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United States · Preliminary

Preliminary

2026/27 requirements, assessment and original pattern diagrams available

Prerequisite: previous level in pathway unless an explicit alternative or cross-credit applies

Assessment: in-person or club-approved virtual test session

Passing: majority of judges; lower entry level is whole-test descriptor, later levels use per-judge totals with compensating marks

Where: member club test session or approved virtual route

2026/27 skating skills requirements

Rule 5102, page 155. The complete level rule below retains test expectations, pass totals, reskates and references to separate candidate standards. General rules 5000–5040 also apply.

5102 Standard Preliminary Skating Skills Test and Skate United Preliminary Skating Skills Test Test expectations: The purpose of this test is to continue the encouragement of beginning skaters to learn the fundamentals of ice skating. Standard candidates must show knowledge of the steps and a good sense of power (speed and flow). Attention should be given to depth of edges and proper curvature of lobes. For Skate United candidates, see rule 5034. 1. Forward and backward crossovers 2. Consecutive outside and inside spirals 3. Forward power three-turns 4. Alternating forward three-turns 5. Forward circle eight 6. Alternating backward crossovers to backward outside edges One element may be reskated, if necessary (see rule 5040). Diagrams are available beginning on page SS-7 Pass total: 0 to 6 points Honors total: 7 to 12 points Distinction total: 13 to 18 points Approximate time for test: 10 minutes

How to perform the patterns

Each original page includes the exercise instructions and diagram. Read both together.

Exercise 1: instructions and diagram
Standard Preliminary 1 and Skate United Preliminary 1 Forward and Backward Crossovers The skater will perform forward crossovers in a figure eight pattern. It is expected that the skater will perform the transition between circles on one foot. Four to six crossovers per circle are recommended. Upon completing the forward figure eight, the skater will perform a swing roll and change of edge to an open C step in order to turn from forward to backward and continue the figure eight pattern with four to six backward crossovers per circle. This move may start in either direction. Introductory steps are optional. Focus: Power PRELIMINARY 1 FORWARD & BACKWARD CROSSOVERS INTRO STEPS ARE OPTIONAL LBI RBO RBO LBO RBI LBO LBI LBI RBI RBO RBI RFI OpCSt LBO LBI LBI RBI RBO RBO RBI LBI LBO RBO LBI LBO RBI LFO RFI LFO RFI LFI RFO LFI RFO LFO RFO RFI LFI start LFO RFO LFO RFO SwRoll RFI LFI RFI LFI LFO RFI LFO RFO LFI RFO 2026-27 U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook SS-7
Skating skills rule 5102, diagram page 249Open this source page
Exercise 2: instructions and diagram
Standard Preliminary 2 and Skate United Preliminary 2 Consecutive Outside and Inside Spirals The skater will perform right foot and left foot spirals. The outside edge spirals will be skated for the first length of the rink. Forward crossovers may be utilized (optional) around the end of the rink. Forward inside edge spirals will be skated for the second length of the rink. The exact number of spirals will depend on the size of the rink and the strength of the skater, however a minimum of four spirals down each length of the rink must be skated. The extended leg in the spiral should be held at hip level or higher. Introductory steps are optional. Focus: Extension and edge quality x: 0.3914 PRELIMINARY 2 CONSECUTIVE OUTSIDE & INSIDE SPIRALS y: 7.125 INTRO STEPS ARE OPTIONAL start LFO RFI GLIDE ON 2 FEET RFO LFI LFO cntr.: x: 2.125, y: 3.75 RFI dim.: w - 3.4671, h - 6.75 pctg. from original pdf: 101% pctg. from original pdf: 112-113% stroke notation: Helvetica LT Std/Condensed 7.5 pt. stroke weight: 1 pt. RFO LFI LFO RFI END PATTERN IS OPTIONAL y: 0.375 x: 3.8585 SS-8 2026-27 U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook
Skating skills rule 5102, diagram page 250Open this source page
Exercise 3: instructions and diagram
Standard Preliminary 3 and Skate United Preliminary 3 Forward Power Three-Turns The skater will perform forward outside three-turns to a balance position followed by a backward crossover. Three to six sets of three-turns will be skated depending on the length of the ice surface. Skaters may begin this move with either right or left foot three-turns. On the second length of the rink, the three-turns will be skated on the opposite foot. Introductory steps and backward crossovers around the end of the rink are optional. Focus: Power x: 0.3914 PRELIMINARY 3 FORWARD POWER 3-TURNS y: 7.125 start INTRO STEPS ARE OPTIONAL LFO3 LBI * XF RBO RBI LBI XF LBO * RBI RFO3 LFO3 LBI * RBI RBO XF cntr.: x: 2.125, y: 3.75 XF LBO LBI dim.: w - 3.4671, h - 6.75 * pctg. from original pdf: 101% RBI RFO3 pctg. from original pdf: 112-113% LFO3 stroke notation: Helvetica LT Std/Condensed 7.5 pt. LBI stroke weight: 1 pt. * RBI RBO XF XF LBO LBI * RBI RFO3 *denotes wide power push and a two-foot transition OPTIONAL END PATTERN y: 0.375 x: 3.8585 2026-27 U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook SS-9
Skating skills rule 5102, diagram page 251Open this source page
Exercise 4: instructions and diagram
Standard Preliminary 4 and Skate United Preliminary 4 Alternating Forward Three-Turns Starting from a standing position the skater will perform alternating forward outside three-turns for the width of the rink. The skater will then perform forward inside alternating three-turns for the second width of the rink. The size of the rink and strength of the skater will determine the number of three-turns skated. This move may start on either foot. Focus: Edge quality x: 0.3914 PRELIMINARY 4 ALTERNATING FORWARD 3-TURNS y: 7.125 RFO3 RFO3 RFO3 start LFO3 LFO3 LFO3 RFI3 RFI3 RFI3 start LFI3 LFI3 LFI3 cntr.: x: 2.125, y: 3.75 dim.: w - 3.4671, h - 6.75 pctg. from original pdf: 101% pctg. from original pdf: 112-113% stroke notation: Helvetica LT Std/Condensed 7.5 pt. stroke weight: 1 pt. y: 0.375 x: 3.8585 SS-10 2026-27 U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook
Skating skills rule 5102, diagram page 252Open this source page
Exercise 5: instructions and diagram
Standard Preliminary 5 and Skate United Preliminary 5 Forward Circle Eight The skater will push from a standing start onto a forward outside edge and complete one forward outside figure eight. Upon returning to center at the completion of the second circle, the skater will perform a forward inside figure eight by pushing onto a forward inside edge, thereby repeating the previously skated circle. The circles should be equal in size with each circle approximately three times the skater’s height. The skater may mark the center. This move may start on either foot. Focus: Edge quality and continuous flow x: 0.3914 PRELIMINARY 5 FORWARD CIRCLE 8 y: 7.125 1ST TRACING — RFO / LFO 2ND TRACING — RFI / LFI cntr.: x: 2.125, y: 3.75 dim.: w - 3.4671, h - 6.75 pctg. from original pdf: 101% pctg. from original pdf: 112-113% stroke notation: Helvetica LT Std/Condensed 7.5 pt. stroke weight: 1 pt. y: 0.375 x: 3.8585 2026-27 U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook SS-11
Skating skills rule 5102, diagram page 253Open this source page
Exercise 6: instructions and diagram
Standard Preliminary 6 and Skate United Preliminary 6 Alternating Backward Crossovers to Backward Outside Edges The skater will perform alternating backward crossovers to backward outside edges in consecutive half circles for one length of the rink. Four or five lobes should be skated. Introductory steps are optional. Focus: Power and extension x: 0.3914 PRELIMINARY 6 ALTERNATING BACKWARD XOVERS TO BACKWARD OUTSIDE EDGES y: 7.125 RBO INTRO STEPS ARE OPTIONAL XF LBI start RBO LBO XF RBI LBO RBO XF LBI cntr.: x: 2.125, y: 3.75 dim.: w - 3.4671, h - 6.75 RBO pctg. from original pdf: 101% LBO pctg. from original pdf: 112-113% XF stroke notation: Helvetica LT Std/Condensed 7.5 pt. RBI stroke weight: 1 pt. LBO RBO XF LBI RBO y: 0.375 x: 3.8585 SS-12 2026-27 U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook
Skating skills rule 5102, diagram page 254Open this source page

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Rulebook & Bylaws · 1 pagesTest Structure · 1 pagesOfficiate - Test Judge · 1 pages