Synchronized
Skating..
The sport is often compared to synchronized swimming, which has gained notoriety because of the Summer Olympics. ‘Synchro’ involves eight to twenty skaters on the ice at the same time, and is made up of complex formations and maneuvers, difficult footwork, changing hand and arm holds, deep edges, sharp changes of direction, and complete uniformity. Like figure skating, ‘Synchro’ requires grace, speed, endurance, agility and rhythm.
The Silver Leafs Synchronized Skating Team is one of our most exciting programs. Our team is very successful both on and off the ice. Our program builds on friendship, loyalty, dedication, time management and sportsmanship.
Synchronized skating consists of five basic elements:
Line: Skaters form a straight line and hold onto each others' shoulders, hands, wrists, or may perform a variety of other holds. Sometimes lines are purposely made curved, such as when the team is skating around a corner. The line is the most basic element of synchronized skating and forms the foundation for all the other maneuvers.
Block: Skaters form parallel lines, sometimes changing configuration. Lines may be of equal or of different lengths and may or may not be lined up with one another. Blocks are also performed with changing hand and arm holds and intricate footwork. Sometimes "open" blocks are performed, where the team members are disconnected but maintaining the shape of the block; this makes it far more difficult to keep spacing between the skaters and is a mark of a truly skilled team.
Circle: Skaters form one or several circles that may revolve either clockwise or counter-clockwise. Higher level teams perform changes of direction during their circles and make the circle travel across the ice as it rotates. Hand and arm holds change with skaters facing inside and/or outside the circle, and footwork and field moves may be performed. Skaters must take great care to ensure a completely round circle, even if footwork sequences require them to temporarily let go of one another.
Wheel: Skaters form lines that rotate around a center point, similar to wheels seen in professional ice shows. Like circles, wheels can travel across the ice as they rotate. Common variations of the wheel include double and triple parallel wheels, three- and four-spoke wheels, the S-wheel, and interlocking wheels. Difficulty lies in maintaining the shape of a wheel, particularly if it is traveling, while performing footwork, changing directions, and changing arm holds.
Intersecting maneuver: The most difficult and dangerous maneuver in synchronized skating. A basic intersection involves each team member skating through the space between two people in another line. Skaters must be sure that their lines are straight and that ample space is provided for others to pass through; often skaters are little more than an arm's length apart. Highly skilled teams add to the difficulty factor by performing "tricks" in the middle of intersections such as spirals or back lunges. Intersections are not always performed in two lines, either; many teams approach intersecting maneuvers in other shapes such as a triangle, a box, or two circles.
