One of the most aesthetic sports is figure skating. Elements of it consist of various combinations of jumps, pirouettes, paired supports, spins, step paths. Movements are performed with musical accompaniment.
The origins of this incredibly elegant sport lie in the distant past. However, its allocation as the main winter sport is associated with the appearance of iron skates. Initially, it was a contest in which various static figures were performed in beautiful poses.
Skates
Skates are the main attribute of the skater. Their blade has an inner and outer rib. The only difficulty for the layman is the difference in movements between them. When an athlete performs an arc, it may visually appear that his body is perpendicular to the ice. However, if you follow carefully, the skater deviates a little when performing this action.
Skates have certain features. In the front part there are special teeth for performing complex figures. The blade is different in width and length. In addition, it can be made of various types of steel. Its curvature provides easy gliding. Depending on the angle of inclination, the contact with the surface changes. This enables the athlete to perform steps as an indispensable element of figure skating, as well as other pirouettes.
The main figures of winter sport
Elements are usually divided into several groups. The steps are for basic shapes. Almost any transition from the outer or inner rib is evaluated as an action. In the main programs, they are present as tracks and connecting parts. Judges pay special attention to technicality, literacy and beauty of performance.
Rotations can be:
- simple (back or forward);
- pair and dance;
- combined;
- with a change of foot.
Basically, judges evaluate speed, centering (rotation around its axis), number of revolutions and clarity of position. For couples, the execution of the action is mainly synchronous.
Both the skaters in pairs and the athletes in singles perform jumps. Assessing the jumps, the jury members analyze figure skating, the elements of which should be beautiful and spectacular also in terms of the correct execution technique, the height of the jump and the accuracy of the touchdown. Women's program consists of double and triple sheepskin coats. The standard for men is the triple axel and the cascade of jumps.
Doubles and Singles
In singles, the participant demonstrates the skills of mastering the main figures: rotations, spirals, jumps, steps. The level of the athlete depends on the effectiveness and complexity of the execution. The evaluation criteria are:
- artistry;
- movement to the beat of the music;
- aesthetics;
- clarity and technical performance of elements;
- plastic.
Pair figure skating, the elements of which are performed mainly synchronously, for this reason create the impression of a single action. They consist of traditional jumps, spirals, steps, as well as the main characteristic components:
- supports;
- emissions;
- todesov;
- parallel and joint rotations.
Synchronization of actions is the main evaluation criterion for the jury.
Dancing on Ice
From a technical point of view, in ice dancing, special attention is paid to steps and positions. Partners must perform any movements synchronously. Compared to the doubles, there are no outbursts, jumps and other figures.
The beautiful appearance of the participants and the smoothness of action are one of the main components of sports dancing. An important role is played by musical accompaniment and the selection of elegant outfits for each competitive program. Therefore, many viewers prefer this sport. The main performance program includes 3 dances and a pair of figure skating element - support.
Skating Synchronized
The group of participants in synchronized skating consists of 16-20 skaters. Technique, gliding and action are no different from classic competition. However, there are certain specifics. As a rule, changes are made to the performance of some figures.
The main goal of team performance is to synchronize actions. Obligatory figures of synchronized skating are: intersection, wheel, line, blocks and circle. In order to avoid injuries, jumping more than 1 revolution, spiraling back is prohibited.
Teams must complete a complex sequence of steps. Figure skating, the elements of which consist of many turns and actions performed by a large group of athletes, looks even more spectacular. Athletes of older age groups are allowed to perform the lifts of two or more participants. In the senior and lower ranks, short and arbitrary programs are conducted.
The main types of steps in figure skating
- Christmas tree. This step was named because it leaves a mark on the ice, resembling a Christmas tree. Athletes use this type of action to gain speed and move to the execution of another figure.
- Hooking. In the sweep, the main movements are performed in a circle. It can be back, external and internal. Most often, skaters use the front sweep to turn in the corner of the ice rink. These are one of the simple steps used for “working” purposes.
- Steps based on making a turn called a troika. An athlete, performing it on ice, leaves a mark in the form of the Arabic numeral 3. One of the most common figures is as follows: a participant performs front gliding on the outer edge of his left leg and turns sharply 180 degrees. After that, he moves back on the inside of the ridge blade.
Professional athletes can perform various steps and elements of figure skating. Names of elements: bracket, hook and hook, fly and choktau.
Spirals
A spiral is a position when one leg touches the ice with the ridge, that is, it is the supporting one, and the free leg rises above the thigh level at various angles. The positions of the spiral are classified according to the moving leg (right or left), the ridge edge (external or internal), the direction of sliding (back or forward) and the position of the free leg (forward, side or back). The spiral counts if the position is held for at least 3 seconds. There are 4 levels of difficulty when making spirals.
Consider some types of spirals.
- A boat is a slip on both legs, used as a bonding piece. Previously, such an element was often used by Victoria Volchkova and the famous dance couple Roman Kostomarov and Tatyana Navka. One of the types of boat differs in that the legs are parallel to each other, and the emphasis is on the inner edge of the ridge. The athlete will move in a straight line or around his axis.
- Swallow. The athlete, performing a slide, raises his free leg as high as possible to such a level that a right angle is obtained. Depending on the rib of the ridge on which the slide is performed, the spirals can be external, internal, rear and front.
- Corner - a version of the back and front sweep. For example, performing a glide on the inner edge of the ridge, the skater sits down a bit, lowering the body and taking his free leg out. Spirals are also included in the basic elements of female figure skating.
Spins
The most common rotation option is a cog. In the beginning, the skater needs to bend his leg, and connect his hands together at chest level. Then the athlete gradually lowers his leg and straightens. The effect is created due to the general dynamics of actions and speed of execution. There is another option, where the free part is taken out for the supporting leg.
The spinning top is the most popular rotation in the sitting position. The supporting leg bends, and the free leg extends parallel to the ice sheet. There are several versions of this part.
The swallow is performed by the skater on the supporting leg with outstretched arms. Another variety is the Libel - a circular motion with an inclination forward and backward rise.
Tack - an indispensable element of female figure skating. When this element is performed, the athlete bends, and her free leg is pulled back and turned out.
Jumping
In this sport, it is customary to separate the tooth and rib jumps. Thus, the skater is repelled from the toe (prong) or rib of the ridge. Currently, athletes perform the following 6 types of jumps: flip, lutz, rittberger, salchow, sheepskin coat, axel.
Axel is an indispensable element of pair skating. It is performed with a variable leg forward movement. The jump can be single, double and triple.
Salchow is performed with a variable leg. Most often, skaters use several triple approaches. In another situation, you can apply the overstepping when the right leg follows forward, and the left leg backwards. The transition to the jogging arc is more spectacular and dynamic.
A sheepskin coat is one of the varieties of jumps. The athlete begins to perform it with his right leg in three turns (as if writing out the number 3). As a result, he must return to the starting position.
Skaters start the rittberger, from the outside of the right leg. Athletes easily perform this simple element. The jump is similar to the axel in the repulsion method.
A flip is a jagged jump, starting with a characteristic hit of the right foot on an ice sheet. It is performed from the inner edge of the left leg, and landing is carried out on the right.
Lutz is one of the hardest jumps. The average person may confuse with the flip, but these two elements have a significant difference: the Lutz jump from the outer edge, before these go into a long arc.
Elements of figure skating for beginners: track steps, front and rear spiral, axel in two turns.
Figure skating is one of the few sports that fosters a person's sense of confidence, the desire for struggle and spiritual beauty.