Elements
The primary elements included in synchronized skating competitions for skaters learning the basic skills are a line, circle, wheel, block and intersection. Depending on the age group and what skill level they are at, these may incorporate forward and backward skating, simple moves like a t-stop, snowplow, slalom, bunny hop or crossovers. In these basic skill levels, competitions restrict the skaters' moves so that they learn essential skills early. The USFSA does not allow any jumps or lying on the ice. Wheels and circles may only go in one direction and may not change rotation, and the only holds the skaters may use are hand-to-hand or shoulder-to-shoulder.
Control
One of the important aspects of synchronized skating that learning the basic skills teaches is control. Circles and wheels must be round, lines must be straight and skaters must be evenly spaced in synchronized skating competitions to have a chance to earn medals. This is very difficult when performing these moves with skaters of who have different power in their strokes. Weaker skaters must learn to step it up, while the more powerful skaters must learn to keep their speed in check.
Unison
All skaters on the team must learn to move in unison, including any aesthetic movements of the arms and legs. Coaches should teach skills such as guiding and shadowing to the team to ensure a smooth performance and make the skaters move in complete harmony with each other. Skaters mainly achieve this unity through repetition and practice so that they perform as one entity during competitions.
Safety
As skaters move up in age group and skill levels in competitions, the requirements become more difficult, the speed becomes faster, and the complexity makes the skating dangerous. Since, as skaters, you are performing moves in very close proximity to each other, hitting another skater with your blade or tripping the person next to you is very possible, and learning the basic skills will help you to avoid these pitfalls in the future.
Transitions
Smooth transitions from one element to the next are critical to a team's success when competing. Skaters learning these basic skills must learn to keep their eye on the person next to them while immediately initiating the next element of the program after completing a move.
Choreography
Figure skaters who have not competed before must learn how to complete moves that are choreographed to music. One simple move that is out of synch with the music is difficult enough to recover from when skating alone, and it is almost impossible to recover from when skating as a team. The skaters must also learn to interpret the music through their moves.
