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

There's no single "right" level for a 9-year-old—it really depends on when they started skating and how often they train. I've seen some kids at that age still working through Pre-Preliminary basics, while others are already competing at Intermediate or even higher.

What matters more than age is consistency and foundation. A skater who's been training seriously since age 5 or 6 might be at Novice or Junior levels by 9. Someone who started more recently could still be solidly in Pre-Preliminary or Preliminary, and that's perfectly normal progression.

The real question isn't "where should they be" but "are they progressing steadily?" If your 9-year-old is working with a coach they trust, landing jumps that feel solid, and showing improvement month to month, they're exactly where they need to be. Rushing through levels leads to shaky fundamentals—something we see come back to haunt skaters later.

I'd focus on whether your child feels confident and is enjoying the sport. That's what keeps them on the ice long-term.

Here's your next step: chat with your child's coach about what they see as realistic progress over the next season. It'll give you a real sense of where things are heading.

Want to see this in your child's skating? SkateMarks analyzes every jump with per-second AI coaching notes.