USFS Well Balanced program is designed for the competitve skater who is on the track toward Regionals and qualifying competitons.  The skatng standard is typically far above the current test levels .  Skaters who choose to compete in this more aggressive track may decide not to test USFS Freestyle tests to maintain age and level eligibility for qualifying events.  All skaters interested in pursuing a Well-Balanced aproach to their skating career should know that this typically requires a significant commitment in time, to develop your skills to a competitive level. We can travel to all portions of the country to attend USFSA events! Interested skaters and their families should reach out  our Well Balanced Director - Coach Alexei Mantsorov, for further information.

Showcase brings together creativity, inspiration, drama and figure skating to form a unique series where skaters can demonstrate their skills in the categories of light entertainment, dramatic entertainment and interpretive. Top skaters in individual showcase events are invited to participate in the National Showcase.

Singles skaters of all ages and levels can participate in showcase in the following categories:

    Emotional Performance

    Choreographic Artistry (Juvenile - Senior, Adult Masters only)

    Lyrical Pop

    Character Performance

    Comedic Impressions

    Interpretive

Descriptions of each category and rules regarding props can be found in the Showcase Guidelines.  Interested Skaters and their families can get more info from our Showcase Director, Coach Irene Harm.

Excel is an opportunity for skaters to continue testing and develop their skills while showcasing their strengths at events. Available at nonqualifying competitions, including designated Excel Series competitions, Excel programs consist of required elements different from the standard track to help boost skaters’ strengths. With 10 levels from beginner to senior, Excel offers skaters of all levels the chance to participate.

At the Excel preliminary plus, pre-juvenile plus, juvenile plus, intermediate plus, novice, junior and senior levels, the top six skaters per section will earn an invitation to compete in the Excel Series Final. Skaters at the excel beginner through intermediate levels receive an open invitation to compete in the final.

 Interested Skaters and their families can get more info from our Excel Program Director, Coach Yoyo Ma.

Stroking

Create a harmony of work between the joints, knees, hips and ankles to produce more power on the ice, but use less energy. Combinations of different exercises give skaters the ability to train their body to work efficiently with the

ability to change speed and at the same time deliver enough power for successful execution of elements. 

Edge

This class produces smooth skating and clean elements.  Class exercises help to develop balance and control by using the simple moves executed on a higher level of skating. All the elements of the class help develop a solid base for multi revolution jumps.

A powerful tool in the development of a "well-rounded" athlete, focusing on the development of core muscle groups, cardio health, and stamina.

This class is designed with specific exercises which serve to protect the figure skater on and off the ice. The focus is to create power, strength, flexibility, endurance, quickness and advanced coordination needed for the entire body. 

Basic Skills through Pre-Preliminary level:

Jump class is designed to introduce the basic technique of the jump; jump with rotation, combination of jumps, and combination of jumps with rotation. The class will teach the body to balance every step of the jump: entry, air position, and exits. The class includes exercises to prevent

injuries of ankles and knees by developing strength into these areas. At the same time it will increase the height, durability and power of the jump.

Preliminary through Senior level:

Skaters in the class will learn the process of increasing the difficulty of the jump. Students learn the elements of jumps in their tennis shoes before transferring them to the ice.

Yoga/Stretch is a class designed with the athlete in mind. This class incorporates Yin Yoga, where poses are held for extended periods of time in order to manipulate the fascia. This allows the muscles to be stretched appropriately. These deep stretches enable the skaters to achieve advanced forms of flexibility on the ice, as well as bringing awareness to their bodies.  

Breath work is also incorporated in order to calm down the mind and body, connecting them as a cohesive unit, and teaching the skaters ways to calm their nerves and their minds during stress induced situations (i.e. competitions and test sessions).  

This is an all ages and all levels class, as poses are taught within the range of what each skater can currently achieve, and appropriately advancing to the next stage of flexibility. Each body is different, but each body has great abilities. 

Jump on-ice: 

Jump class will introduce and teach a technique which will provide the transition from one to two and from two to three revolutions jump. It will provide instructions for the best execution of four phases of jump: preparation, takeoff, rotation (flight), landing.

Spin

Spin class will teach a technique of the spin to make its value/points to go from base to excellent. The base value of each element is 0. The spin class will provide step by step instructions how to bring the value of the spin to 3, which is the highest/excellent value.

Basic Skills through Pre-Preliminary: An introduction into the multi-task instruction of skating which will lead to advanced combinations of single steps already learned.

Exercises which increase speed and power are used. Work as a group to widen the base of skating elements. The group aspect develops the perspective of figure skating for the younger student. Younger kids will follow the lead of

the older kids.

Preliminary through Senior level: Enhance and learn different positions of entrances and the combination of different elements. Execution of jumps in both directions.

Learn appropriate technique of the entry and exit from the main elements (spins and jumps). Introduction to the elements which are required by the new rules of the ISU and the USFSA. This is a challenging and dynamic class.