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The Snowplow Sam program is taught in a group format; it introduces confidence building skills to young skaters aged 3-5 who are not yet ready for the Basic 1 level. Some skills covered include getting up, marching, gliding, and stopping. This program is designed to help the children overcome any uneasiness they may feel on the ice.
Skaters in Snowplow Sam are strongly encouraged to wear helmets during lessons.
The IFFSC does not test skaters at this level but rather moves them into the Basics Skills program at the discretion of the coaches.
Skaters in this program may choose to enter Basic Skills competitions which are held annually in International Falls and other nearby communities (see the Competitions & Testing page for more information).
Skaters in Snowplow Sam are strongly encouraged to wear helmets during lessons.
The IFFSC does not test skaters at this level but rather moves them into the Basics Skills program at the discretion of the coaches.
Skaters in this program may choose to enter Basic Skills competitions which are held annually in International Falls and other nearby communities (see the Competitions & Testing page for more information).
The Basic Skills program is taught in a group format with the option of additional private lessons; it introduces the fundamentals of skating to skaters age 5 and up. The eight carefully planned levels allow the beginning skater to feel comfortable on the ice while gaining the basic knowledge required for advancement into the next level. Skills are taught in progression and include: forward skating, backward skating, stops, edges, crossovers, turns and Mohawks.
Skaters in Basic 1 are strongly encouraged to wear helmets during lessons.
Testing in this program typically occurs at scheduled testing sessions throughout the skating season and badges are provided to skaters upon completion of each level.
All skaters in this program may choose to enter Basic Skills competitions which are held annually in International Falls and other nearby communities (see the Competitions & Testing page for more information).
Skaters in Basic 1 are strongly encouraged to wear helmets during lessons.
Testing in this program typically occurs at scheduled testing sessions throughout the skating season and badges are provided to skaters upon completion of each level.
All skaters in this program may choose to enter Basic Skills competitions which are held annually in International Falls and other nearby communities (see the Competitions & Testing page for more information).
The Free Skate, which now includes Pre-Free Skate, is taught in a group format with the option of additional private lessons; it continues the skater’s instruction via the Free Skate badge program. The IFFSC has adopted five Free Skate levels (Pre-Free Skate & Free Skate 1-4). Each level is divided into four sections: moves in the field, spins, dance/footwork sequence and jumps.
Testing in this program typically occurs at scheduled testing sessions throughout the skating season and badges are provided to skaters upon completion of each level.
Skaters in this program may choose to enter Basic Skills and other larger competitions which are held annually in International Falls and other nearby communities (see the Competitions & Testing page for more information).
Free Skate Club skaters in Pre-Freeskate and up are required to assist the coaches with the Snowplow Sam program.
Testing in this program typically occurs at scheduled testing sessions throughout the skating season and badges are provided to skaters upon completion of each level.
Skaters in this program may choose to enter Basic Skills and other larger competitions which are held annually in International Falls and other nearby communities (see the Competitions & Testing page for more information).
Free Skate Club skaters in Pre-Freeskate and up are required to assist the coaches with the Snowplow Sam program.
The Senior Club program is taught in a private lesson only format. Skaters must individually contract with a coach of their choice for lessons. Testing at this level is at the discretion of the skater’s coach. Skaters follow the USFSA’s system of tests which allow a skater to progress through a sequence of logical steps in his or her competitive development. The tests also establish a benchmarking structure for competitive purposes. All USFSA sanctioned competitions group skaters according to levels of tests passed such that skaters of similar abilities compete against each other. At this level, testing is judged by USFSA appointed judges and follows a much more formal process (typically this is done outside of the IFFSC and has associated fees). Test results are forwarded to the USFSA which keeps official records of each skater's accomplishments.
Each level consists of a Moves-in-the-field (MIF) and a Freestyle (FS) test. Moves-in-the-field is a technical discipline designed to improve skater's abilities in areas such as stroking, turns, edge work, etc. It is necessary for all skaters to take and pass the MIF test associated with a particular level before taking the FS test at that level. It is not possible for a skater to "opt out" of the MIF. It is ok to have a higher MIF test level than you do FS level.
The USFSA test levels are as follows: Pre-Preliminary, Preliminary, Pre-Juvenile, Juvenile, Intermediate, Novice, Junior, and Senior.
Skaters in this program may choose to enter Basic Skills and other larger competitions which are held annually in International Falls and other nearby communities (see the Competitions & Testing page for more information).
Senior Club skaters in grades 5-6 are required to assist the coaches with the Snowplow Sam program. Senior Club skaters in grades 7-12 are required to assist the coaches with the Basic Skills and Junior Club program.
Each level consists of a Moves-in-the-field (MIF) and a Freestyle (FS) test. Moves-in-the-field is a technical discipline designed to improve skater's abilities in areas such as stroking, turns, edge work, etc. It is necessary for all skaters to take and pass the MIF test associated with a particular level before taking the FS test at that level. It is not possible for a skater to "opt out" of the MIF. It is ok to have a higher MIF test level than you do FS level.
The USFSA test levels are as follows: Pre-Preliminary, Preliminary, Pre-Juvenile, Juvenile, Intermediate, Novice, Junior, and Senior.
Skaters in this program may choose to enter Basic Skills and other larger competitions which are held annually in International Falls and other nearby communities (see the Competitions & Testing page for more information).
Senior Club skaters in grades 5-6 are required to assist the coaches with the Snowplow Sam program. Senior Club skaters in grades 7-12 are required to assist the coaches with the Basic Skills and Junior Club program.