Skating Elements

The following is a glossary of figure skating terms, sorted alphabetically.

Skaters who compete under the international judging system are required to complete a planned program content sheet (PPCS) as part of their entry into competitions. Regardless of when you start competing during the qualifying season (i.e. regionals, sectionals, or U.S. Championships), you must file a planned program content sheet by Sept. 1. This is now one of the most important steps, so it's essential to not only do it, but to do it correctly.

Womens singles figure skating is the most beloved Winter Olympic event of them all even though most of us know absolutely nothing about the sport. But never fear! Five-Ring Circus is here to help with a glossary that will help you understand what it is you are watching, and why Scott Hamilton is getting so excited.

There are certain jumps that all ice skaters learn and that figure skating fans should try to recognize.

When trying to recognize jumps, the following guidelines will help. All jumps are defined by what the feet do the position of the upper body is essentially irrelevant to the jump (except insofar as it helps the skater to perform it). In fact, since almost all jumps land the same way, it is really the position of the feet on takeoff that makes the difference. So, keep your eyes on those skates just before the skater leaps into the air in almost all cases this will tell you what jump they are doing.

Photos and explanations for ice dance elements and positions.

Let's make no bones about it: the headlining sport in the Winter Olympics is figure skating. No other sport comes close to the drama, the athletes, the subplots, and politics that figure skating has.

Figure skating jumps are an element of three competitive figure skating disciplines - men's singles, ladies' singles, and pair skating but not ice dancing. Different jumps are identified by the take-off edge and the number of revolutions completed.

The evolution of the jump in women's figure skating, from 1936 to 2014.

US Figure skating viewer guide for the elements of each skating discipline.