This page is designed to be an index to general questions about our skating programs and includes the definition of some terms you may see in our literature or hear around the rink.
Each term in the index at right is linked to the relevant entry below. Where appropriate, entries provide links to other pages on our website for further information.
You can also return home, or go to our forms and other downloads page.
It is the policy of YFSC to require signed medical release forms of all its members, prior to taking the ice. Release forms can be downloaded from our forms page here.
If an accident occurs, notify the session chair immediately. If the injury is serious, or might be, do not move the injured person. The session chair will then attempt to notify the parent or emergency contact if the parent cannot be immediately located.
Yale Police: 111 (campus phone) | (203) 432-4400
Individuals not affiliated with Yale University may join the YFSC as Associate members (as opposed to Regular members). Associate members may not vote in Club elections but otherwise enjoy the same member benefits as Regular members. 2004-05 Associate dues for the first member of a non-Yale family are $70. Dues for each additional member of the family are $20.
We use the U.S. Figure Skating's Basic Skills program for our group instruction. This program is designed to teach the fundamentals of figure skating to those who have not figure skated before -- both children and adults.
2004-05 Basic Skills Schedule:
Saturday: 9:10a - 10:20a (lesson 9:10 - 9:40)
Sunday A: 10:30a - 11:40p (lesson 11:10 - 11:40)
Sunday B 11:50a - 1:00p (lesson 11:50 - 12:20)
For the 2004-05 year, sessions run 13 weeks each term, and registration is $150 each term. For more information, please see our Programs page.
The U.S. Figure Skating Bridge Program is intended for skaters who have completed the Basic Skills Program to develop the fundamental elements of figure skating that are found in Moves in the Field, Freestyle, Ice Dance, and Synchronized Team Skating. The Bridge program will be offered at no extra charge in a 30-minute group lesson by one of our coaches in the Saturday morning Practice Ice session, from 7:30a-8:00a. Skaters must be able to skate with confidence and have passed Basic level 7, Adult level 3, or equivalent.
Our annual brochure is designed to acquaint you with figure skating and the skating program of the YFSC. Please read it carefully and feel free to contact any of the officers if you have questions. Our 2004-05 brochure is now available for download above.
Our 2004-05 calendar is now available for download above.
Clothing for skating should be warm and non-restrictive, including pants, a warm sweater, one pair of thin socks, and knitted mittens or gloves. Girls who are more advanced often like to wear tights and a short skating dress. For more information, including local sources of skating apparel, please visit our Resources page.
Ice Dance consists of a number of set pattern dances of graded difficulty. Each dance has a set sequence of steps which must be learned; having learned a dance, it may be skated with different partners since everyone learns the same steps and patterns. Our Dance session is open to all ice dancers. Note that skaters doing the called dance have the right of way, and moves and freestyle private lessons and practice are not permitted during this session.
Sunday 7:00p - 8:30p, 12 weeks in fall ($180), 13 weeks in spring ($195)
This year, a 30-minute Introduction to Dance lesson will be offered from 7:00-7:30 at no additional charge. People interested only in the group lesson may choose to sign up for just the first 1/2 hour at a reduced registration rate. For more information, see our Programs page.
Helmets: We require helmets for all our Snowplow Sam, Basic 1 and Basic 2, Adult 1, and Hockey skaters. Look for a skating helmet that covers the back and sides of the head, as well as the forehead and top. Hockey, skateboarding, inline skating, or ski helmets may be a better choice than bicycle helmets, especially for older children and adults.
Accessories: We recommend a skate bag to carry and protect the skates. Some useful items to put in it are a clean rag, cloth blade covers, skate guards, and spare gloves. Use skate guards whenever you walk around off the ice. When you take your skates off, remove the guards and carefully dry the blades. Do not put the guards back on since they cause the blades to rust. The best way to protect your blades while they are in your bag is to use cloth blade covers.
All blades become dull after prolonged use and need periodic sharpening. Special equipment and expertise are required to sharpen figure skate blades properly. For more information, including local skate shops that can sharpen figure skate blades, please visit our Resources page.
Very good equipment is important. It is better to buy good used skates which fit well than a new pair to "grow into" or discount store skates. Some reliable brands are Don Jackson, Harlick, Klingbeil, Riedell, and SP Teri for boots and Wilson and MK for blades, but avoid "bottom line" skates. Suitable skates have leather uppers and soles, not vinyl or plastic, and the blades are attached with screws, not rivets. Beware of lower quality skates sold by mass merchandisers and some sport shops. For more information, including the names and addresses of some local skate shops, please visit our Resources page.
Hockey boots should be comfortable, with the heel snug and the toes lying flat. Hockey skates are likely to run smaller than street shoes and should not be purchased with too much room to grow into or they will break down prematurely. Two good brands of hockey skates are Bauer and CCM.
For more information, including the names of some local dealers, please visit our Resources page.
Skaters may wish to arrange for private lessons with our approved professionals. Private lessons must be appropriate to the type of session, but otherwise may be scheduled at any time except during group lessons. Fees vary but are approximately $12 - $15 for a 15-minute individual lesson, or around $25 for a half-hour. You may speak with the session chair for help in arranging lessons or advice on selecting a professional (the lesson does not need to be with the assigned group instructor).
For more information, please visit our Pro page.
Basic Skills: $150 each term
Practice Ice: $195 each term
Moves: $100 fall, $110 spring
Freestyle: $120 fall, $130
Dance: (first 1/2 hour) $90 fall, $100 spring
Dance: (full session) $180 fall, $195 spring
Freestyle skating refers to the spins, jumps, and choreographed programs that many people find so attractive. The Freestyle session is primarily for skaters working on freestyle skating, but Dance and Moves practice and instruction are also permitted at the Freestyle session. Skaters working on programs may have their music played, during which time they have the right of way, but they must wear one of the bright vests to make themselves noticeable. Playing ice dance music, skating dances with a partner, or skating full moves or dance patterns during this session are allowed only with special permission of the session chair.
Sundays, 5:00p- 6:00p
Fall term is 12 weeks ($120); Spring term is 13 weeks ($130)
Space permitting, our sessions are open to qualified USFS member skaters on a per-visit basis upon payment of the established guest fee for the session. Guesting is not allowed in the Basic Skills sessions, however.
Fees are shown below. Note that full-time Yale students with a student I.D. card and YFSC members receive a discounted guest fee.
2004-05 Guest Fees:
| Practice Ice: Freestyle Moves in the Field Dance |
Yale students $10 $7 $6 $10 |
YFSC members $20 $13 $11 $20 |
non-members $22 $15 $13 $22 |
For more information about any of our sessions, please visit our Programs page.
Hockey instruction is offered in our Basic Skills program on Sunday (B), 11:50a-1:00p (lesson 11:50a-12:20p). The Hockey Curriculum for children is designed to teach the fundamentals of hockey skating to be successful in game situations. In four badge levels, skaters learn to maneuver and be agile on the ice. All elements are taught without a stick or puck, and hockey gear (other than helmet and skates) is not required. For more information, please see our Programs page
Membership in USFS is required of all Yale Figure Skating Club members and may be maintained through our Club as Home Club Members of the YFSC, or through another club as Non-Home Club Members of the YFSC. For more information about USFS membership, please visit the USFS web site at http://www.usfsa.org.
People who are affiliated with Yale University (faculty, staff, fellows, students, or alumni) and members of their immediate family may join the YFSC as Regular members. Others may join as Associate members. Fees are listed below:
First member in Yale-affiliated family (Regular membership): $45
First member in non-Yale family (Associate membership): $70
Each additional family member (Regular or Associate membership) $20
Club membership is on an annual basis, and dues are valid for the whole skating season. All dues and fees must be received by the membership chair before a skater is allowed on the ice. For more information, please see our Club page.
Moves in the Field are patterns of basic stroking, steps, and turns which help the skater master clean and precise footwork with speed. These moves form the foundation for Freestyle and Dance. The Moves in the Field session is intended for skaters to practice their patterns.
This year, a 20 minute Introduction to Moves lesson (6:00-6:20) will be offered during the session at no extra charge.
6:00p - 6:50p, running 12 weeks in fall ($100), and 13 weeks in the spring ($110). Guesting is also permitted in this session.
The Yale Figure Skating Club (YFSC) is sanctioned by United States Figure Skating (USFS) and operates within the framework of the Yale University Department of Athletics. Membership in USFS is required of all Club members and may be maintained through our Club as Home Club Members, or through another club as Non-Home Club Members.
The business of the YFSC is conducted by an executive committee consisting of officers elected by adult Regular YFSC members at an annual meeting held each year shortly after the end of the skating season. All members and parents are encouraged to participate in Club activities throughout the year. The officers for the 2004-05 season are listed below:
2004-05 Officers:
| Bobbi Nesheim, President, 288-5904 Michael Fischer, Vice President, 288-9599 T.P. Ma, Vice President, 481-4710 Stephanie Davidson, Secretary, 672-5985 Mary Lee, Treasurer, 777-8517 Bonnie Collier, Test Chair, 795-5088 |
Marilyn Wilkes, Membership, 937-6939 Martina Brueckner, Director, 397-1903 Jane Gillis, Director, 865-8439 Terrie Ulery, Director, 389-1409 Wayne Dean, ex officio, 432-1431 |
For more information, see our Club page or the USFS site (http://www.usfsa.org).
Yale Police 111 from campus phone (Zamboni Room), or 432-4400 from an outside phone
Ingalls Rink: (203) 432-0876.
YFSC Voice Mail: (203) 432-1233
See also our list of Pros or YFSC officers
Practice Ice is open to higher level Basic Skills skaters as well as to more advanced skaters. The purpose is to give skaters more time for individual practice and for private or small-group lessons in beginning Moves in the Field, Freestyle, and Dance. The USFS Bridge Program will be offered at no extra charge in a 30-minute group lesson by one of our coaches during this session.
Saturday 7:30a-9:00a (lesson 7:30a-8:00a)
Fall and Spring sessions both run 13 weeks, and registration is $195 for each session. Guesting is also permitted in this session. For more information about this or other sessions, please see our Programs page.
Our active approved professional skating instructors are listed below. All are required to adhere to standards set by the Executive Committee. Most are members of the Professional Skaters Association (PSA), an organization which promotes the highest standards in teaching and provides seminars for its members to expand knowledge of teaching techniques. All are covered by the Club's blanket liability insurance policy when teaching Club-sponsored group lessons, and all are required to carry individual liability insurance when teaching privately.
| Stephanie Blake 203-500-1407 Garrett Brockert 860-888-5928 Anne Buccino-Katz 203-389-4947 Mary Anne Ferro 203-248-2982 Jolyne Kane 203-795-0649 Joe Mastroni 860-635-6567 Jill McCarthy 203-230-9999 |
Jody Melotto 203-795-1011 George Metz 203-272-4231 Maria Peavy 203-387-8744 Heidi Richetelle 203-287-8222 Sherri Siclari-Maturo 203-281-3170 Tracy Shumway 203-288-3785 Missy Tuschoff 203-710-6588 |
For more information, please see our Pro page.
Most of our active approved professional skating instructors are members of the Professional Skaters Association (PSA), an organization which promotes the highest standards in teaching and provides seminars for its members to expand knowledge of teaching techniques.
We skate at Ingalls Rink (the Yale Whale), located at the corner of Prospect and Sachem Streets in New Haven, CT.
Ingalls Rink: (203) 432-0876 | YFSC Voice Mail: (203) 432-1233
During an instructional or other session, the session chair has the responsibility and authority to enforce all rules and may ask a skater to leave the ice or withdraw from the session. Safety and courtesy are of utmost importance. Each skater must respect the right of others to make effective use of their ice time.
1. Skating, instruction and music must be appropriate to the level and content of
the session.
2. Only skaters who are registered in or have paid a guest fee for a session may
skate during that session. Guesting is not allowed in Basic Skills sessions.
3. Skaters may not enter the ice until their session time, and they must leave the
ice promptly at the end.
4. Skaters must join a class or leave the ice during Basic Skills group instruction.
5. The Club is not responsible for personal property.
6. Parents or guardians of children under 8 must remain in the rink while their children are skating. Parents are responsible for lacing their children's skates properly, leaving short lace ends and loops. Children between 8 and 12 must be left in the care of a responsible adult.
7. Only skaters who can stand unsupported are allowed on the ice.
8. Snowplow Sam and Hockey skaters must stay in their designated areas at all
times.
9. Helmets are required for all Snowplow, Basic 1&2, Adult 1, and Hockey skaters.
10. The following are not permitted at any time:
- sitting on the ice. Get up quickly after a fall, unless injured.
- kicking the ice or using toepicks to stop when going backwards.
- sitting or leaving anything on the barrier inside the rink.
- smoking, eating, chewing gum, or bringing food onto the ice.
- dropping small objects on the ice.
- racing.
11. Jumpers who create pits in the ice must fill them with "snow" before the ice is
resurfaced.
12. Freestyle skaters have the right of way while their program music is being
played; they must wear one of the bright vests to make themselves noticeable.
Dancers have the right of way while doing the called dance. Pros and skaters
should not stand in the way of others.
13. The only music permitted is played by the session chair (or music chair) through
the rink sound system. Requests may be made to the session chair (or music
chair). Program music will be rotated equitably.
More advanced skaters may wish to order USFS rulebooks, which contain Moves and Dance patterns, as well as all other USFS rules and procedures. Forms are available from the session chair, or may be found on the USFS site.
Saturday:
Practice Ice 7:30a-9:00a (optional free lesson 7:30a-8:00a)
Basic Skills 9:10a-10:20a (9:10-9:40)
Sunday:
Basic Skills A 10:30a-11:40p (11:10-11:40)
Basic Skills B 11:50a- 1:00p (11:50-12:20)
Freestyle 5:00p- 6:00p
Moves in the Field 6:00p - 6:50p (optional free lesson 6:00p-6:20p)
Ice Dance 7:00p - 8:30p
For more information about these sessions, including fees, please visit our Programs page.
The U.S. Figure Skating Snowplow Sam Curriculum is based on the special needs of preschoolers who wish to learn the basics of figure skating. Stories, games, and circle exercises are used to teach basic coordination and skills. The first half hour is formally structured with the children divided by skill level. Those who wish may stay for a second half hour of supervised fun and practice, all in a specially designated area.
Sundays, section B: 11:50a-1:00p (lesson 11:50a-12:20p)
For more information, please visit our Programs page.
Full-time students in Yale degree programs and their children receive a 50% discount on session fees. Full-time Yale students with a student I.D. card and YFSC members also receive discounted guest fees.
Club pins and sweatshirts are available for sale at Basic Skills sessions. See the session chair for more information.
Synchronized Skating is a team activity. Teams of 8 to 24 skaters link together to skate a program to music, combining various maneuvers and formations of circles, lines, blocks and wheels. It is a rapidly growing sport within USFS and the ISU (International Skating Union), and also at many colleges and universities. Synchronized teams of various age and skill levels compete against one another at local, regional, national, and international competitions. The Hamden Figure Skating Association's "Team Esprit" has several teams for skaters age 7 and above and welcomes YFSC members. For further information, skaters may call Linda Houde at (203) 483-0081, or Sue Black at 203-281-1583, or check Team Esprit's web site, at http://www.teamesprit.com.
Tests are an important part of our skating programs. Passing a test provides a measure of achievement and is a source of real pride for the skater.
Basic Skills Badge Tests:
Basic Skills badge tests are conducted regularly throughout the season during the regular sessions, with badges awarded upon completion of each test. Tests are always low key; the professionals
recommend a test when a skater seems ready. Often, parents and children start lessons together and progress together through the badges.
USFS Tests:
USFS also provides a testing structure for more advanced skaters, in Moves in the Field, Freestyle and Dance. We generally hold these tests in the spring. Test applications and further information are available on the USFS web site or from our test chair, Bonnie Collier.
When sessions are cancelled due to weather or other reasons, notices are posted on our front page, http://www.yale.edu/yfsc, and on the Club's voice mail number, (203) 432-1233.
Please send comments regarding this page to the
.
Accidents, Policy and Procedure
Associate Membership, YFSC
Basic Skills
Bridge Program
Brochure
Calendar
Cancellation Notices
Clothing
Club Membership
Club Organization
Dance
Dues, YFSC Membership
Equipment
Etiquette, Skating
Fees, Session
Freestyle
Guest Fees
Guest Policy
Hockey Instruction
Hockey Skates
Home Club Members
Ice Dance
Ingalls Rink
Instructors
Moves in the Field
Notification
Officers, YFSC
Phone Numbers
Practice Ice
Precision
Private Lessons
Pros
PSA
Regular Membership, YFSC
Rinks
Rules, YFSC
Rulebooks
Safety, Rules for
Schedule of Sessions
Sharpening, Figure Skates
Sharpening, Hockey Skates
Skates, Figure
Skates, Hockey
Snowplow Sam
Students, Yale (discount for)
Synchro
Testing, Basic Skills
Testing, USFS
Weather Notices
Yale Students, discount for
YSFC Membership
YFSC Organization