ONE ACADEMY · LEARN TO SKATE

Level 8

5 Lessons

ROTATION AND CONTROL

Build rotation into your skating.

Level 8 introduces more advanced rotation while continuing to strengthen edge quality, body control, and consistency.

You will begin connecting turns, spins, transitions, and crossover patterns into longer sequences while maintaining control throughout the movement.

IN THIS LEVEL

01 Continuous Outside Three Turns
02 Continuous Inside Three Turns
03 Forward Inside Single Twizzle
04 One Foot Spin
05 Figure of Eight Crossovers

LEVEL 8 · LESSON 1

Continuous Outside Three Turns

01

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Connect repeated Forward Outside Three Turns around a circle using controlled rise and fall and a backward outside edge step forward between each turn.

COACH'S POINTS

  1. Begin with the Forward Outside Three Turn you learned earlier in the program.
  2. Use clear rise and fall. Bend into the edge, rise through the turn, then bend again into the exit.
  3. Aim to stay on the center two wheels through the turn when the skating surface allows it.
  4. Bring the feet together through the turn before extending the free leg into the landing position.
  5. Control the backward outside edge after each turn before preparing to step forward again.
  6. Use the Backward Outside Edge Step Forward learned in Level 6 to connect one Three Turn to the next.
  7. Let the leading arm guide the forward step and prepare your upper body for the next turn.
  8. Do not rush the connection. Finish one turn and regain control before starting the next.
  9. Practice three consecutive turns in both directions.

BUILD THE PATTERN

01

Perform one Forward Outside Three Turn and hold the backward landing position.

02

Rotate into the Backward Outside Edge Step Forward without rushing the weight transfer.

03

Establish the next Forward Outside Edge before beginning the next Three Turn.

04

Repeat the rise, turn, landing and forward-step sequence.

05

Build toward three controlled Three Turns in a row around the circle.

PRACTICE THIS

Start with one Three Turn and one controlled step forward. When that connection feels secure, add the second turn. Build toward three consecutive turns while keeping the rise and fall clear and the backward exit controlled. Practice both directions.

LEVEL 8 · LESSON 2

Continuous Inside Three Turns

02

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Connect repeated Forward Inside Three Turns around a circle while maintaining balance through every turn and step forward.

COACH'S POINTS

  1. Complete each Forward Inside Three Turn before thinking about the next one.
  2. Bend into the entry, rise through the turn and bend again into the backward exit.
  3. Aim to remain on the center balance zone through the turn, with the rear balance zone available when needed.
  4. Push from the wheels rather than using the EDGE pick to begin the next sequence.
  5. Establish your balance on the backward exit before stepping forward.
  6. Do not begin the next Three Turn while still recovering from the previous one.
  7. Let the arms remain controlled and travel naturally with the direction of the circle.
  8. Use the knee action to reduce pressure through the turn rather than trying to force the wheels around.
  9. Build toward three consecutive Inside Three Turns in both directions.

PRACTICE THIS

Perform one Inside Three Turn, settle the backward exit, step forward and stop. Repeat until the connection feels controlled. Then add a second turn and eventually a third. Keep the rhythm bend, rise, bend, step rather than rushing through the sequence.

LEVEL 8 · LESSON 3

Forward Inside Single Twizzle

03

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Rotate one complete revolution on one foot while traveling through a Forward Inside Single Twizzle.

COACH'S POINTS

  1. Think about rotating through one complete turn on the skating foot rather than treating the Twizzle as a jump.
  2. Aim to stay on the center two wheels through the rotation when the surface allows it.
  3. For a right Twizzle, begin with the left arm forward.
  4. For a left Twizzle, begin with the right arm forward.
  5. Bring the arms inward as the rotation begins rather than leaving them extended throughout the turn.
  6. Let the free leg lift and travel with the rotation.
  7. Practice the arm and free-leg positions from standstill before adding the skating turn.
  8. If staying entirely on the center wheels is difficult, a small wheel adjustment during the second half of the turn can help while learning.
  9. Finish facing forward and place the free foot down only after the rotation is complete.
  10. Practice both directions even when one side feels considerably easier.

BUILD THE TWIZZLE

01

Stand on the skating foot and practice the starting arm position for each direction.

02

Practice bringing the arms inward and allowing the free leg to follow the rotation.

03

Add a slow Forward Inside Edge before beginning the rotation.

04

Complete the full revolution while keeping your body organized over the skating foot.

05

Finish forward, place the free foot down and regain your skating position.

PRACTICE THIS

Practice one Twizzle at a time. Start slowly and concentrate on the entry arm, bringing the arms inward, staying over the skating foot and completing the rotation before stepping down. Expect one direction to feel easier, but continue practicing both.

LEVEL 8 · LESSON 4

One Foot Spin

04

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Progress from the Two Foot Spin into a controlled One Foot Spin using the EDGE pick and front wheel.

COACH'S POINTS

  1. Before spinning, practice skating backward and lightly placing the EDGE pick and front wheel onto the surface.
  2. Learn to maintain that position first on two feet and then on the spinning foot.
  3. A One Foot Spin travels on a very small backward inside edge around the spinning center.
  4. Press lightly through the EDGE pick and front wheel. Too much pressure makes the rotation more difficult.
  5. Think about lifting the knee rather than simply lifting the foot.
  6. Keep the free foot close to the skating leg rather than allowing it to hang away from the body.
  7. Use the same entry developed in the Two Foot Spin: create rotation first, then bring the body inward.
  8. Begin by lifting the free foot only briefly and placing it back down.
  9. Increase the length of the one foot position gradually rather than immediately chasing more revolutions.
  10. Bring the arms inward across the body to help organize the rotation.

BUILD THE SPIN

01

Skate backward and practice balancing lightly on the EDGE pick and front wheel.

02

Repeat on the spinning foot with the other foot still available for support.

03

Enter through the Two Foot Spin position and create a small amount of rotation.

04

Lift the knee briefly, maintain the one foot position, then place the foot down again.

05

Gradually build toward a minimum of two controlled revolutions from standstill.

PRACTICE THIS

Start with short attempts. Create the rotation, enter the spinning position, lift the knee for a moment and place the foot back down. Increase the time on one foot only when you can maintain light pressure through the EDGE pick and front wheel without losing your position.

LEVEL 8 · LESSON 5

Figure of Eight Crossovers

05

WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Connect Forward and Backward Crossovers through transitions and direction changes to create a continuous figure of eight.

COACH'S POINTS

  1. Imagine two circles beside each other with one shared center point.
  2. Begin with controlled Forward Crossovers around the first circle.
  3. As you approach the center, prepare the upper body before changing direction.
  4. Change the arms first so the body is organized for the next circle.
  5. Use your Forward Inside Open Mohawk to transition from forward to backward where required.
  6. Enter the Backward Crossovers only after the transition has been completed and your weight is secure.
  7. Use the landing position to finish and control the backward section before changing again.
  8. The transitions between circles are more important than increasing the speed of the crossovers.
  9. Let your body weight move clearly from one side to the other as the direction changes.
  10. Practice both sides so the entire figure of eight does not depend on one dominant direction.

BUILD THE FIGURE OF EIGHT

01

Skate one complete circle using Forward Crossovers.

02

Approach the center and practice changing the arms into the position for the opposite circle.

03

Add the transition and enter the next set of crossovers.

04

Practice the same connection with Backward Crossovers and the landing position.

05

Connect the complete sequence into one continuous figure of eight.

PRACTICE THIS

Work on the transitions separately before attempting the whole pattern. Practice changing the arms and weight at the center point, then add the Mohawk or step. Once each connection feels secure, link the Forward and Backward Crossovers into the complete figure of eight.

LEVEL 8 COMPLETE

Ready for Level 9?

Level 9 introduces spirals, your first jump sequence, a moving-entry One Foot Spin, and the Single Salchow.

CONTINUE TO LEVEL 9