Whether you are a complete beginner lacing up for the first time or a keen spectator trying to follow a competition, an ice skating moves list is the quickest way to make sense of what happens on the ice. Figure skating, in particular, gives this ice skating moves list a rich vocabulary of jumps, spins, steps, and lifts, each with its own name, technique, and difficulty level. Commentators use these names at speed, and without a reference guide it is easy to lose track of whether a skater has just landed a triple axel or completed a layback spin. This guide organises the most important moves into clear groups, explains how each one works, and offers practical advice for learning them safely. By the end, you will be able to recognise the core elements of any programme and understand why some moves score more highly than others.
It helps to start with a distinction. “Ice skating” is a broad term that covers figure skating, ice dance, speed skating, and recreational skating. This ice skating moves list focuses mainly on figure skating, because that is where the named moves are most developed and most often searched for. Where a move belongs to ice dance or pair skating, the guide says so. Recreational skaters will still find the early sections useful, since the basic glides, turns, and stops that underpin figure skating are the same skills that make public skating enjoyable and safe.
Ice Skating Moves List: Jumps
Jumps are the most spectacular elements in any ice skating moves list, and they dominate most discussions of an ice skating moves list. In a jump, the skater leaves the ice, rotates in the air, and lands, usually on one foot travelling backwards. Jumps are named after their take-off edge, the foot used, and whether a toe pick assists the launch. They are also counted by rotation: a single rotates once, a double twice, a triple three times, and a quadruple four times. The more rotations, the higher the difficulty — and the harder the landing.
The six standard jumps fall into two families. Edge jumps take off from a skating edge without toe-pick assistance, while toe jumps use the toe pick of the free foot to launch into the air. The axel is the most famous edge jump, and the only one that takes off travelling forwards, which is why it always carries an extra half-rotation. A single axel is therefore one and a half rotations, a double axel is two and a half, and a triple axel is three and a half. That forward take-off makes the axel a natural milestone: landing one cleanly is a recognised marker of progress for competitive skaters.
The other edge jumps are the salchow, which takes off from the back inside edge of one foot and lands on the back outside edge of the other, and the loop, sometimes called the loop jump or Rittberger, which takes off and lands on the same back outside edge. The toe jumps are the toe loop, the flip, and the lutz. The toe loop is often the first toe jump skaters learn. The flip takes off from a back inside edge with toe-pick assistance, while the lutz takes off from a back outside edge, travelling on a counter-rotated entry that makes it one of the most technically demanding jumps. Judges watch the take-off edge closely, particularly on the flip and lutz, because taking off from the wrong edge changes the jump’s identity and its score.
Jump Technique Basics
In this ice skating moves list, good jumping is built on good skating. Before attempting any jump, a skater needs secure edges, controlled speed, and a stable landing position. Coaches typically introduce jumps in a careful order, starting with small hops and half-rotation exercises on the ice, then moving to single jumps, and only later to doubles. Off-ice training — including strength work, flexibility, and rotation exercises — supports the on-ice work, but it never replaces it. The most common beginner mistake is rushing to a harder jump before the landing of the easier one is reliable. A clean single jump, landed with flow and control, is always more valuable than a messy attempt at a double.
Ice Skating Moves List: Spins
Spins are the second great family in any ice skating moves list. In a spin, the skater rotates rapidly around a vertical axis on one spot on the ice, usually on one foot. The classic positions are the upright spin, the sit spin, and the camel spin. In an upright spin, the skater stands tall with the free leg held in various positions. In a sit spin, the skater lowers into a seated position, with the skating knee bent deeply and the free leg extended forwards. In a camel spin, the body is held horizontally, with one leg extended behind and the arms outstretched, creating a long, elegant line.
Beyond these basics, skaters perform many variations. A layback spin is an upright spin in which the head and shoulders arch backwards, creating a distinctive, expressive shape. A Biellmann spin is an extreme upright variation in which the skater pulls the free leg up behind the head, requiring exceptional flexibility. A flying spin begins with a jump into the spinning position, adding height and difficulty. Combination spins link two or more positions in a single spin, changing foot or position while maintaining rotation. Judges reward speed, centring, control, and the quality of each position, not simply the number of rotations.
For beginners working through this ice skating moves list, spinning can feel disorientating at first, and dizziness is normal. Coaches usually start with two-foot spins, then move to one-foot upright spins, teaching skaters to find a fixed point and to control their entry and exit. A well-centred spin stays in one place on the ice, while a travelling spin drifts across the surface. Centring is a skill that improves with practice, and it depends on balance, core strength, and a clean entry edge. As with jumps, patience pays: a slow, centred spin is a better foundation than a fast, wobbly one.
Footwork, Turns, and Glides
In this ice skating moves list, footwork connects the big elements of a programme, and it is often where a skater’s quality is most visible. The basic vocabulary of this ice skating moves list includes forward and backward crossovers, which build speed around the rink, and a family of turns that change direction or edge. A three-turn is a one-foot turn that traces the shape of the number three on the ice, changing from a forward edge to a backward edge. A bracket turn is similar but traces a different curve. A rocker and a counter are one-foot turns that keep the skater travelling on the same curve while changing edge. Mohawks and choctaws are two-foot turns that change feet while changing direction.
Step sequences bring these turns together into a flowing passage of skating, usually performed to the music and covering much of the rink. In competition, step sequences are judged on difficulty, variety, and musical interpretation, as well as on the cleanliness of the edges. A skater who performs deep, secure edges with clear body movement will score more highly than one who rushes through shallow steps. For recreational skaters, the same skills matter in a simpler way: secure crossovers, confident turns, and smooth transitions between forward and backward skating make public sessions safer and more enjoyable.
Gliding positions add artistry to the technical vocabulary. A spiral is a glide on one foot with the free leg extended behind, held high and steady, creating a long line across the ice. An Ina Bauer is a glide with both feet on the ice, one travelling forwards and one backwards, with the body arched or leaning. A spread eagle is a glide with both feet turned out, travelling on inside or outside edges. These positions appear in programmes as moments of extension and expression, and they also serve as excellent balance training for skaters at every level.
Pair Skating and Ice Dance Moves
Pair skating adds a whole layer to the ice skating moves list. Pair lifts, in which one partner lifts the other overhead while skating, are among the most dramatic elements in the sport. Lifts are classified by the hold used and the position of the lifted partner, and they require strength, timing, and trust. Throw jumps, in which one partner assists the other into a jump, combine the technique of a solo jump with the timing of a partnership. Pair spins, performed side by side in matching positions, test synchronisation as well as individual technique. The death spiral, in which one partner pivots low to the ice while the other circles around, is a signature pair element that looks effortless only because of years of practice.
Within this ice skating moves list, ice dance has its own vocabulary, centred on pattern dances, lifts, twizzles, and intricate step sequences performed in hold. A twizzle is a travelling, multi-rotation turn on one foot, performed by both partners in unison. Ice dance lifts are shorter and more varied than pair lifts, with strict rules about how long they may last and which positions are permitted. The emphasis in ice dance is on musicality, edge quality, and partnership, rather than on high jumps. Spectators who enjoy the storytelling side of skating often find ice dance the most accessible discipline to follow, because its elements are closely tied to the music.
Complete Moves Reference Table
The table below gathers the moves in this ice skating moves list into a single reference. Use it while watching a competition or planning a practice session, and return to the sections above for fuller explanations.
| Move | Category | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Axel | Edge jump | Forward take-off, extra half-rotation |
| Salchow | Edge jump | Back inside edge take-off |
| Loop | Edge jump | Same-foot take-off and landing |
| Toe loop | Toe jump | Toe-pick assisted take-off |
| Flip | Toe jump | Back inside edge with toe pick |
| Lutz | Toe jump | Back outside edge, counter-rotated entry |
| Upright spin | Spin | Tall position, fast centred rotation |
| Sit spin | Spin | Seated position on a bent knee |
| Camel spin | Spin | Horizontal body, leg extended behind |
| Layback spin | Spin | Arched back, expressive upper body |
| Three-turn | Turn | Number-three tracing on the ice |
| Spiral | Glide | One-foot glide, free leg held high |
| Pair lift | Pair element | Partner lifted overhead while skating |
| Twizzle | Ice dance | Travelling multi-rotation turn in unison |
How to Learn Safely, Step by Step
Learning from an ice skating moves list works best when the list is treated as a map, not as a race. Start with secure forward and backward skating, confident stops, and controlled crossovers. Add one-foot glides, then simple turns, then the first small jumps and spins under a coach’s supervision. Group lessons at a local rink are an excellent starting point, because they combine structured progression with the safety of supervised ice time. Private coaching becomes valuable once the basics are secure and a skater wants to refine technique or prepare for tests and competitions.
Equipment and preparation matter as much as ambition. Well-fitted skates, with blades sharpened appropriately for the skater’s level, make learning far easier than blunt or poorly fitted hire skates. Warm-up off the ice, including gentle stretching and balance work, reduces the risk of muscle strain. On the ice, falling is part of learning, and coaches teach safe falling and recovery early: bend the knees, keep the hands in, and get up promptly and carefully. Protective habits learned at the start stay with a skater for years, and they are worth more than any single trick.
For spectators, the same ice skating moves list works in reverse. Pick one element family per viewing — jumps in one programme, spins in the next — and watch for the details described above: the take-off edge, the landing control, the centring of a spin, the depth of an edge. Within a few viewings, the vocabulary will feel natural, and competitions will become far more rewarding to watch. Many fans find that learning the names of the moves deepens their appreciation of the sport’s artistry as well as its athleticism.
Readers interested in performance and music may also enjoy our guide to a musical term used for sudden dramatic effect and our practical guide to fitting safety equipment correctly, both of which share this guide’s focus on getting the details right.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest jump on an ice skating moves list?
The toe loop is generally considered the most accessible of the six standard jumps, followed by the salchow. Both are usually introduced before the loop, flip, lutz, and axel.
What is the hardest jump in figure skating?
The quadruple axel is the hardest jump currently performed in competition, because its forward take-off adds an extra half-rotation to an already four-rotation jump. The triple axel remains a major milestone for elite skaters.
What is the difference between a spin and a jump?
A jump leaves the ice and rotates in the air before landing, while a spin rotates on the spot on the ice, usually on one foot. Both are judged on control, position, and execution.
How long does it take to learn the basic moves?
Basic glides, stops, and crossovers can be learned over a few months of regular practice. Single jumps and one-foot spins typically take longer, and progress depends on frequency of practice, coaching, and individual aptitude.
Is ice dance part of figure skating?
Ice dance is a discipline within the broader figure skating family, but it does not include the high jumps of singles and pair skating. Its focus is on steps, lifts, twizzles, and musical interpretation in partnership.
Conclusion
A good ice skating moves list does more than name tricks. It reveals the structure of a sport: jumps that test power and rotation, spins that test balance and centring, footwork that tests edge quality, and pair and dance elements that test partnership. Whether you are learning to skate or learning to watch, the names in this guide give you a language for what you see on the ice. Start with the basics, practise them until they feel secure, and let the harder moves arrive in their proper order. The ice rewards patience, and every skater — from a first-time beginner to an Olympic medallist — has built their repertoire one careful element at a time.