Learn to Skate Program
Learn to Skate classes range from Snowplow Sam 1-4 (ages 3-5) through Basic 1-6, finishing the program with the Pre-Freeskate (combo of B7 & B8).
Adult classes, levels 1-6, are available and Hockey classes, levels 1-4.
Learn to Skate program is taught by licensed skating coaches. The lessons consist of a half-hour training and a half-hour practice time.
Eccles Ice Center pricing for Learn to Skate classes is $10 a class and is held in 3–6-week increments depending on the Ice Time schedule. Learn to Skate classes run all year long.
SNOWPLOW SAM 1-4
This level is for the beginning skater, ages 3-5. Parents may put on skates to assist their child during practice time, free of charge.
SNOWPLOW SAM 1 SKILLS
SNOWPLOW SAM 2 SKILLS
SNOWPLOW SAM 3 SKILLS
SNOWPLOW SAM 4 SKILLS
BASIC 1-6
This level is for the beginning skater, ages six and up.
BASIC 1 SKILLS
BASIC 2 SKILLS
BASIC 3 SKILLS
BASIC 4 SKILLS
BASIC 5 SKILLS
BASIC 6 SKILLS
HOCKEY 1
THIS LEVEL IS FOR ALL AGES. COMPLETION OF SNOWPLOW SAM 1-2 REQUIRED FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-5
HOCKEY 1 SKILLS
HOCKEY 2 SKILLS
HOCKEY 3 SKILLS
HOCKEY 4 SKILLS
HOCKEY 5 SKILLS
ADULT 1 SKILLS
ADULT 2 SKILLS
ADULT 3 SKILLS
ADULT 4 SKILLS
ADULT 5 SKILLS
ADULT 6 SKILLS
PRE-FREESKATE (COMBO OF B7 & B8) SKILLS
Skating Skills:
Adult classes, levels 1-6, are available and Hockey classes, levels 1-4.
Learn to Skate program is taught by licensed skating coaches. The lessons consist of a half-hour training and a half-hour practice time.
Eccles Ice Center pricing for Learn to Skate classes is $10 a class and is held in 3–6-week increments depending on the Ice Time schedule. Learn to Skate classes run all year long.
SNOWPLOW SAM 1-4
This level is for the beginning skater, ages 3-5. Parents may put on skates to assist their child during practice time, free of charge.
SNOWPLOW SAM 1 SKILLS
- Sit and stand up with skates on – off-ice
- Sit and stand up - on ice
- March in place
- March forward (8-10 steps)
- March, then glide on two feet
- Dip in place
SNOWPLOW SAM 2 SKILLS
- March followed by a long glide
- Dip while moving
- Backward walking, toes turned inward, shifting weight (4-6 steps)
- Backward wiggles (6 in a row)
- Forward swizzles (2-3 in a row)
- Beginning snowplow stop motion – in place or holding onto the barrier
- Two-foot hop, in place (optional)
SNOWPLOW SAM 3 SKILLS
- Forward Skating (8-10 Strides)
- Forward one-foot glide, two times skater’s height (R and L)
- Forward swizzles (4-6 in a row)
- Backward swizzles (2-3 in a row)
- Moving forward, snowplow stop (two-foot)
- Curves
SNOWPLOW SAM 4 SKILLS
- Forward Skating
- Backward two-foot glide, length of skater’s height
- Backward swizzles (4-6 in a row)
- Rocking horse - one forward, one backward
- Two-foot turns from forward to backward, in place (both directions)
- Two-foot hop, in place
BASIC 1-6
This level is for the beginning skater, ages six and up.
BASIC 1 SKILLS
- Sit on ice and stand up
- March forward across the ice
- Forward two-foot glide
- Dip
- Forward swizzles – 6-8 in a row
- Backward wiggles – 6-8 in a row
- Beginning snowplow stop on two feet or one foot
BASIC 2 SKILLS
- Scooter pushes – R & L
- Forward one-foot glide – R & L
- Backward two-foot glide – Glide the length of the skater’s height
- Rocking Horse (one forward swizzle, one backward swizzle) Repeat twice
- Backward swizzles – 6-8 in a row
- Two-foot turns from forward to backward in place – clockwise and counterclockwise
- Moving snowplow stop
BASIC 3 SKILLS
- Beginning forward stroking showing correct use of the blade
- Forward half swizzle pumps on a circle – 6-8 consecutive, clockwise and counterclockwise
- Moving forward to backward two-foot turns on a circle – clockwise and counterclockwise
- Beginning backward one-foot glides – focus on balance
- Backward snowplow stop – R & L
- Forward slalom
BASIC 4 SKILLS
- Forward outside edge on a circle – R & L
- Forward inside edge on a circle – R & L
- Forward crossovers – clockwise and counterclockwise
- Backward half swizzle pumps on a circle - clockwise and counterclockwise
- Backward one-foot glides – R & L
- Beginning two-foot spin – up to two revolutions
BASIC 5 SKILLS
- Backward outside edge on a circle – R & L
- Backward inside edge on a circle – R & L
- Backward crossovers – clockwise and counterclockwise
- Forward outside three-turn – R & L
- Advanced two-foot spin – 4-6
- Hockey stop – both directions
BASIC 6 SKILLS
- Forward inside three-turn – R & L
- Moving backward to forward two-foot turn on a circle; clockwise and counterclockwise
- Backward stroking
- Beginning one-foot spin – 2–4 revolutions, optional free leg position, and entry
- T-stops – R or L
- Bunny Hop
- Forward spiral on a straight line – R or L
HOCKEY 1
THIS LEVEL IS FOR ALL AGES. COMPLETION OF SNOWPLOW SAM 1-2 REQUIRED FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-5
HOCKEY 1 SKILLS
- Falling and recovery to a balanced, standing position
- Proper basic hockey stance (forward and backward)
- March forward across the ice, 8-10 steps
- Two-foot glides and dips from forward marching across the ice
- Forward swizzles/double c-cuts (4 to 6 in a row)
- T-Push to a two-foot glide (hold 2-4 seconds) on a straight line, alternating feet
- Snowplow stop, stationary
HOCKEY 2 SKILLS
- Forward strides using 45-degree V-Push, focus on good recovery and alternating arm drive
- Forward one-foot push and glide (R & L)
- Forward C-Cuts: single leg (R & L) and alternating feet (R & L) in a straight line
- Backward hustle or march, then glide on two feet
- Backward swizzles/double c-cuts (4 to 6 in a row)
- Backward C-Cuts, single leg (R & L), and alternating feet (R & L) in a straight line
- Two-foot moving snowplow stop
HOCKEY 3 SKILLS
- Lateral crossover march (both directions)
- Forward C-Cuts (1/2 swizzle pumps) on a circle, both directions
- Forward outside edges on half circles (large C’s), alternating feet on the short or long axis of the rink
- Forward inside edges on half circles (large C’s), alternating feet on the short or long axis of the rink
- Backward C-Cuts (1/2 swizzle pumps) on a circle, both directions
- Backward snowplow stops: one foot and two feet V-stop
- One-foot moving snowplow stop (R & L), introduce 1/4 turn with hips to hockey stop
HOCKEY 4 SKILLS
- Quick Start using forward V-start
- Backward one-foot glide, R & L
- Forward crossover glides (clockwise & counterclockwise) Hold feet in crossed position for two counts
- Backward crossover glides (clockwise & counterclockwise) Hold feet in crossed position for two counts
- Forward crossovers on a circle, clockwise & counterclockwise, 4-6 each
- Backward crossovers on a circle, clockwise & counterclockwise, 4-6 each
- Hockey stops (stopping to the left and the right, with speed)
HOCKEY 5 SKILLS
- Advanced one foot inside and outside edges, 180 turns
- Two-foot power turns (outside edge inside foot, inside edge outside foot, wide stance)
- Crossover quick start
- Defensive circles (face one direction, do a tight circle, backward crossover)
- Hockey stop to back out turn
- Selling a fake step
- Power kick crossover
ADULT 1 SKILLS
- Falling and recovery; on ice
- Forward marching
- Forward two-foot glide
- Forward swizzles (4-6 in a row)
- One forward swizzle/one backward swizzle (rocking horse)
- Dip
- Forward Snowplow stop – two feet or one foot
ADULT 2 SKILLS
- Forward skating across the width of the ice
- Forward one-foot glides, R and L
- Forward slalom
- Backward skating
- Backward swizzles (4-6 in a row)
- Two-foot turns in place
ADULT 3 SKILLS
- Forward stroking using the blade properly (begin with repetitive one-foot pushes)
- Forward half-swizzle pumps on the circle; 6-8 in a row, clockwise and counterclockwise
- Moving forward to backward and backward to forward two-foot turn on a circle, clockwise and counterclockwise.
- Backward skating into a long two-foot glide
- Forward chasses on a circle, clockwise and counterclockwise
- Backward Snowplow stop, R and L
ADULT 4 SKILLS
- Forward outside edge on a circle, R and L
- Forward inside edge on a circle, R and L
- Forward crossovers, clockwise and counterclockwise
- Backward one-foot glides, R and L
- Backward half-swizzle pumps on a circle, clockwise and counterclockwise
- Hockey stop, both directions
ADULT 5 SKILLS
- Backward outside edge on a circle, R and L
- Backward inside edge on a circle, R and L
- Backward crossovers, clockwise and counterclockwise
- Forward outside three-turn, R and L
- Forward swing rolls to a count of six
- Beginning two-foot spin
ADULT 6 SKILLS
- Forward stroking with crossover end patterns
- Backward stroking with crossover end patterns
- Forward inside three-turn, R and L
- Forward outside to inside changes of edge on a line, R and L
- T-stop, R or L
- Lunge
- Two-foot spin into a one-foot spin
PRE-FREESKATE (COMBO OF B7 & B8) SKILLS
Skating Skills:
- Forward inside open Mohawk from a standstill position (R to L & L to R)
- Backward crossovers to a backward outside edge glides (landing position), clockwise & counterclockwise
- Backward outside edge to a forward outside edge transition, clockwise & counterclockwise
- Two forward crossovers into a forward inside Mohawk, step down and cross behind, step into one backward crossover, and step to a forward inside edge, clockwise & counterclockwise.
- One-foot upright spin, optional entry, and free-foot position (minimum three revolutions)
- Mazurka (R & L)
- Waltz Jump
