Jumps: In figure skating six jumps are listed: the Salchow, the Toe Loop, the Loop, the Flip, the Lutz and the Axel.

These jumps can be performed with one rotation turn in the air (single jump), two rotation turns in the air (double jump), three rotation turns in the air (triple jump) and even, at high level , four turns of rotation in the air (quadruple jump). For example, we will say that a skater has performed a “triple Salchow” if he performed a Salchow with three rotations in the air.

The difference between jumps is at the start of the jump (in the air and at the finish, the position is always the same regardless of the jump).

The Salchow, the Loop and the Axel are “edge jumps” since the skater uses the support of his blade on the ice to achieve the start of his jump on one foot.

For a skater with a direction of rotation from right to left (the majority) the Salchow is started backwards on the left leg (on the inside edge) and the Loop backwards on the right leg (on the outside edge and the feet crossed).

The Axel, known as the King Jump, presents a singularity since it is the only jump to start forward, the skater therefore performs 1 ½ turns of rotation (2 ½ turns for a double axel, 3 ½ turns for a triple axel…).

The Toe Loop, Flip and Lutz are "toe jumps" because the skater, to trigger the jump, uses both the support of a blade sliding on the ice and, with his other foot, a movement of " piqué” of the tip of its blade for right-handers. The Toe Loop is started backwards with a “dive” of the left foot, the Flip is started backwards with a “dive” of the right foot and support on the inside edge and the Lutz is started backwards with a “dive” of the right foot and an external edge support. The Lutz is most often preceded by a long preparation during which the skater slides backwards.

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Spins: Spins are rotations on the ice. A good pirouette is one that turns quickly and stays on its axis. The positions in the pirouettes are varied and number 4 (standing – sitting – lying down – arched) according to the imagination of the skaters… The positions combined according to the imagination of the skaters requiring great flexibility and significant strength and are those which pay off the most points in competition.

Spiral sequences: Spirals are sequences of balanced positions on one foot requiring great flexibility (for example raising your leg with one arm until you obtain the “split splits” position). These positions must be performed on wide curves allowing the entire track to be covered and with good movement speed.

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Step sequences:Step sequences are sequences of flips and varied steps that the skater performs either along the length of the track (in a straight line or “serpentine”) or across the width of the track (in a large circle).

The complexity of the sequence, the speed of the execution of the steps and the movements that the skater performs at the same time with the upper body are appreciated by the judges even more if they are executed on a single support.

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(source: French Ice Sports Federation, http://www.ffsg.org/disciplines/artistique/lexique.html)