JSC Class Descriptions:

• Basic Skills (our Learn to Skate program) These group lessons are based on the United States Figure Skating's (USFSA) Basic Skills Program. This is a nationwide, skills-based, graduated series of instruction for youth and adult skaters. This program is designed to teach all skaters the fundamentals of skating. The skills taught are fully applicable to recreational, hockey, or figure skating. Skaters work through levels of skating skills by taking and passing proficiency tests with patches offered as rewards for skaters upon successfully completing a given level. Lessons and testing cycle on approximately a 6-week basis. Typically, we will have skills testing on the last class day of the lesson series. Testing is entirely optional, according to the preferences of the skater.  Sometimes skaters will advance to the next higher level after only one lesson series, and for others it may take two or more lesson series to master the skills of a level. There is no pressure to advance; skaters progress at their own rate. Group lessons are the most cost-effective way to achieve fundamental skills.  

  Listed below are the names of the skill levels we will be teaching. At the completion of these levels the skater will have mastered the following:

  Snowplow Sam 1-3 (for very young, Tot age skaters, starting at age 4); Very basic skills: standing, falling, getting up, marching dips, swizzles, wiggles.

  Basic 1-8 (all ages); Eight carefully planned levels allow the beginning skater to feel comfortable on the ice while gaining the basic skating techniques needed to advance into any of the specialized areas of the Basic Skills Program. The 8 Basic levels include skills such as forward and backward basic strokes, one-foot glides, edges, crossovers, snowplow stops, two-foot turns, one-foot turns, small jumps and two-foot spins.

  Adult 1-4 (over 18):  Four levels generally including the same skills as Basic 1-8, taught in an adult-oriented progression of skills.

  Following completion of Basic 5 or Adult 3, skaters may move into Synchronized Skating and Moves in the Field.  Following completion of Basic 8 or Adult 4, skaters can then move into the more specialized areas of Free Skate, Ice Dance, or Pairs.

  Cost is $70 for a six-week session.

• Hockey Skating Skills  will be taught as a series of guided drills to increase skill level skating with and without a hockey stick.  Multiple skill levels will be taught on the same sheet of ice.  Minimum requirements:  skaters should be over the age of 10, able to comfortably skate forward, reliably stop (without using the boards or a fellow skater), and be at least learning to skate backwards.  This class is also suitable for intermediate to advanced hockey skaters.  Cost is $70 for a six-week session.

• Hockey Power & Conditioning (currently not offered) is a workout intended for skaters who wish to improve their skating skills as well as work on conditioning, skating muscle development, and getting more power from skating strokes by tips on techniques. Students will work on a variety of drills designed to improve skating power and control.   Focus will be on HOCKEY POWER SKATING.  Cost is $80 for six weeks.

• Synchronized Skating (currently offered as part of the Bridge Program) involves eight to twenty skaters (youth and adult) on the ice at the same time, and is characterized by intricate formations and maneuvers,  footwork, changing hand and arm holds, all performed with as much uniformity as possible.  If you've seen the JDHS Drill Team, imagine a Drill Team on ice.  JSC offers a developmental Synchronized Skating class to teach skaters the basics of team skating.  Minimum ability level: Basic 8 or Adult 4.  Cost is $80 for a six-week session.

• Figure Skating is a one- to three-day-a-week program for skaters that have finished Basic Skills Level 8 or Adult Level 4.  Skaters will work through the Free Skate levels in the United States Figure Skating program.  Students work individually with their coach to develop their skills.  Students pay the coaches separately for private lessons; use of JSC club ice for Figure Skating lessons is $140 for two sessions per week for six weeks.

• Moves in the Field (currently not offered) Moves in the Field are figure skating patterns that have replaced the compulsory figures.  It is strongly recommended that all students taking Figure Skating plan on attending Moves in the Field. This class is also open to students in Basic 5-8 and Adult 4.  Cost is $85 for seven Sundays.

Class Structure:

• Tot lessons last one half hour.  Skaters will work on Snowplow Sam skills with their instructor.  We ask that parents of tot skaters stay at the rink during the lesson in case their skater needs them.  Once a tot can skate independently across the ice, the tot may stay for an extra half hour of supervised practice time.  Your tot's instructor will tell you when your tot is able to join the older students during practice ice.

• Basic Skills lessons last one hour.  Half of the hour will be spent on focused instruction within a small group, and the other half of the hour will be spent in supervised practice of these skills.  Some skaters will be in focus groups during the first half of the hour, others during the second half of the hour.

• Hockey Skating classes last one hour.  The class will be taught as a series of guided drills to increase skill level skating with and without a hockey stick. 

• Synchronized Skating class lasts one hour.  The skaters will work as a group to learn formations and movement patterns.  This class is an excellent upper-body workout as skaters use their arms to control the movement of the group.

• Hockey Power & Conditioning lasts one hour.  Students work through a series of drills under the guidance of several instructors.   This is intended to be a cardiovascular workout.

• Moves in the Field class is offered one Sunday a month (usually the first Sunday) and lasts one hour.  Moves in the Field are figure skating patterns that have replaced the compulsory figures.  It is strongly recommended that all students taking Figure Skating plan on attending Moves in the Field.

Skaters’ conduct on the ice during instruction time is key to a pleasant and safe learning experience for yourself and others.   Following a few simple rules and listening to your instructor will ensure more rapid progress, mastery of skills, and increased skating satisfaction.

There are some inherent risks in ice-skating. An important part of skaters’ instruction relates to matters of safety and conduct. Instructors will teach concepts that will assist skaters in advancing their skills, while at the same time ensuring safety. For example, clothing, on-ice behavior, and equipment are factors that will be discussed to help minimize safety hazards. We ask your cooperation on matters of safety and conduct, and we expect appropriate on-ice conduct. Skaters who cannot exhibit appropriate on-ice conduct during group lessons may risk loss of ice time.

See you at the rink!

Call or email for more information:  523-9115 or juneausk8@hotmail.com