LONG-TERM ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT - Skate Canada

L E A R N T O C O M P E T E
Sport Specific Skills - Pair
PAIR Females (9-13) and Males (10-14)
865 Sheord Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1J 1H9
Phone 613.747.1007 I Toll Free 1.888.747.2372 I Fax 613.748.5718 I Toll Free Fax 1.877.211.2372
Technical Stroking
• Introduction and development of basic pair stroking with an emphasis on good tracking in
open/closed position and shadowing
Jumps
• Refer to singles on Page 29
Spins
• Introduction and development of side-by-side spins in all basic positions
• Teams should be able to hold quality basic positions for six revolutions
Pair Spins
• Introduction of basic pair spin positions in preparation for combination spins
Death Spiral
• Introduction and development of basic death spiral execution with a focus on the position of
the female and the male’s pivot
• Beginning to add features to increase level of difficulty
Twist
• Beginning to execute double twist at the exit point of the stage
Throws
• Introduction and development of two different throw double jumps
Lifts
• Mastery of correct footwork for all male partners
• Introduce and develop basic lifting positions for all female partners
• Emphasis is to be on correct lifting technique and safety
• There should be no levels or changes of position introduced in this stage
Artistic
• Emphasis should be on unison between partners
• Interpersonal engagement should be introduced and developed through program/music
choice
• Both athletes should be participating in dance classes on a regular basis
• See also singles on page 29
Photo: Stephan Potopnyk
30
“As a system and performance analyst in figure skating,
I have often noticed that the skating system is modeled
the same at all levels of athletes. As a sport, we have
assumed that the only way to become the best in the
world is to do what the best in the world is doing right
now – even if our athletes are 10 years of development
away from being the best in the world. For me, one of the
strengths of our LTAD model is that it looks at athletes
according to their developmental age AND their skill
level, identifying the best thing they could be doing NOW
in order to be able to do what the best in the world are
doing if and when they get to that skill level. This will
challenge us all – but it will also give our athletes the
opportunity to maximize their development for as long as
they participate in our sport – which we all hope will be
for a lifetime!”
Patricia Chafe
President, Jump Beyond Inc. and
National Team Consultant