LONG-TERM ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT - Skate Canada

Sport Specific Skills - Active for Life for Synchronized Skating
L o n g - Te r m A t h l e t e D e v e l o p m e n t
65
865 Sheord Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1J 1H9
The following chart represents the skills participants should be able to demonstrate or a relative mastery of the skills
Phone 613.747.1007 I Toll Free 1.888.747.2372 I Fax 613.748.5718 I Toll Free Fax 1.877.211.2372
dependent on the volume of training.
Technical Skills Edges
• Can skate on edges forward and backwards
Turns • Can do one-foot turns from forward to backwards
• Can do all Mohawks
• Can sustain edges after these turns
• May be able to do backward 3-turns with balance before the turn
• Loops are introduced
Stroking
• Forward and backward crosscuts have been acquired
• Has at least two different stopping options forward and backward
Jumps
• Not required in unison, however should be mastering all single jumps
individually
Spins • Not required in unison, however should be mastering Group 1 Spins and
should be developing Group 2 spins individually*
Field Moves
• Skaters should be capable of Group 1 Free Skating moves and should be
developing their skills for Group 2 moves*
Artistic Skills Advanced sense of rhythm and body placement through creative movements to
music on and off the ice
* Difficulty groups of features as defined by the ISU
Advanced skills may be developed/incorporated as appropriate for the team composition. These skills represent the
basics that should be developed to allow for successful participation in synchronized skating.
On-Ice Training
The exact on–ice training load will depend on the goals and objectives that are set by the team. The ranges are as
follows :
Session length: • 45 to 60 minutes
Days/week: •
•
1 to 6 days/week
1 to 10 hours/week depending on level/goals
Weeks/year: • 25 to 40 weeks/year
Off-Ice Training
Participants considered in the Active for Life stage
should be encouraged to participate in off-ice training
52 weeks per year. This will give them a fitness plan for
life which will not only keep them healthy and fit but
will enhance their sport activities. Generally, three to
five hours per week of various activities which enhance
stamina, strength, speed, and suppleness is adequate.
The specific types of activities will vary dependent
upon socio-cultural context, participant interest,
instructor availability, etc. Some examples of potential
activities include resistance training, yoga, tai chi, core
conditioning, walking, running, swimming, dance and
movement classes. A yearly plan should be designed
to incorporate the peak training periods, competition
periods, testing, off-ice training and active rest periods
specific to the goals/needs of the athlete. Proper warmup
and cool-down techniques should be established,
enforced, and practiced. This should involve heart rate
elevation, muscle stretching, heart rate recovery, etc. for
all on and off-ice activities.
Competition
Within the category of Active for Life the volume of
competition to training should be individually defined.
Because of the team nature of synchronized skating,
it will be important that the majority of the team has
consistent commitment to the ratio of training and
competition goals for the team in any given season.
S Y N C H R O N I Z E D S K A T I N G