Four Disciplines

In single skating men and women compete individually; the other three disciplines put two or more skaters on the ice together.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 5: Single Skating · recall

Ice dance grew out of ballroom dancing, and its learners still start with dances such as the waltz, the tango and the blues.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 9: Ice Dance · recall

Pair skating is two people moving in such harmony that they read as a genuine pair, not as two single skaters.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 7: Pair Skating · recall

A synchronized team moves as a single flowing unit while it skates its footwork and elements.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 11: Synchronized Skating · recall

A single skater's program is built from jumps, spins, step sequences and choreographic sequences; lifts belong to pairs, pattern dances to ice dance.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 5: Single Skating · recall

Progressives and swing rolls to waltz timing are the first steps of the ice dance badges.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 9.1: Waltz Badge 1 · applied

Stroking and crossovers in unison and side-by-side spins open the pair skating badges.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 7.1: Pairs Badge 1 · applied

From a two-foot glide the outside foot crosses over onto an inside edge; the foot left on the outside of the circle then lifts and comes back beside it.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 7.1: Pairs Badge 1 · applied

The two-foot spin starts from a slight wind-up the other way; once it turns, pulling the arms to the chest speeds it up.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 7.1: Pairs Badge 1 · applied

D shows a whole team moving together in one formation. A is a single skater, B and C show two skaters.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 11: Synchronized Skating · applied

Lifts need a partner, so they belong to pairs (and, as dance lifts, to ice dance); spins, steps and jumps are single skating elements too.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 7: Pair Skating badges · applied

Pairs meet their first lift, the bunny hop lift, in badge 3; the waltz jump lift follows in badge 4.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 7: Pairs Badge 3 · recall

The lifting partner stays on two feet for the whole lift; the other is lifted as the bunny hop is made and set down.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 7: Pairs Badge 3 · recall

The ice dance badges are built on the waltz, the tango and the rhythm blues.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 9: Ice Dance badges · recall

Every ice dance level asks for two specified pattern dances skated to music.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 9: Ice Dance · recall

The pairs badges ask for a pair spin in the Kilian hold, side by side and turning together.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 7: Pairs Badge 3 · recall

Besides the men's, women's, pairs and ice dance events, the Olympics hold a team event in which each nation's skaters score together.

Source: Olympedia, Figure Skating overview · recall

On a six-beat swing roll the free leg is extended back for three beats, swings close past the skating foot and is held in front for three more.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 9.1: Waltz Badge 1 · applied

A six-beat progressive is timed two beats, one beat, then three beats.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 9.1: Waltz Badge 1 · applied

Panel B holds a lone figure, the way single skaters compete. Pairs or couples appear in A and D, and C is a team formation.

Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 5: Single Skating · applied