What jumps are required for the Preliminary USFS test?

Per the 2024–25 USFS Singles Test Requirements, the Preliminary Free Skate test is the second step in the Singles Test track and introduces the remaining single jumps and the first jump combination.

What's new at Preliminary (over Pre-Preliminary):
- Single Loop — a one-rotation jump from a back outside edge with no toe pick
- Single Flip — a toe-pick jump from a back inside edge
- Single Lutz — a toe-pick jump from a back outside edge (counter-rotation entry, the hardest single jump)
- Jump combination — at Preliminary, this is typically two solo jumps performed back-to-back (e.g., Waltz + Toe Loop, or Salchow + Toe Loop)

The earlier jumps from Pre-Preliminary (Waltz, Salchow, Toe Loop) are still expected — judges look at the whole program, not just the new elements.

No Axel and no doubles at Preliminary. The Single Axel arrives at the next level, and double jumps come later (typically Intermediate and Novice).

What judges actually score is the well-balanced free skate program — not just whether each jump is on a checklist. A clean Single Lutz with the correct outside edge takeoff is worth more than five jumps with edge-changes (Flutzes).

Want to see whether your child is taking off on the right edge for each jump? SkateMarks analyzes every takeoff and lands and shows you exactly what's happening, frame by frame.