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 5106, page 156. The complete level rule below retains test expectations, pass totals, reskates and references to separate candidate standards. General rules 5000–5040 also apply.
5106 Standard Silver Skating Skills Test, Skate United Silver Skating Skills Test, and Adult Novice Skating Skills Test
Test expectations: Standard candidates must give a performance that is generally good. The preciseness of the footwork
should be nearly faultless, the body motion well timed, and the flow and power very good. No major consistent errors
should be in evidence. For adult 21+, adult 50+ and Skate United candidates, see rule 5034.
1. Inside three-turns/rocker S steps
2. Forward and backward outside counters
3. Forward and backward inside counters
4. Forward loops
5. Backward rocker S step sequence
6. Backward twizzles
One element may be reskated, if necessary (see rule 5040).
Diagrams are available beginning on page SS-30
Pass total: 0 to 6 points
Honors total: 7 to 12 points
Distinction total: 13 to 18 points
Approximate time for test: 12 minutes
How to perform the patterns
Each original page includes the exercise instructions and diagram. Read both together.
Exercise 1: instructions and diagram
Standard Silver 1, Skate United Silver 1, and Adult Novice 1
Inside Three-Turns/Rocker S Steps
The move should be skated across four semi-circles down the long axis of the rink. The first two lobes consist of forward inside
and backward inside three-turns and the second half of the move will consist of rocker/S step sequences. Four to five ‘sets’ of
each turn per lobe are recommended. The skater will begin with RFI3-LBI3 sets repeated four to five times (depending on rink
size). After the last LBI3 the skater should step RFI and begin the second lobe with a LFI3-RBI3 set and repeat in the same
manner. To transition to the rocker/S step sequences, the skater should perform LFI C step and change edge to RBO crossing in
front. The third lobe begins with a LBI rocker/LFI closed S step set repeated four to five times (depending on rink size). After
the last S step and cross front, the skater should step RFI and perform a RFI C step and change edge to LBO cross forward. The
fourth lobe consists of RBI rocker/RFI closed S step sets repeated four to five times. Introductory steps are optional. This move
SILVER 1 INSIDE 3-TURNS/ROCKER S STEPS
may start in either direction.
Focus: Power and quickness
XF
RFI 3
LBI 3
XF RFI 3 start
LBI 3 INTRO STEPS ARE OPTIONAL
RFI 3
XF LBI 3
RFI 3
LBI 3
XF
XF
RFI LFI 3
RBI 3
LFI 3
XF
RBI 3
LFI 3
RBI 3 XF
RBO
LFI
SSt
LBI RK R
X
B
F
IO LFI CSt
RBI 3
X
L
F
FI 3
XF
LBI RK
LFI SSt
RBO
XF
LBI RK
LFI SSt
XF
RBO LBI RK
LFI
SS
R
t
B O LBI RFI
CSt
LBIO RBI RK
RFI
SSt
XF XF XF
LBO
RBI RK
RFI SSt
LBO
XF
RBI RK
RFI SSt
LBO
R
FI
SSt
RBI
RK
LBO
XF
SS-30 2026-27 U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook
Open this source pageExercise 2: instructions and diagram
Standard Silver 2, Skate United Silver 2, and Adult Novice 2
Forward and Backward Outside Counters
The skater will perform forward outside counters followed by two backward free skating cross strokes to a backward outside
counter. Each backward counter is then followed by two forward free skating cross strokes to a forward outside counter. The
skater has the option of starting the first length with either the right or left forward counter. The second length will be performed
with forward and backward outside counters on the opposite foot. The introductory steps and complete loop are optional.
Focus: Edge quality and power
NOVICE 2 FORWARD & BACKWARD OUTSIDE COUNTERS
INTRO STEPS ARE OPTIONAL
start
RFO
*
RFO SW CTR LFO
RBO LBO SW CTR
LBO XS LBO XS
RBO XS
RBO XS
LBO
RBO SW CTR RFO XS LFO SW CTR
XS
LFO XS
LFO
XS XS
RFO
RFO XS
XS
RFO SW CTR
LFO
LBO SW CTR
RBO
LBO XS XS LBO
RBO XS
RBO XS
LBO
RBO SW CTR LFO SW CTR
RFO
*
LFO
* LOOP PATTERN OPTIONAL
END PATTERN IS OPTIONAL
2026-27 U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook SS-31
Open this source pageExercise 3: instructions and diagram
Standard Silver 3, Skate United Silver 3, and Adult Novice 3
Forward and Backward Inside Counters
The skater will perform forward inside counters followed by two backward inside rolls to a backward inside counter. Each
backward inside counter is then followed by two forward inside rolls to a forward inside counter. The skater has the option
of starting the first length with either the right or left forward counter. The second length will be performed with forward and
backward inside counters on the opposite foot. The introductory steps and the end patterns are optional.
Focus: Edge quality and power
x: 0.3914
NOVICE 3 FORWARD & BACKWARD INSIDE COUNTERS
y: 7.125
INTRO STEPS ARE OPTIONAL
start
LFI
*
LFI SW CTR
RFI
LBI RBI CTR
RBI ROLL RBI
LBI ROLL
LBI
LBI CTR RBI RFI SW CTR
LFI
RFI
RFI ROLL
cntr.: x: 2.125, y: 3.75
dim.: w - 3.4671, h - 6.75
LFI LFI
pctg. from original pdf: 101%
LFI SW CTR RFI pctg. from original pdf: 112-113%
RBI CTR
LBI
stroke notation: Helvetica LT Std/Condensed 7.5 pt.
stroke weight: 1 pt.
RBI ROLL RBI
LBI ROLL
LBI
RBI
LBI CTR RFI SW CTR
LFI
*
RFI
* LOOP PATTERN OPTIONAL
END PATTERN IS OPTIONAL
y: 0.375
SS-32 2026-27x U: 3..S85. 8F5igure Skating Rulebook
Open this source pageExercise 4: instructions and diagram
Standard Silver 4, Skate United Silver 4, and Adult Novice 4
Forward Loops
The move may be skated across the width or down the length of the rink and begins from a standing start. The skater will begin
with a LFO swing roll to prepare for the first RFO loop. The skater then pushes into a LFO loop when returning to the axis.
This is repeated twice. After the last LFO loop the skater should perform a RFI chassé to prepare for a LFI loop. This loop is
followed by a push into a RFI loop. These loops are also repeated twice to complete the move. This move may start on either
foot.
Focus: Edge quality and continuous flow
x: 0.3914
NOVICE 4 FORWARD LOOPS
y: 7.125
RFO Loop RFO Loop LFI Loop LFI Loop
cntr.: x: 2.125, y: 3.75
LFO SR
RFI Ch dim.: w - 3.4671, h - 6.75
LFO Loop LFO Loop RFI Loop RFI Loop
pctg. from original pdf: 101%
start 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-33
Open this source pageExercise 5: instructions and diagram
Standard Silver 5, Skate United Silver 5, and Adult Novice 5
Backward Rocker S Step Sequence
The skater will perform a backward inside rocker-S step followed by a deep backward outside edge. This sequence is performed
in six to eight consecutive half circles on alternating feet. The introductory steps are optional. This move may start on either
foot.
Focus: Edge quality, extension and power
SILVER 5 BACKWARD ROCKER S STEP SEQUENCE
start
XF
RBI RK
SSt
XB LBO
XF RBO
LBI RK
SSt
RBO
LBO
XF
XB
RBI RK
SSt
XB
LBO
XF RBO
LBI RK
SSt
RBO
LBO
XB XF
RBI RK
SSt
XB LBO
XF RBO
LBI RK
SSt
RBO
SS-34 2026-27 U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook
Open this source pageExercise 6: instructions and diagram
Standard Silver 6, Skate United Silver 6, and Adult Novice 6
Backward Twizzles
Backward outside twizzles: The skater will begin with a LFO three-turn changing edge into a LBO double twizzle with a two-
foot push to assist the twizzle rotation. The skater then steps forward into a RFO three-turn, changing edge into a RBO double
twizzle, completing a ‘twizzle set’. Each ‘twizzle set’ is performed three times down the length of the rink.
Backward inside twizzles: The second part of the move begins with a RFI C step whose exit edge is the entry for a LBI double
twizzle. The skater then steps on a RFI edge into a LFI C step whose exit edge is the entry for a RBI double twizzle, completing
a ‘twizzle set’. Each set is performed three times down the length of the rink. This move may start in either direction.
Introductory steps and end pattern are optional.
Focus: Turn execution and continuous flow
SILVER 6 BACKWARD TWIZZLES
start
INTRO STEPS ARE OPTIONAL
LFO 3
RBO 2-ft push
RBI Tw 2
CE
LBO Tw 2
LFI CSt
RFI
RFO 3
LBO 2-ft push
LBI Tw 2
CE
RBO Tw 2
RFI CSt
LFI
LFO 3
RBO 2-ft push
RBI Tw 2
CE
LBO Tw 2
LFI CSt
RFI
RFO 3
LBO 2-ft push
LBI Tw 2
CE
RBO Tw 2
RFI CSt
LFI
LFO 3
RBO 2-ft push
CE LBO Tw 2 RBI Tw 2
LFI CSt
RFI
RFO 3
LBO 2-ft push
LBI Tw 2
CE
RBO Tw 2
RFI CSt
END PATTERN IS OPTIONAL
start
2026-27 U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook SS-35
Open this source pageRead the general skating skills test rules
Read the full official rulebook on this site