ONE ACADEMY · LEARN TO SKATE

Level 1

5 Lessons

FOUNDATION LEVEL

Start with balance, movement and control.

Level 1 introduces your skating position, your first forward movement and the basic control needed to begin skating safely.

If you are new to skating, work through all five lessons in order. Each lesson builds on what came before it.

IN THIS LEVEL

01 Skating Position
02 Fall Down and Stand Up
03 Forward Marching
04 Forward Two Foot Glide
05 Skate and Dip

LEVEL 1 · LESSON 1

Skating Position

01

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Learn the basic body position that everything else in the program will build from.

COACH'S POINTS

  1. Toes slightly pointed out.
  2. Knees slightly bent.
  3. Arms slightly forward.
  4. Head looking straight ahead.
  5. Weight slightly forward.

PRACTICE THIS

Find your skating position and check each point. Hold the position without leaning too far forward or backward.

READY WHEN

You can hold your skating position comfortably and feel balanced over your skates without needing support.

LEVEL 1 · LESSON 2

Fall Down and Stand Up

02

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Learn how to come down from a forward fall and return safely to your skating position.

COACH'S POINTS

  1. Try to fall toward one side or diagonally.
  2. Use your hands as you come down.
  3. Bring one foot underneath you.
  4. Use your hands for support when needed.
  5. Move through a squat before standing.

PRACTICE THIS

Practice moving from the floor to one foot underneath you, into a squat and then back into your skating position.

READY WHEN

You can get back onto your skates calmly and independently without losing control as you stand.

LEVEL 1 · LESSON 3

Forward Marching

03

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Learn how lifting and replacing each foot begins to create controlled forward movement.

COACH'S POINTS

  1. Begin in your skating position.
  2. Lift your knees with your toes pointed out.
  3. Bring each foot back toward the center.
  4. Do not allow the feet to keep moving farther apart.
  5. Let the movement gradually create forward roll.

PRACTICE THIS

March forward while focusing on lifting each knee and returning each foot toward the center before the next step.

READY WHEN

You can march forward continuously with control while keeping your upper body balanced over your skates.

LEVEL 1 · LESSON 4

Forward Two Foot Glide

04

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Use the speed from Forward Marching to bring both skates together and begin gliding.

COACH'S POINTS

  1. Begin with Forward Marching.
  2. Build a little speed before trying to glide.
  3. Bring both feet parallel.
  4. Stay in your skating position.
  5. Allow the skates to roll without continuing to march.

PRACTICE THIS

March forward, bring both feet parallel and hold your skating position while allowing both skates to glide.

READY WHEN

You can bring both feet together and maintain a controlled forward glide without stepping.

LEVEL 1 · LESSON 5

Skate and Dip

05

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Combine your skating position, Forward Marching and Forward Two Foot Glide with a controlled dip.

COACH'S POINTS

  1. Begin in your skating position.
  2. Keep your feet parallel.
  3. Bring your arms forward as you lower.
  4. Keep your weight over your skates.
  5. March first, glide and then add the dip.

PRACTICE THIS

Build speed with Forward Marching, move into your Forward Two Foot Glide and lower into the dip while continuing to roll.

READY WHEN

You can lower and rise during a forward glide while keeping both skates controlled and your balance centered.

LEVEL 1 COMPLETE

Ready for
Level 2?

Level 2 builds directly on these foundations with turning, backward movement, Forward Lemons, curved gliding and stopping.

Continue to Level 2