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Patinage Artistique

Tests

From first steps to top-level skating: the FFSG federal tests

Throughout the season, the French Ice Sports Federation (FFSG) offers skaters tests that measure their progress, from the first coloured skates all the way to national skates. Discover the full structure of the programme.

Initiation tests

The initiation tests now consist of:

  • 3 coloured skates
  • 8 blades

They are common to figure skating and ice dance.

The coloured skates

Each exercise of the coloured skates comes with its goal: "I can…".

Green Skate

  1. 1

    I sit down and stand up

    β‡’ I can get up when I fall.

  2. 2

    I move by stepping

    β‡’ I can move on the ice by stepping.

  3. 3

    I go and fetch an object and bring it back

    β‡’ I can move while holding an object.

Blue Skate

  1. 1

    I move forward on my own

    β‡’ I can move forward on my own.

  2. 2

    I carry an object from one place to another

    β‡’ I can carry an object from one place to another.

  3. 3

    I go under an obstacle

    β‡’ I can go under an obstacle.

  4. 4

    I go between 2 objects with my feet together

    β‡’ I can move between 2 obstacles while keeping my feet together.

Red Skate

  1. 1

    I cross the width of the ice rink

    β‡’ I can cross the width of the rink skating forward.

  2. 2

    I do the scooter

    β‡’ I can push off with the toe pick.

  3. 3

    I walk around a circle or another object

    β‡’ I can move around a circle.

  4. 4

    I step over an object

    β‡’ I can step over an object.

  5. 5

    I move backwards with the help of a fellow skater or by pushing off the boards

    β‡’ I can move backwards.

The blades

The eight blades follow on from the coloured skates. Each exercise is described by its action and its goal "I can…".

1st blade
  1. 1.

    There and back while moving forward. There: walk forward then glide standing on 2 feet. Back: walk forward then glide on 2 feet in a crouched position

    β‡’ I can move on the ice while gliding and bending down.

  2. 2.

    Sequence of forward lemons

    β‡’ I can do lemons.

  3. 3.

    Standing snowplough

    β‡’ I can stop by dragging a blade.

  4. 4.

    Rotation on 2 feet while stepping

    β‡’ I can turn around.

  5. 5.

    Small jump in place

    β‡’ I can do a small jump.

2nd blade
  1. 1.

    There: forward movement in a slalom, hands on hips or waist, with a snowplough stop. Back: backward movement lifting the feet

    β‡’ I can link turns together and stop. I can move backwards while gliding.

  2. 2.

    Sequence of backward lemons

    β‡’ I can do backward lemons.

  3. 3.

    Sequence of forward outside spread-foot glides (at least 4) around a circle in one direction then the other

    β‡’ I can do spread-foot glides around a circle, in one direction then the other.

  4. 4.

    Turn from forward to backward

    β‡’ I can turn from forward to backward.

  5. 5.

    A stork on each foot for at least 3 seconds while holding my arms

    β‡’ I can glide on a single foot forward for 3 seconds.

  6. 6.

    Small jump forward or backward with take-off and landing on 2 feet

    β‡’ I can do a small jump while gliding.

3rd blade
  1. 1.

    There: forward movement with edge pushes. Back: backward movement with edge pushes, stop by dragging the blade

    β‡’ I can glide forward and backward by pushing with my edges and bringing my feet together. And I can stop going backward.

  2. 2.

    Sequence of forward crossovers or chases around a circle in one direction then the other (at least 4 crossovers per circle)

    β‡’ I can do forward crossovers or chases around a circle, in one direction then the other.

  3. 3.

    Sequence of forward outside spread-foot glides skated on lobes with arm holds

    β‡’ I can skate on forward lobes while doing spread-foot glides.

  4. 4.

    Sequence of backward spread-foot glides (at least 4) around a circle in one direction then the other, with arm holds or simple arm support

    β‡’ I can do 4 backward spread-foot glides around a circle, in one direction then the other.

  5. 5.

    A backward stork on each foot for at least 3 seconds while holding my arms

    β‡’ I can glide on a single foot backward for 3 seconds.

  6. 6.

    Forward lunge or one-knee glide with arm hold then curtsey (girls) or bow (boys)

    β‡’ I can do a lunge or a glide and bow.

4th blade
  1. 1.

    Sequence of forward chassΓ©s around a circle, ending with a forward outside held for at least 3 seconds, with arm holds (or arm support), in one direction then the other

    β‡’ I can do forward chassΓ©s around a circle, lifting my free foot correctly and skating the right edges.

  2. 2.

    Gliding turn on 2 feet from forward to backward in a curve

    β‡’ I can turn from forward to backward while gliding.

  3. 3.

    Gliding turn on 2 feet from backward to forward

    β‡’ I can turn from backward to forward while gliding.

  4. 4.

    Jump of a half turn, with take-off and landing on 2 feet while gliding

    β‡’ I can do a half-turn jump while gliding.

  5. 5.

    Solo spin of at least 2 rotations on 2 feet

    β‡’ I can do a spin of 2 complete rotations on 2 feet.

  6. 6.

    Sequence of backward crossovers around a circle

    β‡’ I can do backward crossovers around a circle, in both directions.

5th blade
  1. 1.

    To music: sequence of a chassΓ© followed by a crossover (or chase) forward around a circle in one direction then the other, ending with an exit with arm and head positions

    β‡’ I can skate to the rhythm and link different steps around a circle.

  2. 2.

    To music: sequence of backward chassΓ©s skated around a circle in one direction then the other, ending with a long backward outside edge with arm hold

    β‡’ I can do backward chassΓ©s around a circle, lifting my free foot correctly and skating the right edges. I can skate a long backward outside exit edge without losing my balance or the edge.

  3. 3.

    Forward arabesque on the edge held for at least 3 seconds with arm hold

    β‡’ I can hold an arabesque on the edge for at least 3 seconds while moving my arms.

  4. 4.

    1 forward outside three turn on one foot, starting from a standstill, holding the exit edge, in one direction then the other

    β‡’ I can do a three turn in both directions while holding the exit edge.

  5. 5.

    2 giant steps ending with a parallel stop or a stop on one edge (complete stop)

    β‡’ I can do giant steps and stop completely.

  6. 6.

    1 waltz jump

    β‡’ I can do a waltz jump.

6th blade
  1. 1.

    To music, length 1: sequence of 4 lobes each made of a forward outside chassΓ©/balance, skated alternately on one foot then the other

    β‡’ I can skate to music and link different steps on correct forward edges in lobes.

  2. 2.

    To music, length 2: sequence of 4 lobes each made of backward chassΓ©s or chases / backward outside edges, skated alternately on one foot then the other, ending with a backward inside stop or an exit with arm hold

    β‡’ I can skate to music and link different steps on correct backward edges in lobes.

  3. 3.

    Edge attitude (on one foot, spread eagle, INA lunge…)

    β‡’ I can do an edge attitude on one or two feet.

  4. 4.

    Spin of at least 2 rotations on one foot

    β‡’ I can do a 2-rotation spin on one foot.

  5. 5.

    A half flip

    β‡’ I can do a half flip.

7th blade
  1. 1.

    To music: sequence of crossovers or chases followed by a forward inside edge, skated in alternating lobes (at least 2 lobes) ending with an exit with arm hold

    β‡’ I can link, to music, forward crossovers or chases followed by an inside edge.

  2. 2.

    Edge attitude on each foot (except the arabesque) with the free leg held above horizontal for at least 3 seconds

    β‡’ I can hold an edge attitude above horizontal (except the arabesque) for at least 3 seconds on each foot.

  3. 3.

    Sequence of forward cross rolls

    β‡’ I can do forward cross rolls.

  4. 4.

    A coffee grinder forward or backward

    β‡’ I can do a coffee grinder.

  5. 5.

    Solo spin of 3 rotations on one foot with an exit on one foot

    β‡’ I can do a 3-rotation spin on one foot and finish with an exit.

  6. 6.

    Three-jump on each foot

    β‡’ I can do a three jump on each foot.

8th blade
  1. 1.

    Sequence of at least 2 forward outside three turns ending with an exit with arm hold

    β‡’ I can do waltz steps on the edge while bringing my feet together, and finish with an exit with arm hold.

  2. 2.

    Sequence of 4 forward outside lobes then 4 forward inside lobes skated along a marked line (there and back)

    β‡’ I can do forward inside and outside edges along a marked line.

  3. 3.

    Performance of an open inside mohawk with a glided exit on one foot then the other

    β‡’ I can do an open inside mohawk with good free-foot positioning, clear edges and a glided exit.

  4. 4.

    Sequence of at least 2 lobes each made of a backward crossover followed by a backward outside edge with arm hold

    β‡’ I can do backward crossovers in lobes with clear edges.

  5. 5.

    Standing spin started from a backward outside edge with at least 2 rotations on one foot

    β‡’ I can do a backward outside spin of 2 complete rotations on one foot.

  6. 6.

    One rotation jump (skater's choice)

    β‡’ I can do a one-rotation jump.

The steel skate

The 5th blade is a prerequisite for the steel skate. Performance of:

  • Forward outside lobes
  • Backward outside lobes
  • Forward inside lobes
  • Backward inside lobes
  • Figure-eight crossovers forward then backward, then a turn and a stop of your choice
  • From a standstill, 3 waltz steps to the left
  • From a standstill, 3 waltz steps to the right
  • A right or left forward outside arabesque
  • A waltz jump
  • A standing spin (on two feet or one foot) of at least 4 rotations

The 4 lobes are performed while moving and not along a marked line.

Club tests

These tests are intended for skaters holding a valid FFSG competition licence in figure skating and who have passed the initiation tests (blades, steel skate). There are ten club tests, from PN 1 to PN 10.

National skates (PN)

1 PN 1

Jumps

2 attempts allowed
  • Salchow
  • Toe loop

Spin

2 attempts allowed
  • Standing spin on one foot (at least four rotations)

Turn

Only one turn will be requested, announced or drawn by lot by the judge:
  • Forward outside three, left
  • Forward outside three, right
  • Forward inside three, left
  • Forward inside three, right

Attitude

  • Left or right forward outside arabesque (skater's choice)
2 PN 2

Jump

2 attempts allowed
  • A loop jump

Combination

2 attempts allowed
  • Salchow – toe loop

Spin

2 attempts allowed
  • Standing backward outside spin on one foot (at least three rotations)

Turn

Only one turn will be requested, announced or drawn by lot by the judge:
  • Forward outside mohawk, left
  • Forward outside mohawk, right
  • Forward inside mohawk, left
  • Forward inside mohawk, right

Attitude

Skater's choice
  • Left or right foot-to-hand arabesque (window) (knee or boot tolerated)
3 PN 3

Jump

2 attempts allowed
  • Flip

Combination

2 attempts allowed
  • Waltz jump – loop jump

Spins

2 attempts allowed
  • Standing spin with change of foot (at least four rotations on each foot)
  • Sit spin (at least three rotations)

Turn

Only one turn will be requested, announced or drawn by lot by the judge:
  • Backward outside three, left
  • Backward outside three, right
  • Backward inside three, left
  • Backward inside three, right

Attitude

  • Camel (single position)
4 PN 4

Jump

2 attempts allowed
  • Lutz

Combinations

2 attempts allowed
  • Loop jump – loop jump
  • Flip – toe loop

Spins

2 attempts allowed
  • Layback spin (at least three rotations)
  • Sit layback spin (at least two rotations for the first position)

Turn

Only one turn will be requested, announced or drawn by lot by the judge:
  • Forward outside double three, left
  • Forward outside double three, right
  • Forward inside double three, left
  • Forward inside double three, right

Attitude

  • Inside "Giletti" (swan)
5 PN 5

Jump

2 attempts allowed
  • Axel

Combination of three single jumps

2 attempts allowed
  • Lutz – toe loop – loop

Spins

2 attempts allowed
  • Sit spin with change of foot to sit spin (at least four rotations on each foot)
  • Layback, sit, change of foot to sit spin (at least three rotations on the first position and four rotations after the change of foot)

Turn

Only one turn will be requested, announced or drawn by lot by the judge:
  • Backward outside double three, left
  • Backward outside double three, right
  • Backward inside double three, left
  • Backward inside double three, right

Attitude

Skater's choice
  • Royal arabesque forward outside or forward inside
6 PN 6

Jump

2 attempts allowed
  • Double salchow

Combination

2 attempts allowed
  • Axel – loop jump

Spins

2 attempts allowed
  • Layback spin (at least five rotations)
  • Combination spin with a change of foot and at least one change of position on each foot (four rotations + four rotations)

Turn

Only one turn will be requested, announced or drawn by lot by the judge:
  • Forward outside bracket, left
  • Forward outside bracket, right
  • Forward inside bracket, left
  • Forward inside bracket, right

Attitude

  • Backward coffee grinder in a curve
7 PN 7

Jump

2 attempts allowed
  • Double toe loop

Combination

2 attempts allowed
  • A single or double jump necessarily including a double salchow

Spins

2 attempts allowed
  • Girls: flying sit spin (at least six rotations); layback spin (at least six rotations)
  • Boys: flying sit spin (at least six rotations); sit spin with change of foot to sit spin, change of foot again to sit spin (at least four rotations per position)

Turn

Only one turn will be requested, announced or drawn by lot by the judges:
  • Backward outside bracket, left – backward outside bracket, right
  • Backward inside bracket, left – backward inside bracket, right

Attitude

Skater's choice
  • Outside or inside Ina Bauer lunge
8 PN 8

Jump

2 attempts allowed
  • Double loop

Combinations

2 attempts allowed
  • A single or double jump necessarily including a double toe loop
  • Axel – thoren – double salchow (1A+1Lo+2S)

Spins

2 attempts allowed
  • Combination spin with a change of foot and at least one change of position on each foot (five rotations + five rotations minimum)
  • Attitude spin (single position) (at least six rotations)

Turn

Only one turn will be requested, announced or drawn by lot by the judges:
  • Forward outside counter rocker, left – forward outside counter rocker, right
  • Backward outside counter rocker, left – backward outside counter rocker, right
  • Forward inside counter rocker, left – forward inside counter rocker, right
  • Backward inside counter rocker, left – backward inside counter rocker, right

Attitude

  • Half flip with split
9 PN 9

Jump

2 attempts allowed
  • Double flip

Combination

2 attempts allowed
  • Combination of two different double jumps

Spins

2 attempts allowed
  • Flying sit spin (at least six rotations), skater's choice
  • Sit flying spin, change of foot, sit flying spin, change of foot, sit spin (at least four rotations on each position)
  • Or, skater's choice: layback flying spin, change of foot, layback (at least five rotations on each position)

Turn

Only one turn will be requested, announced or drawn by lot by the judges:
  • Forward outside rocker, left – forward outside rocker, right
  • Forward inside rocker, left – forward inside rocker, right
  • Backward outside rocker, left – backward outside rocker, right
  • Backward inside rocker, left – backward inside rocker, right

Attitude

  • Walley (at least one)
10 PN 10

Jumps

2 attempts allowed
  • Double lutz

Combination

  • Combination of two different double jumps necessarily including a double flip or double loop

Spins

2 attempts allowed
  • Girls: combination spin with a change of foot and at least one change of position including an attitude position on each foot (at least six rotations on each foot); royal spin (at least six rotations)
  • Boys: combination spin with a change of foot and at least one change of position including an attitude position on each foot (at least six rotations on each foot); crossed-leg standing spin (six rotations)

Turn

Only one turn will be requested, announced or drawn by lot by the judges:
  • Forward outside choctaw, left – backward outside choctaw, left
  • Forward outside choctaw, right – backward outside choctaw, right
  • Forward inside choctaw, left – backward inside choctaw, left
  • Forward inside choctaw, right – backward inside choctaw, right

Attitude

  • Spider, spread eagle or Y step forward (left or right)