What Are The Easiest Moves In Figure Skating?

When watching the mind-bending athletic pyrotechnics of figure skating on the Olympic ice, it may be difficult to fathom where to even begin. On the flip side of these extraordinary athletes, what are the easiest skills in the sport? Once you’ve mastered skating and stopping and feel competent enough on skates to begin attempting simple tricks, trying full figure skating moves is the next step. Also, getting back to basics and building on foundational skills is the only way to gain the stamina and power needed to attempt more difficult stunts. Read on to learn about the easiest, most beginner-friendly moves in figure skating.      

What Are the Easiest Moves in Figure Skating?

• Crossovers
• Two-Foot Spin
• Spiral
• Lunge/Drag
• Waltz Jump

Crossovers

One of the simplest traveling steps is the crossover. Once you’re comfortable gliding across the ice, a crossover is the next progression and can help you move more efficiently around a circular rink. As the name implies, a crossover requires you to lift one foot and cross it over the other, placing it back on the ice and pushing off in a series of small alternating steps. This stepwise motion covers ground quickly and helps you navigate turns. Once you master the forward crossover you can attempt going backward. While looking back over your shoulder, stroke on one foot while lifting the other to cross behind.

Two-Foot Spin

A two-foot spin can have a great visual impact while being a really attainable move for beginners to practice balance and focal points. Standing with your weight balanced evenly between both skates, remain upright and forward facing. Bend the knees ever so slightly to give a small push and then extend your arms and use them to turn your body. Be careful not to tip to either side or let your gaze shift down toward your feet. With proper core engagement and stability, the momentum from your arms should be enough to execute an entire rotation, and from there, you can begin adding multiples and practice spotting. 

Spiral

Though they may seem complicated at first, balletic spirals are a simple leg lift that adds elegance to any skating routine. The key to this move is core strength and balance. While gliding forward at a manageable speed, extend your arms out to either side. While keeping your gaze forward (looking down may cause you to fall over), keep your arms out and begin to carefully tip forward, lifting one leg off the ice and extending it behind you like an arabesque. Lift your leg to whatever height is comfortable. Start low, and as your flexibility and strength increase, you can extend the leg higher and higher. 

Lunge/Drag

If you can do a lunge on land, you can do it on the ice. The position is the same, and a lunge is a figure skating fundamental that improves leg and core strength, as the skater plants the front foot in a deep knee bend, while the opposite leg drags behind them straight. Finding the right speed from which to enter the move is crucial, too fast or too slow will make it more challenging, so play around with your pace and try different arm positions for balance and artistry. 

Waltz Jump

One of the few forward-facing jumps in skating, a waltz jump is the easiest introduction to weight changing. It’s only a half rotation and requires the skater to take off from the outside edge of one foot and land on the outside edge of the other. You don’t need to get far off the ice to complete this move, but swinging the knee of your free leg up higher can aid in momentum.

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