SYNCHRONIZED SKATING
The information included in these Athlete Development Matrices (ADM) are aspirational targets. Each athlete will progress through this pathway based upon their individual skill acquisition; it is expected that progress may vary from skill to skill. These benchmarks are not a checklist, but information to support training strategies and holistic skill development.
SYNCHRO - ELEMENT ASSESSMENTS
| ELEMENT | VIDEO EXAMPLES |
| STAR 2 Linear Element Line | Linear Element Line #1 |
| STAR 2 Intersection | Intersection #1 |
| STAR 2 Rotating Element Circle | Rotating Element Circle #1 |
| STAR 2 Rotating Element Wheel | Rotating Element Wheel #1 |
Accuracy
Correct skating and synchro technique, symmetry and shape of edges
- Skating: Edges have some flow. Skaters generally use correct skating technique and push from side of blade. Equal thrusts on each foot is developing.
- Synchro: Stable hold with some pulling or one break of hold. Slow, cautious movement
Some bumping or one collision at pi (INTERSECTION)
Carriage/Clarity
Carriage and clarity of movement
- Skater has upright carriage that is developing with some break in posture. Body line is reasonable.
Power
Varied use of power, speed, acceleration, flow and glide
- Generation of speed is developing. Skater generally uses blade pushes.
| ELEMENT | VIDEO EXAMPLES |
| STAR 3&4 Linear Element Line | Linear Element Line #1 |
| STAR 3&4 Intersection | Intersection #1 |
| STAR 3&4 Rotating Element Circle | Rotating Element Circle #1 |
| STAR 3&4 Rotating Element Wheel | Rotating Element Wheel #1 |
| STAR 3&4 Pivoting Block | Pivoting Block #1 |
| STAR 4 Moves Element – Spiral | Moves Element – Spiral #1 |
Accuracy
Correct skating and synchro technique, symmetry and shape of edges
- Skating: Skater generally uses correct skating technique and pushes from the side of the blade. Equal thrusts on both feet is evident.
- Synchro: Stable hold with some pulling or one break of hold. Minimal bumping or one collision at pi (INTERSECTION)
Carriage/Clarity
Carriage and clarity of movement
- Skater has reasonable upright carriage with some break in posture.
Power
Varied use of power, speed, acceleration, flow and glide
- Generation of speed is adequate. Skater generally uses blade pushes.
Position
Quality of position
- STAR 4: Posture developing. Some slight breaks in posture acceptable. May have partial free leg extension (spiral).
TRAVELLING ELEMENT
| LEVEL | GOE |
| 2 | +1 to +2 |
- Introduction of spatial awareness (awareness of the distance and spacing between skaters) and fundamentals of travelling an element
- Training the maintenance of shape and spacing before the development of speed
- Focus areas: Shape, spacing, unison
| LEVEL | GOE |
| 2 | +1 to +2 |
- Development of spatial awareness and fundamentals of travelling an element
- Continued focus on maintaining of shape and spacing with an introduction of speed
- Focus areas: Shape, spacing, unison
| LEVEL | GOE |
| 3 to 4 | +1 to +2 |
- Demonstrate good spatial awareness and fundamentals of travelling an element
- Consistently maintain shape, spacing, and unison with good speed and ice coverage
MOVE ELEMENT
| LEVEL | GOE |
| 1+1 | +2 |
- Development of unsupported spiral performed on a correct edge and circle
- Introduction of off-ice and on-ice development of flexibility and strength
- Introduction of a variety of skills; spread eagles, spirals, Ina Bauers, pivots, hydroblading, lunges
- Focus areas: Flexibility, strength
| LEVEL | GOE |
| 2+2 | +2 |
- Continued development of unsupported spiral performed on a correct edge and circle
- Continued emphasis on off-ice and on-ice development of flexibility and strength
- Development of a variety of skills; spread eagles, spirals, Ina Bauers, pivots, hydroblading, lunges
- Focus areas: Flexibility, strength
| LEVEL | GOE |
| 3 | +2 to +3 |
- Demonstrates good flow, speed, ice coverage and correct edges
- Demonstrates good flexibility, strength, control and body line in positions
- Able to execute 3 FMs: spiral, upright extension/Biellmann and spread eagle
- Element is constructed and performed to musical phrasing with unison
- Development of creativity and unique field movements
INTERSECTION
| LEVEL | GOE |
| 2+2 | +1 to +2 |
- Introduction of basic intersections
- Clear entry and exit shapes
- Introduction of 360 rotation in both directions with emphasis on foot placement in point of intersection
- Introduction of forward and backwards skating into 360
| LEVEL | GOE |
| 2+2 | +1 to +2 |
- Development of basic intersections
- Clear entry and exit shapes
- Development of 360 rotation in both directions with emphasis on foot placement in point of intersection
- Introduction of forward and backwards skating into 360
| LEVEL | GOE |
| 3+3/3+4 | +2 |
- Introduction of backward continuous rotation (angle/whip)
- Demonstrates good speed on entry and exit, good unison and clear lines throughout the element
- Perform 360/720 rotation with good foot placement in point of intersection (both directions when appropriate to the element chosen)
- Element matches the musical phrasing
- Continue development of forward and backward skating into 360/720
LINEAR & ROTATING ELEMENTS
| LEVEL | GOE |
| 2 | +2 to +3 |
- Development of strong forward and backward skating skills both in isolation and in hold with a focus on unison
- Development of speed and shape in the execution of element
- Emphasis on skating skills
| LEVEL | GOE |
| 2 | +2 to +3 |
- Continued development of strong forward and backward skating skills both in isolation and in hold with a focus on unison
- Continued development of speed and shape in the execution of element
- Emphasis on skating skills
PIVOTING ELEMENT
| LEVEL | GOE |
| 2 | +2 |
- Introduction of spatial awareness (awareness of the distance and spacing between skaters and lines), unison and fundamentals of pivoting an element
- Focus on maintaining shape, spacing and turns before the development of speed
- Focus areas: Shape, spacing, unison, fundamentals of skating
| LEVEL | GOE |
| 2 | +2 |
- Development of spatial awareness (equal distance between skaters and lines), unison and fundamentals of pivoting an element
- Continued focus on maintaining shape, spacing and turns with an introduction of speed
- Focus areas: Shape, spacing, unison, fundamentals of skating
| LEVEL | GOE |
| 2 | +2 |
- Good speed, unison and spatial awareness and fundamentals of pivoting an element
- Good shape, spacing, and turns
- Good ice coverage throughout element
- Perform at least one difficult turn in hold
- Training of additional difficult turns in hold
- Reflects musical phrasing throughout element
NO HOLD ELEMENT
| LEVEL | GOE |
| 2+1 | +2 |
- Introduction of spatial awareness (awareness of the distance and spacing between skaters and lines) and unison
- Focus on maintaining shape and spacing before the development of speed
- Emphasis on quality turns with correct edges
- Introduction of all turns in isolation
- Focus areas: Shape, spacing, unison, fundamentals of skating
| LEVEL | GOE |
| 2+1 | +2 |
- Introduction of spatial awareness (awareness of the distance and spacing between skaters and lines) and unison
- Focus on maintaining shape and spacing before the development of speed
- Emphasis on quality turns with correct edges
- Introduction of all turns in isolation
- Focus areas: Shape, spacing, unison, fundamentals of skating
| LEVEL | GOE |
| 4+1 | +2 |
- Demonstrate good spatial awareness, unison and shape throughout
- Maintain good speed and accuracy of turns and steps with good knee action and edge quality
- Perform 3 out of the 5 difficult turns (rocker, counter, bracket, double twizzle, loop) in the element
- Develop use of full body movement, while maintaining control and depth of edge
- Perform most turns and steps with attention to the phrasing/beat of the music
TWIZZLE
- Introduce spatial awareness between skaters
- Introduce all twizzles in training
- Introduce spatial awareness between skaters
- Introduce all twizzles in training
| LEVEL | GOE |
| 2 to 3 | +1 to+2 |
- Development of increased speed of rotation and number of rotations
- Speed and flow evident throughout sequence
- Spacing close and consistent
- Strong twizzle technique
- Begin tracking of consistency
SYNCHRONIZED SPIN
- Development of all basic spin positions
- Focus should be on quality over difficulty
- Introduction of unison
- Development of all basic spin positions
- Focus should be on quality over difficulty
- Introduction of unison
| LEVEL | GOE |
| 3 to 4 | +1 to +2 |
- Continued improvement of individual spins
- Increase in speed and number of rotations in position, demonstrating strength of position
- Strong basic positions and difficult variations with increased rotations, control, and speed
- Continued development of entry and exits to spins
- Development of unison
ARTISTIC
| LEVEL | GOE |
| 2 | +2 to +3 |
- Demonstrates good speed, unison and shape
- Strong skating skills support creative element
- Element expresses the character of the music
SKATING SKILLS
| PROGRAM COMPONENT |
| 4.00 to 4.25 |
- Development of all edges
- Development of speed and power
- Introduction of lean
- Focus on solo skating for the development of speed, flow and strength
- Emphasis on foundational skating skills is critical at this stage
| PROGRAM COMPONENT |
| 4.00 to 4.50 |
- Development of all edges
- Development of speed and power
- Introduction of lean
- Focus on solo skating for the development of speed, flow and strength
- Emphasis on foundational skating skills is critical at this stage
| PROGRAM COMPONENT |
| 5.00 to 5.50 |
- Even speed, flow and power throughout
- Additional complex turns and movements demonstrated with quality
- Team begins to move as a unit (“oneness”) with similar skill levels
PERFORMANCE SKILLS
| PROGRAM COMPONENT |
| 4.00 to 4.25 |
Performance Triangle:
- Connection of team and commitment to movement: development of strong holds, tracking, and spatial awareness between skaters while developing strong posture. Introduce a variety of movement dynamics to promote development of body and spatial awareness
- Connection to music: Begin appreciation of musical phrasing and skating to a beat, changes of tempo
- Connection to audience: begin development of projection and expression
- Skaters may have different levels of skills
| PROGRAM COMPONENT |
| 4.00 to 4.50 |
Performance Triangle:
- Connection of team and commitment to movement: development of strong holds, tracking, and spatial awareness between skaters while developing strong posture. Introduce a variety of movement dynamics to promote development of body and spatial awareness
- Connection to music: Begin appreciation of musical phrasing and skating to a beat, changes of tempo
- Connection to audience: begin development of projection and expression
- Skaters may have different levels of skills
| PROGRAM COMPONENT |
| 5.75 to 6.75 |
Performance Triangle:
- Team and Movement: increased variety of movement between skaters. 3-dimensional movement, movement ‘off-of-centre’, commitment to movement dynamics
- Music: development of theme/movement style to showcase program. All element execution needs to relate to music
- Audience: ability to create specific moments in a program, emotional, physical commitment to the program
Review Groups
Coaching Committee
Élise Hamel
Lynne Koper
Paul MacIntosh
Angela Malorni
Laura Marquette
Sheilagh McCaskill
Keegan Murphy
Stéphanie Valois
STAR
Joanne Godin
Lynne Koper
Laura Marquette
Sheilagh McCaskill
Carol Moir
Natasha Senechal Sirois
Leah Warwick Timko
Mary Liz Wiley