The Cutting Edge Program

Throughout our Novice, Development, and Competitive programs, we follow The Cutting Edge speed skating skills program. The program provides motivation and incentive for all skaters to improve their skating skills outside of competitions. The emphasis of the program is on the development of confident and competent skaters. Although the context is speed skating, the emphasis is on the development of the whole child in skating. In particular, the program ensures that at whatever age a skater enters or leaves the program, they leave with improved skating skills that will serve them throughout their life. All aspects of skating are focused on in the program. In general, we test once a year (sometimes twice for younger skates). Each child will receive a card checking the skills they have achieved and a pin when they have completed a level. Because a pin is awarded for successful completion of a level, you will often hear us talk about “Pin Testing.” The following briefly describes the levels, in order.

White: Basic requirements for learning to skate: Standing, falling down and getting up, supported balance on one leg, walking forward, backward, and sidesteps on skates, T-position, two foot glide, half snowplow stop

Yellow: Basic skating skills: basic position, unassisted balancing, agility skills, snow plow stop (two feet), two foot glide, one-foot pushing, skating the length of the ice

Orange: Learning to glide and introducing basic corner skills: gliding on one foot forward and backwards, cross over walks, corner push, skate care, the start

Red: Improved orange level skills and effective stopping: clockwise and counter-clockwise turns on two feet, partner pushing, parallel stops, corner push while gliding, gliding on one foot in basic position, backwards skating, V-stop backwards

Violet: Introduction of important speed skating skills, accomplished corner skating: full left and right leg extension while skating in basic position, accomplished cross-overs in both directions, two foot slalom, forward to backward transition, accomplished backwards skating, introduction of the relay exchange

Blue: Refinement of Level 1 speed skating skills and improved general skating skills: arm swing and weight transfer, rapid parallel and V-stops, sculling, cross over weave, single leg backwards glide, demonstrate the attributes of a good speed skater over distances up to 777 m (7 laps), and the relay race.

Green: Introduction of Level 2 speed skating skills and improved skating agility: a series of skill levels emphasizing agility and complete weight transfer over gliding leg.

Black: Refinement of Level 2 speed skating skills: accomplished recovery phase in skating stride, accomplished arm swing motion on the corner, good weight transfer, general skating skills

Bronze, Silver, Gold: These skill levels represent the top levels of the program, with accomplished Level 2 speed skating skills, good agility on skates in a variety of situations both forwards and backwards, knowledge and demonstration of competitive speed skating skills.

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