifts the lady using a hand-to-hand grip.
- layback spin
- An upright spin where the skater arches their back and drops their head back. The free leg is bent behind, and arms are often stretched up.
- leg wrap
- A jump position where the free leg is held at a right angle to the landing leg, crossing it above the knee. It looks like it's "wrapped" around the other leg.
- level (judging)
- The difficulty assigned to a move in the ISU Judging System. Level 4 is the hardest.
- level (skating)
- The different skill divisions in competitions. International ISU competitions are at the Novice, Junior, Senior, and Adult levels.
- lift
- A move in pair skating and ice dance where one skater lifts their partner while rotating. Pair lifts go over the head, unlike dance lifts.
- lip
- A common mistake when doing a flip jump. The skater accidentally takes off from an outside edge instead of an inside edge, making it look like a Lutz jump.
- lobe
- The semicircle shape a skate blade makes on the ice.
- long program
- The unofficial name for the second and longer program in singles and pairs competitions. It's officially called the free skating.
- loop jump
- An edge jump that takes off from a back outside edge and lands on the back outside edge of the same foot.
- lunge
- A skating move where one leg is bent sharply at the knee. The other leg is stretched straight back with the boot or blade touching the ice.
- Lutz jump
- A toe jump that takes off from a back outside edge and lands on the back outside edge of the opposite foot.
M
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- mirror skating
- When two or more skaters perform moves that are reflections of each other. This is the opposite of unison skating.
- mohawk turn
- A two-footed turn on the same edge that continues along the same lobe.
- moves in the field
- These are basic skating skills like controlling your edges and doing turns. They help assess a skater's technical ability and determine their competition level.
- mule kick
- A takeoff for a toe jump (like a Lutz or flip) where the toe-picking leg is lifted too high or bent too much.
N
- Nationals
- A country's national championships. This is the highest competition at the national level, where national champions are decided.
- Novice level
- A competition level below Junior level. Novice skaters compete in some international events, but there are no World Championships for this level.
O
- open stroke
- An ice dance step that starts close to the skating foot. It does not cross in front or behind.
- ordinal
- In the old 6.0 system, this was a skater's rank given by a judge. The rank was more important than the exact score.
- original dance
- This used to be the second part of an ice dance competition. It was combined with the compulsory dance to create the short dance (now rhythm dance) in 2010.
- outside edge
- The edge of a skate blade that faces away from the skater's body.
- over-rotated
- A jump where the skater rotates too much in the air or doesn't stop the rotation properly when landing.
P
- pair lift
- A type of lift in pair skating where the lifter's arms are raised above their shoulders.
- pair spin
- A spin where two skaters rotate together around a single point while holding each other.
- pair skating
- Also called pairs. A skating style where two skaters (usually a male and female) perform lifts, twist lifts, throw jumps, and side-by-side spins and jumps. A pairs competition has a short program and a free skate.
- pancake spin
- A sit spin where the free leg is tucked over the other leg, and the upper body is bent over the leg.
- pattern dance
- Since 2010, this is the official name for the compulsory part of the rhythm dance in ice dance.
- pearl spin
- A layback spin where the free foot is pulled over the head, similar to a Biellmann spin, but the body stays laid back. Caroline Zhang first performed this spin.
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Pearl spin (Caroline Zhang)
- personal best
- The highest score a skater has ever earned in an ISU competition.
- pivot
- A two-footed move where one foot's toe pick is used as a pivot point. The other foot moves around it, like a compass drawing a circle.
- pop
- When a skater doesn't complete all the planned rotations in a jump. They "open up" too early in the air.
- positional jump
- A jump meant to show a specific body position in the air, like a stag leap or a split jump. These don't involve rotations for scoring.
- professional
- Skaters who are ineligible to compete in ISU events because they earn money from non-approved sources.
- program
- The set of skating moves performed to music by a skater within a set time limit. Most senior-level skaters perform two programs in ISU events.
- program components score
- Part of the ISU Judging System. It scores the artistic and performance aspects of a program, similar to "Artistic Impression" in the old system.
Q
- quadruple jump
- Also called a quad. A jump with four full rotations (1440 degrees) in the air. The Axel would need 4.5 rotations (1620 degrees) to be a quad.
R
- rhythm dance
- The first part of an ice dance competition. Teams perform a required pattern from a pattern dance and then their own choreography to a specific rhythm or theme set by the ISU each year.
- Rippon jump
- Any jump performed with both hands clasped above the head. This makes the jump harder. It's named after Adam Rippon.
- Rittberger
- Another name for the loop jump, named after Werner Rittberger who invented it.
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- rocker turn
- A one-foot turn where the skater enters and exits on the same edge. The turn changes the lobe but rotates inside the original circle.
- rotational jump
- A jump where the skater spins in the air and usually lands on one foot going backward. The main rotational jumps are the Axel, Salchow, loop, toe loop, flip, Lutz, and waltz jump.
- Russian split
- A type of split jump where the skater's legs and body form a 'V' shape in the air. Sometimes they even touch their toes.
S
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A basic sit spin in a shoot-the-duck position
Parallel spread eagles with the male on an inside edge and the female on an outside edge.
- Salchow jump
- An edge jump that takes off from a back inside edge and lands on the back outside edge of the opposite foot. Named after Ulrich Salchow.
- sanction
- Permission given by the ISU or a national skating body to hold a competition or show. Only eligible skaters can compete in sanctioned events.
- season's best
- A skater's highest score in an ISU competition during a specific season.
- segment
- A part of a figure skating competition where a specific program is performed. For example, the short program or free skate.
- Senior level
- The highest competition level, which includes Olympic-level events.
- sheep jump
- A jump where the skater jumps up and bends both legs backward, arching their back. It looks a bit like a sheep jumping.
- shoot-the-duck
- A skating position where the skater glides forward on one foot with the skating leg bent. The free leg is held forward, parallel to the ice. This is the basic position for a sit spin.
- short dance
- A program in ice dance that combined parts of the old compulsory dance and original dance. Its name changed to rhythm dance in 2018.
- short program
- The first and shorter program in singles and pairs competitions. It has specific moves that skaters must perform.
- shotgun spin
- An upright spin where the skater holds their free leg up towards the front of their body, but not in a full split. They hold the leg by the ankle or calf.
- side-by-side
- Moves in pair skating, like spins and jumps, that are done with both skaters next to each other. This is different from pair spins or throw jumps, which are done together as a team.
- signature move
- A special move that a skater is famous for and performs often, sometimes in a unique way.
- single skating
- Also called singles. A skating style where one skater performs alone. A singles competition has a short program and a free skate.
- sit spin
- A spin where the spinning leg is bent at the knee, and the free leg is stretched forward.
- Also called skating leg. This is the foot that is on the ice and supports the skater's body.
- skid spiral
- A spiral where the skater holds a position (like a Y- or I-spiral) and turns from forwards to backwards (or vice versa) using a skidded three turn.
- spin
- A rotation on the ice surface, done on the round part of the blade behind the toe pick. The three basic spins are the upright spin, sit spin, and camel spin.
- spin combination
- Two or more spin positions done quickly one after another. This can include changing feet or direction.
- spiral
- A move where a skater glides on an edge with their free leg extended at or above hip level. It's a required move for ladies' and pairs competitions.
- split
- A position where the legs are parallel and stretched in opposite directions, either horizontally or vertically.
- split jump
- A jump in the air where the skater achieves a split position, rather than focusing on rotations.
- split twist
- A twist lift where the lady performs a split with her legs before rotating in the air.
- spread eagle
- A move done with both feet on the ice. The blades are turned out with the heels pointing towards each other. It can be done on inside or outside edges.
- Sotnikova spin
- A catch-foot camel spin where the body is twisted upwards and the free leg is pulled over the side. Named after Adelina Sotnikova.
- stag leap
- A split jump where the front leg is bent under the body.
- step sequence
- A series of footwork and field moves done during a program. It can be in a circle, a straight line, or a wavy pattern.
- stroking
- A way of moving across the ice and gaining speed by using the edges of the blades.
- swizzle
- Also called fishes or lemons. A way to move on two feet by pushing them out and pulling them together, making an oval shape on the ice.
- synchronized skating
- A skating style where groups of skaters perform together as one team.
T
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- tano jump
- A jump where one arm is extended overhead instead of folded at the chest. This makes the jump harder. It's named after Brian Boitano.
- technical elements score
- Part of the ISU Judging System. It scores how well the technical moves (like jumps and spins) are performed.
- throw jump
- A move in pair skating where one skater throws their partner into the air. The partner then completes a normal jump. These jumps are usually higher and more powerful.
- toe loop jump
- A toe jump that takes off from a back outside edge and lands on the back outside edge of the same foot.
- toe jump
- Also called toe-assisted jump. A jump that uses the toe pick to help with takeoff. The main toe jumps are the toe loop, flip, and Lutz.
- toe pick
- The teeth at the front of a skate blade. They help skaters with jumps and spins.
- transition
- A movement that connects one skating move to the next.
- traveling
- A spin that moves across the ice instead of staying in one spot. The opposite of centered.
- triple jump
- A jump with three full rotations (1080 degrees) in the air. A triple Axel has 3.5 rotations (1260 degrees).
- two-footed landing
- When a skater lands a jump with both feet touching the ice. A correct landing is on one foot.
- twizzle
- A quick, multi-rotation turn on one foot while moving forward or backward.
U
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- under-rotated
- A jump that is missing more than a quarter, but less than half, of a full rotation. This means it gets a lower score.
- unison skating
- When two or more skaters perform the exact same moves at the same time. This is the opposite of mirror skating.
- upright spin
- One of the three basic spin positions, where the skater spins in an upright position.
W
- Walley jump
- A jump with one or two rotations that takes off from a backward inside edge. Named after Nate Walley.
- waltz jump
- Also called a three jump. A jump with a 180-degree rotation. It's one of the first jumps skaters learn.
- World Figure Skating Championships
- A major ISU competition where skaters compete for the title of World Champion.
- World Junior Figure Skating Championships
- A major ISU competition for junior age-eligible skaters who compete for the title of World Junior Champion.
- World Juniors
- An informal name for the World Junior Figure Skating Championships.
- Worlds
- An informal name for the World Figure Skating Championships.
- World Standings
- A ranking system for skaters based on their international results over the past three seasons.
Y
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- Y-spin
- An upright spin where the free leg is pulled up into a vertical split towards the side of the body, forming a 'Y' shape.
- Y-spiral
- A spiral where the free leg is held up in a vertical split towards the side of the body, creating a 'Y' shape.
- Yuna spin
- A camel spin where the body is twisted upwards and the free leg is bent. Named after Olympic champion Yuna Kim who often did this move.
Z
- Zayak rule
- A rule that limits how many times a skater can do the same multi-rotation jump in a program. It was created after Elaine Zayak gained an advantage by repeating certain jumps. The rule now says that out of all triple and quadruple jumps, only two can be done twice, and only one of those can be a quadruple jump.
- Zagitova rule
- A rule that limits the bonus points skaters get for doing jumps in the second half of their program. It was adopted after Alina Zagitova performed all her jumps in the second half of her free program at the 2018 Winter Olympics, helping her win.
Images for kids
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A male ice dancer achieves a deep outside edge while performing a lift.
