United States Figure Skating (USFS) Levels / Requirements
Pre-Preliminary Free Skate Test (PPF)
The purpose of this test is to encourage beginning skaters to learn the fundamentals of free skating. No great deal of technical ability, carriage or flow is expected. The candidate must show knowledge of the elements, fairly good edges and some evidence of good form. The skater shall successfully complete the following required elements:
Jumps
The purpose of this test is to encourage beginning skaters to learn the fundamentals of free skating. No great deal of technical ability, carriage or flow is expected. The candidate must show knowledge of the elements, fairly good edges and some evidence of good form. The skater shall successfully complete the following required elements:
Jumps
- Waltz jump
- Salchow
- Toe loop
- 1/2 flip - land on either foot
- 1/2 Lutz - land on either foot
- One-foot spin (minimum 3 revolutions) optional free leg position toward knee level
Preliminary Free Skate Test (PF)
The purpose of this test is to continue the encouragement of beginning skaters to learn the fundamentals of free skating. The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of the elements and a good sense of power (speed/flow). A relationship with the music should be attempted in the program. The following elements are required:
Jumps
The purpose of this test is to continue the encouragement of beginning skaters to learn the fundamentals of free skating. The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of the elements and a good sense of power (speed/flow). A relationship with the music should be attempted in the program. The following elements are required:
Jumps
- Waltz jump
- Salchow
- Loop
- Flip
- One jump combination - Waltz jump, toe loop (no turn or change of foot between jumps)
- One-foot upright spin, optional free foot (3 revolutions)
- One-foot backspin - entry optional (3 revolutions)
- Sit spin - in recognizable sit position (3 revolutions)
- Connecting moves and steps should be demonstrated throughout the program
Pre-Juvenile Free Skate Test (PJF)
The fundamentals of free skating must be demonstrated, although not necessarily mastered. Good edges, flow, power, extension and posture are required for all of the elements of free skating (jumps, spins, as well as connecting moves). The program should utilize the ice surface and demonstrate some relationship with the music. The following elements are required:
Jumps
The fundamentals of free skating must be demonstrated, although not necessarily mastered. Good edges, flow, power, extension and posture are required for all of the elements of free skating (jumps, spins, as well as connecting moves). The program should utilize the ice surface and demonstrate some relationship with the music. The following elements are required:
Jumps
- Loop
- Flip
- Lutz
- One jump combination - choice of above with a loop jump (no turn or change of foot between jumps). The loop jump must be the second jump.
- One camel spin (minimum 3 revolutions)
- One combination spin: camel spin to sit spin. No change of foot (minimum 6 revolutions in positions)
- Front scratch to back scratch - exit on spinning foot (minimum 4 revolutions on each foot)
- Connecting moves and steps should be demonstrated throughout the program
Juvenile Free Skate Test (JF)
The candidate must skate the selected elements (jumps, spins, as well as connecting steps) on good edges, with good form, flow, power and preciseness. The candidate must also skate to the music and utilize the ice surface. The following elements are required:
Jumps
The candidate must skate the selected elements (jumps, spins, as well as connecting steps) on good edges, with good form, flow, power and preciseness. The candidate must also skate to the music and utilize the ice surface. The following elements are required:
Jumps
- Three different single jumps, one of which must be an Axel
- One jump from the following: Split jump, stag jump, falling leaf, half loop jump
- One jump combination consisting of two single jumps (no turn or change of foot between jumps)
- Forward sit spin (minimum 4 revolutions in position)
- Ladies: Layback or attitude spin (minimum 4 revolutions in position). Men: Forward camel spin (minimum 4 revolutions in position)
- One spin with one change of foot, change of position optional (minimum 4 revolutions each foot). Must include one of the following positions: camel, sit or attitude.
- Connecting moves consisting of spirals, strong edges etc. should be demonstrated throughout the program
Intermediate Free Skate Test (IF)
Strong, smooth edges and turns, combined with correct posture and effortless flow, utilizing the music and the ice surface are expected of the candidate in all types of free skating elements (jumps, spins, as well as connecting steps). The following elements are required:
Jumps
Strong, smooth edges and turns, combined with correct posture and effortless flow, utilizing the music and the ice surface are expected of the candidate in all types of free skating elements (jumps, spins, as well as connecting steps). The following elements are required:
Jumps
- Single loop, flip and Lutz
- Axel
- One double jump: double Salchow, double toe loop, or double toe Walley
- One jump combination consisting of two single jumps (no turn or change of foot between jumps)
- One jump combination consisting of either one single and one double jump or consisting of two double jumps (no turn or change of foot between jumps)
- Sit spin to change foot sit spin (minimum 4 revolutions on each foot in position)
- Flying camel spin (minimum 5 revolutions in position)
- Spin combination consisting of one change of foot and one change of position (minimum 4 revolutions on each foot)
- Connecting moves consisting of spirals, spread eagles, etc., should be demonstrated throughout the program
Novice Free Skate Test (NF)
The candidate must give a performance that is generally good. The preciseness of the footwork should be nearly faultless; body motions well timed with the music, and the flow and power very good in all free skating elements (jumps, spins, as well as connecting steps). The program should fully utilize the ice surface and no major or consistent errors should be in evidence. The following elements are required:
Jumps
The candidate must give a performance that is generally good. The preciseness of the footwork should be nearly faultless; body motions well timed with the music, and the flow and power very good in all free skating elements (jumps, spins, as well as connecting steps). The program should fully utilize the ice surface and no major or consistent errors should be in evidence. The following elements are required:
Jumps
- Double Salchow
- Double toe loop
- Double loop
- One jump combination consisting of two double jumps (no turn or change of foot between jumps)
- Choice of camel spin, sit spin or layback spin (minimum 6 revolutions in position)
- Camel spin to backward camel spin (minimum 4 revolutions on each foot in position)
- Spin combination consisting of one change of foot and one change of position (minimum 5 revolutions on each foot)
- One straight-line step sequence consisting of steps and turns in the field such as threes, brackets, spirals and spread eagles, etc.
- Connecting moves and steps should be demonstrated throughout the program
Junior Free Skate Test (JRF)
The candidate must give a performance that is generally very good in all respects. Focus should be on power, flow, edge quality, line and footwork control. The program should demonstrate a good, harmonious composition that is skated to the music with rhythm and expression, while utilizing the full ice surface. The following elements are required:
Jumps
The candidate must give a performance that is generally very good in all respects. Focus should be on power, flow, edge quality, line and footwork control. The program should demonstrate a good, harmonious composition that is skated to the music with rhythm and expression, while utilizing the full ice surface. The following elements are required:
Jumps
- At least three different double jumps, one of which must be a double flip
- One jump combination consisting of two double jumps (no turn or change of foot between jumps)
- One jump sequence consisting of small jumps, followed by any double jump
- Flying sit spin or flying change (reverse) sit spin (minimum 6 revolutions in position)
- Layback or crossfoot spin (minimum 6 revolutions in position)
- Spin combination consisting of three positions and one change of foot (minimum 5 revolutions on each foot)
- One circular step sequence of advanced difficulty, covering the ice surface, consisting of steps and turns in the field such as spread eagles, spiral combinations, three turns, brackets, etc.
- Connecting moves and steps should be demonstrated throughout the program
Senior Free Skate Test (SRF)
The candidate must give an excellent performance displaying power, strong edge control and depth, extension and precise footwork control in all aspects of the selected elements. The program should fully utilize the ice surface, have a change of pace and superbly express the mood and rhythm of music. Harmonious steps and connecting movements in time to the music should be maintained throughout the program. The following elements are required:
Jumps
The candidate must give an excellent performance displaying power, strong edge control and depth, extension and precise footwork control in all aspects of the selected elements. The program should fully utilize the ice surface, have a change of pace and superbly express the mood and rhythm of music. Harmonious steps and connecting movements in time to the music should be maintained throughout the program. The following elements are required:
Jumps
- At least four different double or triple jumps, one of which must be a double Lutz. If the skater elects to perform triple jumps, only one may be repeated in combinations or jump sequences.
- Two different jump combinations consisting of two double jumps or a double and a triple jump (no turn or change of foot between jumps)
- At least four different spins (solo spins must be minimum 6 revolutions in position)
- One must be a flying spin
- One must be a spin combination consisting of at least two positions and at least one change of foot (minimum 10 total revolutions)
- One serpentine step sequence of very advanced difficulty with complex sequences of turns in the field that cover the entire ice surface and include counters and rockers
- Connecting moves and steps should be demonstrated throughout the program