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Ask the AI Coach

Figure skating questions, answered in plain English for parents.

App Usage

How do I film my child's skating for the best analysis?How do I record my child's skating practice to get the best AI analysis?How does the 'Coach Said' feature in SkateMarks work?

Coaching

How do I find a good figure skating coach for my child?How do I tell if my child's coach is a good fit?What should I look for in a figure skating coach?

Competition

How do I read a figure skating judge's score sheet?How do judges score figure skating jumps?How does figure skating scoring work for young skaters?What is the IJS scoring system in figure skating?

Cost

How much does figure skating cost per year?Is it normal for skating to cost $30,000 per year?

Equipment

How do I know if my child needs new skates?How do I know if my child's blades need sharpening?How often should a competitive skater get new blades?What are the best figure skating boots for a beginner?What is the difference between recreational and competitive figure skating boots?

General Skating

What does it mean when a coach says a skater has 'good ice coverage'?What is the difference between competitive and recreational figure skating?What is the difference between freestyle and ice dance?

Jump Knowledge

What does 'cheating' a jump mean in figure skating?What does it mean when a skater under-rotates?What is a 'flip' jump in figure skating and how is it executed?What is a 'free leg' in figure skating and why does it matter for jumps?What is a 'pre-rotation' and why do judges deduct for it?What is a 'two-footed landing' and why is it a problem?What is a combination jump in figure skating?What is a loop jump and how is it different from a Salchow?What is the Waltz Jump and when should my child learn it?What is the difference between a Flip and a Lutz?What is the hardest single jump for most skaters to learn?

Jump Technique

How do I help my child improve their Toe Loop?How high should a Pre-Preliminary skater jump?My child falls on every landing — what should we work on?My daughter's coach says her edge is wrong on the Lutz — what does that mean?My daughter's loop jump is her weakest — what drills help?What causes a skater to over-rotate on a jump?Why do some skaters cheat their Axel takeoff?Why does my daughter always two-foot her Salchow?Why does my daughter's Salchow keep turning into a toe loop?Why does my daughter's arm drop right before she jumps?Why does my son keep falling on his Axel landing?

Levels

What USFS level should a 9-year-old be at?

Progression

How do I know if my child has potential in figure skating?How do I know if my child is ready for a double jump?How long does it take to go from Pre-Preliminary to Preliminary?How long does it take to land a single Axel?My child just started skating at age 10 — is it too late?My son is 12 and just started skating — can he compete at USFS level?What is the best age to start competitive figure skating?

Psychology

How do I explain a bad competition day to my child?How do I help my child be less nervous before competitions?How do I help my child recover after a bad fall?How do I help my child recover confidence after a bad fall at competition?Is it normal for a child to be afraid of falling on jumps?My daughter is scared to try her Axel — how do I help her?My daughter lands her Axel in practice but always falls in competition — why?My daughter's coach wants her to start doubles — how do we prepare mentally?Why does my child keep popping her jumps in competition but not practice?

Safety

Is figure skating safe for a 6-year-old?

Spins

What is a camel spin and when is it required?What is a scratch spin and when is it required in USFS tests?Why does my daughter's spin travel across the ice?

Training

How important is off-ice training for a recreational skater?How long should a figure skating practice session be for a 9-year-old?How many hours per week should a Pre-Preliminary skater practice?How often should a skater practice to progress from Pre-Preliminary to Preliminary?Should my child do dance or theatre to improve her skating?What are the best off-ice exercises for figure skaters?What muscles should my child strengthen off-ice for better jumps?

Usfs

What are the USFS Moves in the Field requirements for Pre-Preliminary?What are the USFS Moves in the Field requirements for Preliminary?What is a USFS test session and how do we register?What is the Moves in the Field test?What is the typical age range for each USFS test level?What jumps are required for the Intermediate USFS test?What jumps are required for the Juvenile USFS test?What jumps are required for the Pre-Juvenile USFS test?What jumps are required for the Pre-Preliminary USFS test?What jumps are required for the Preliminary USFS test?