# The Pair as a Team · Figure Skating Level 5: Upper-Intermediate

Figure Skating · Level 5: Upper-Intermediate · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/figure-skating/level-5/the-pair-as-a-team/)

The Pair as a Team in Figure Skating (Level 5: Upper-Intermediate) on Insporta: 20 sourced facts behind 2 tests. Covers: building a pair.

Forming a pair, ages and abilities, and learning lifts and throws safely.

## Test 1: Building a pair

- A far stronger partner either controls the competition or holds back, and the teamwork suffers. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021))
- For athletes 21 and under the guide wants partners within 3 to 5 years of age. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021))
- For athletes 22 and over the guide allows a gap of 10 to 15 years. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021))
- Signs include no undue risk of injury, following the rules, every partner able to contribute, and blending skills. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021))
- Partners understand how to blend their skills so that the athlete with less ability performs better. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021))
- The badge 4 synchronized sit spin needs a recognizable sit position held for at least three revolutions, in unison. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021))
- The guide puts no more than four pair teams in one warm-up group. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021))
- Each level adds one badge: 1-2, then 1-3, then 1-4. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021))
- Ability grouping and age grouping come first; meaningful involvement then gives each partner a role. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021))
- B, 19 and 21, are two years apart. A and D are 21 and under but seven years apart; C, 30 and 48, are 18 years apart. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021))

## Test 2: Training safely together

- For lack of safe lifting positions the guide has the athletes work on lifts off the ice before the ice. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021))
- For a poor jump or lift the guide's correction is to work on timing and knee bend. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021))
- Practising off the ice and bending the knees helps the lifted partner jump up into the lift. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021))
- The lifting partner remains on two feet during the lift and the landing, then may extend a free leg. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021))
- The waltz jump lift uses the open dance lift position with an armpit grip. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021))
- One partner pivots while the other holds a spiral position for at least one full revolution. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021))
- In the pivot figure the man pivots in a hand-to-hand grip and the woman may be in a spiral, spread eagle or extended leg position. (Source: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27)
- Both bend in unison, the lifted partner waltz jumps with help and is set down on a back outside edge, free leg extended. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021))
- Lifts are worked off the ice first, timing and knee bend are drilled, then the lift goes onto the ice. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021))
- C has four pair teams, the guide's limit. A has six, B five and D seven. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021))

Sources: ISU Technical Panel Handbook, Pair Skating 2026/27; ISU Communication 2788 (2026/27); ISU Handbook for Referees & Judges 2026/27; Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021). Original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Pair element rules and program requirements belong to Pair Skating Rules; level features and base values are season values and are not keyed.

Take the tests: https://insporta.app/try?utm_source=book&utm_medium=referral