Terms and Definitions - Draft

[SeaniBu]

You had a great idea a while back, Seanibu, to get together a glossary of skating terms for GS. Maybe someone will have the ambition to follow up on it, for the benefit of both new fans and old.

Maybe I should do that as an educational experience for me. It might mean a lot of proof reading from others though.

Maybe we should start a thread to brainstorm which terms should be included and then we can work on putting it together. If we start with a list of terms we can break up the work and have everyone make sure we aren't forgetting anthing.

I don't know where this will go for reference later or If I should have started this here on the "Edge" or "Lutz"

I think it would be nice to have here at GS "somewhere" for easy reference.

So let's all pitch in Feel free to correct me at will

I think it might be good to include slang terms used here as well, like "snark" - my definition would not be good for that.

The Mods I guess will decide what they want to do with it and hopefully edit/correct and contribute.

[SeaniBu]

Axel Jump
Named after Axel Paulsen, this jump is only one of 2 that involves jumping from the forward position. A skater takes off with his forward outside edge and lands on the back outside edge of the opposite foot facing the opposite direction. A single Axel actually has 1 1/2 revolutions; a double Axel consists of 2 and 1/2, etc....

Biellmann spin / possition
Named after Denise Biellmann, it is performed almost exclusively by women. Skating or Spinning on one blade - the skater reaches behind them to grab on the blade of the free skate, pulling the free leg above the head.

"The Boards"
The wall around the Ice surface / the rink is often referred to as "The Boards."

Bunny Hop Jump
Skating forward, hop from one blade onto the opposite blades' toepick, then kick the free leg to the front as you vault off the toepick landing back on the original jumping blade - the kicking leg.

Camel spin
A spin performed with the free leg extended behind the skater, torso is leaning forward, both leg and torso are parallel to the ice.

Choreography
Series of planned movements, steps, elements or situations, much like dancing arrangements.

Code of Points ~ COP, CoP, The code
A scoring system which specific point values are assigned to each element performed using the GOE and PCS.

Combination (s) ~ Combos
Two elements are performed in succession, i.e. the second jump is done with the same edge of the blade from the first jump landed. The Spin changes elements within the same spin.

Draw/Skating Order
The sequence and groups in which skaters will compete in competition.

Edges
Two edges on both sides of a grooved center/hollow of the blade.

Edge Jump (s)
As in the Axel, Salchow and loop. Taking off from the blades edge, keeping free blade from touching the ice.

Falling Leaf Jump
This jump starts with half of a turn from a loop. Starting with the rear outside edge and beginning to turn, then kicking (reaching is acceptable) the free leg up and forward at the same time as pushing off the rear outside edge to gain as much hight as possible. Both legs should be perpendicular to the ice (splits) and landing on the forward blades toepick. At this point they will push with the landed toepick onto the front inside edge of the opposite foot.

Flip Jump
Takeing off from the back inside edge, and "picking" with the toepick from the free blade onto the ice "vaulting" the skater upward. Then complete the rotation(s) landing on the back outside edge of the skate that was used to "vault"/the used toepick.

Flutz
A term for a mistake durring a Lutz. Changing from a back outside edge to an inside edge right before takeoff, thus deming the Lutz a Flip.

Flying spin(s) ~ ?
Entering a spin with a jump.

Free skate/Long program ~ FS, LP
Usally the second phase of competition in singles and pairs, the first phase being the short program/SP. Lasting; 4 minutes for ladies. 4 minutes, 30 seconds for men, 4 minutes, 30 seconds for senior pairs, (what about dance?) can very 10 seconds without deduction. (is that violation consideration true to all ?)

Grade of execution ~GOE
A score each judge awards for technical elements performed by the skater or skaters.

Jump
Leaving the surface of the ice under skaters own power and landing one the blades. Most jumps should be landed on the right back outside edge.

Layback spin
Required by Ladies in the SP, spining in an upright position, droping the head and shoulders backward and arching the back. Free leg (right) should lift up and away from the body / center of gravity. Occasionally the Gentlemen will perform them.

Loop Jump
Taking off from the back outside edge of one blade and landing on the back outside edge of the same skate. This is often called "Rittberger" in Europe.

Loop
Drawing the shape of a loop on the ice with the skaters blade. Was important in school figures, skaters occasionally include them during slow sections of free programs.

Lutz Jump
Named after Alois Lutz, it is using the back outside edge of the blade landing on the back outside edge of the opposite blade. Aproching backwards on a curve, tapping the toe pick on the opposite blade into the ice, rotating in the opposite direction of the enterance curve.

"OBM"
Olympic Bronze Medal.

"OGM"
Olympic Gold Medal.

"OSM"
Olympic Silver Medal.

The Podium
The place where the skaters receive their Medals during the ceremony.

PCS
The Program Component Score of the elements artistic qualities in the performance. Examples of such in Singles and Pairs are; choreography/composition, execution /performance, interpretation, skills and transitions.

Referee ~ Refs
Responsibilities; The draw/order, violations/deductions, timing of the performance, the ice surface and conduct.

Salchow Jump
Named after Ulrich Salchow, is taking off from the back inside edge of one foot and landing on the back outside edge of the opposite foot swinging the free leg.

Scale of Value ~ SOV
The tables listing each element's base value according to its difficulty.

Scratch spin
Starting on one forward outside edge, the free leg is extended forward with the arms out to the side. Pulling in the free leg and drawing your arms close to your body as the free skate pushes down and accelerating the spining revelutions.

Short program ~ SP
The first competition in junior and senior Singles and Pairs programs. There are eight required elements in the SP, which can last up to 2 minutes, 50 seconds without violation.

"Skate Gods"
1. Normally a way of blaming bad performances and judging on a higer power.
2. Kurt Browning gave Scott Hamilton the title of "Skate God for Life" after his return from cancer in 97.

Sit spin
A spin performed in a sitting position. Low to the ice, the skater spins with one leg (the spinning leg) bent and the other leg (the free leg) extended forward.

Step sequence/Footwork
Choreographed steps executed at a point in the program to the music.

Spiral
Usally performed by Ladies, extending the free leg behind or in front of them as they glide fluidly accross the ice.

Spiral Sequence
Usally performed by Ladies - men have the choice to perform spirals as connecting moves, is a series of spiral possitions executed while making a specific pattern in the rink.

Stroking
Strides using edges to gain speed. There are various methods and patterns used for stroking, some use outside in addition to or instead of inside edges.

Technical specialist
They identify the elements that a skater performs during a program.

Toe Loop Jump
Tapping with the toe pick of the free blade on the ice to "vault" upward and landing on the back outside edge of the opposite blade.

Toepick
The "teeth" in the front portion of the blades, unique to figure skates. What you "pick" to grab the Ice with the tip of your blade.

Total Element Score ~ TES
The base values of the all the elements combined with their (positive or negative) grades of execution.

Total Segment Score (TSS)
Score for a single portion of the competition by Adding the total element score/TES to the program component score/PCS and subtracting any deductions achiving the TSS.

Twizzles
Ice dance teams are required to perform sequences of quick traveling turns performed on one blade simontaniusly and side by side, but not touching. Single or Pair skaters also include them in step sequences. Dance teams and pairs often have one partner perform a twizzle. In some variations a hand hold or touching the other partner is performed.

"Wuzrobbed"
1. "I think another skater should have placed higher"
2. "boo hoo, my fave didn't win"
3. A criminal outrage "that we need to take to the streets" and protest.

[Joesitz]

Seanibu - This thread will be going out of reach eventually. all of these terms and definitions are a click away from the proper link.

Joe

[SeaniBu]

Seanibu - This thread will be going out of reach eventually. all of these terms and definitions are a click away from the proper link.

Joe

Where is this link, I know of no link that has a comprehensive Glossary of terms, particularly a "friendly format" that includes terms used by posters. I don't think going as far as to include Nick names is a necessity, but for instance -

JAT
Just a thought.

- could also be included for new forum members or people new to forums.

I was thinking the point was to be self sufficient, to have a GS, by GS for GS.
If Mathman is wrong about me having a good idea then I guess so be it.
Anyhoo, all you Mods work it out.

[Grgranny]

I have a problem with the word bighting. Is that some term I never heard of or what?

[SeaniBu]

I have a problem with the word bighting. Is that some term I never heard of or what?

Thank you Grgranny!

This is where help is much appreciated, is it just said as a "tap?" - or at least bite.

I think all of us working on this will be enlightening and maybe kinda fun.

[gkelly]

A few comments...

Biellmann spin / possition
Named for Denise Biellmann, it is performed almost exclusively by women. Skating or Spinning one one blade - the skater reaches behind them to grab on the blade of the free skate, pulling the free leg as horizontal as possable.

I think you mean as vertical as possible. How about just saying "pulling the free leg above the head"?

Camel spin
One leg extended behind them in the air, parallel to the ice.

The copyeditor in me wants to edit to "A spin performed with the free leg extended behind the skater, parallel to the ice." Actually it should also mention that the torso is leaning forward also parallel to the ice.

Code of Points ~ COP, CoP, The code
Point regulations for skaters decerning the point values to elements performed.

By "decerning" do you mean "discerning"? I don't think that's the word you want here. How about defining the code of points as "A scoring system in which specific point values are assigned to each element performed." (And add a mention of grades of execution and component scores as well?)

Free skate/Long program ~ FS, LP
Usally the second phase of competition in singles and pairs, the first phase being the short program/SP. Lasting 4 minutes for ladies. 4 minutes,30 seconds for men, can verry 10 seconds without deduction.

And 4:30 for senior pairs. Please specify that these time limits are for senior level -- at lower levels they're shorter.

Layback spin
Performed by women (internationally), spining in an upright position, droping the head and shoulders backward and arching the back.

It's a required element for women in the short program, but some men do perform them.

Loop
Taking off from the back outside edge of one blade and landing on the back outside edge of the same skate.

You need the word "jump" in here somewhere. And you might want to mention that this jump is often called "Rittberger" in Europe.
There is also a move called a loop that involves actually drawing the shape of a loop on the ice that was important in school figures, which skaters occasionally included during slow sections of free programs but not so much any more now that hardly anyone learns and trains school figures.
Actually you should probably start each jump definition with something like "a jump that," or include the word "jump" in the name of the element, just to be clear for anyone reading who may be completely new to skating terminology.

Scale of Value ~ SOV
The elements base value according to its difficulty.

How about "The tables listing each element's base value according to its difficulty" ?

Short program ~ SP
The first competition in singles and pairs. There are eight required elements in the SP, which can last up to 2 minutes, 50 seconds without violation.

Again, specify that that time limit is for junior and senior programs. (It's shorter for novice and intermediate/pre-novice.)

Spiral
Usally performed by Ladies, extending the free leg behind or in front of them as they glide fluidly accross the ice.

Spiral Sequence
Usally performed by Ladies, is a series of spiral possitions exsicuted while making a spisific pattern in the rink.

You might want to clarify that ladies are required to do spiral sequences, whereas men have the choice to perform spirals as connecting moves.
Correct spelling: executed, specific

Stroking
Strides using both inside edges to gain speed.

There are various methods and patterns used for stroking, some use outside in addition to or instead of inside edges.

Total Element Score ~ TES
The judged scores combinde for all elements performed in a program.

More accurately, "The base values of the all the elements combined with their (positive or negative) grades of execution"

Twizzles
Pairs performing a series of turns on a single blade simontaniusly side by side but not touching.

What a twizzle actually is would better be defined as something like "Quick traveling turns performed on one blade."
Then you could also mention that ice dance teams (not pairs) are required to perform sequences of synchronized twizzles side by side by not touching.
(Single or pair skaters also include them in step sequences, a dance teams and pairs often have one partner perform a twizzle while in some variation of hand hold touching the other partner.)

[SeaniBu]

A few comments...

This is great GKelly! Thank you! Awesome feedback. Did you maybe want to add one or two? I hope so, but not everyone has the fluctuation in work schedule I do, so I understand. I 'spose what I could do now is start looking things up and writing them down after I read them, but how I interpreted their meanings so as no "plagiaristic" aspects are present.

I only tackled the Twizzel because that was the only thing I "thought" I knew with Dance specifics. I would love if the feedback that has happened would keep happening.

I think this is a fun and cool idea. And if there are slightly differentiating ideas on how something should be defined there is no reason not to put both down.
"Some also feel that this is a ..."

I will keep marking the "corrections" - which in my case I am more than comfortable accepting regarding the topic - in red. And on the spelling too, I am proofreader dependent!

I hope no one minds If I copy and paste their Definitions in place of mine, I will use red and the post with the correction suggestion will still be up. I plan on takeing NO credit for any of this, other than thinking it is a good Idea we have our own Def.s at GS for any future Members or people like me who just "think" or have an "Idea." - well and MM bring it up again and Theatregirl suggesting we could all work on it.

Sometimes I find when I leave GS in search of something I get lost looking around and loose the time and start looking at other things etc.., hence it then remains an unsurety.

[gkelly]

Leaving the surface of the ice under skaters own power and landing one the blades.

Loop Jump
Taking off from the back outside edge of one blade and landing on the back outside edge of the same skate. This is often called "Rittberger" in Europe.

"Rittberger" is another name for the loop jump, not for jumps in general.

[SeaniBu]

"Rittberger" is another name for the loop jump, not for jumps in general.

OOPs

[SeaniBu]

The new listed Terms I am copying and putting in a text file and will post around 30.

Busy weekend still ahead.

[R.D.]

hey, Appreciate all your hard work on this.

[SeaniBu]

Updates to "Draft 1"

Does anyone want to help? Please claim the following if so - I will delete ones taken as quickly as possible (when ever I see it)

Any other types of spins

The different types of lifts

Carriage

Crossover(s)

Divisions / age groups

Dance specific elements.

Dance Programs - what are they and length

Mazurka

Mirroring

Russian Split Jump

Transitions - what are they?

The ones that you don't, paste onto the end of your post. As far as spins and lifts I guess we'll figure that out - what is missing. Or someone could just list all the "spin variations" they know and we'll go from there.

I figure that we can start a "Draft 2" list on this thread keeping in alphabetical order, once another 30 term/Defs or so come up I can compile in a couple of different ways so don't worry about that yet. I'll deal with the confusing part of getting it together and looking for duplicates and missing, etc... but help will always be appreciated.

[Ladskater]

Joe is right. Here are a couple of links that are good:

http://www.skatejournal.com/techindex.html

http://oasis.dit.upm.es/~jantonio/pe...naje/index.htm

[SeaniBu]

Thanks for the links, they are useful and have been.

Just to be perfectly clear, I don't think the intent is to be 100% thorough in compiling this. I don't think any of those lists are either. Just something that is GS's that can provide simple answers a majority of the time without leaving the site.

I am glad Joe has pointed out the fact a complete and up-dateable glossary is likely an impossibility - for whoever may have not realized that to start with.

I would still think that terms like "snark" or other slang could be thrown in there quite easily as well. I was aware, and I think some were too, that there are other places to find these definitions - Skate Journal was a bookmark I had and forgot all about it - but as others have said, it will be nice for some. Particularly in the basics, clarification and this forums "lingo."