SKILLS
BRITISH ICE SKATING SKILLS
The Skills test pathway is a fun and inclusive test structure that allows skaters to develop the fundamentals of ice skating. You can find the Skills handbook, as well as guides for each level, including coaching notes, learning objectives, and diagrams on this page.
National Skills Tests are the next phase of a skater’s journey after completing the Skate UK programme. They are designed to be a development tool that facilitates progression through skating competencies as they increase in difficulty. The final Skills 8 test is the culmination of all the skills learned to that point. Skills 8 is performed to music and is seen as the culmination of the National Skills programme.
Changes to the National Skills Test curriculum will be implemented from 1st October 2026 and will see a number of new exercise options added to the program; no exercises are being replaced or removed.
Full details of the new exercises, including demonstration videos and revised guidance documents, can be found here.
ABOUT SKILLS TESTS
Whether a skater’s goal is to participate on the exciting competitive stage, to skate for recreation and the associated health benefits or to challenge yourself in the National Test Structure, the aim of these tests is to equip skaters with the essential skills to help realise their ambitions.
At the core of this programme are the five pillars of Skill Score Assessment:
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“Pattern & Ice Coverage”
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“Edge Quality & Foot Placement”
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“Edge & Body Control”
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“Power & Speed”
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“Turn & Step Quality”
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“Musicality” for Skills 8 only
The field move test structure was replaced on 1st January 2022. You can find out more information on how to process a test claim here.
Skills Notes for Coach and Judges (June 2022)
SKILLS DOCUMENTS
Below you can find the Skills Handbook, which gives a detailed overview of the Skills programme and a definitions guide to help you understand more of the terminology:
Guidance for each Skills Level including notes and diagrams:
Changes to the National Skills Test curriculum will be implemented from 1st October 2026 and will see a number of new exercise options added to the program; no exercises are being replaced or removed.
New guidance documents, including the added exercises, will be added on this page once the changes are live - until then, they can be found here.
SKILLS GUIDANCE VIDEOS
To support your skills development, we've created guidance videos for each exercise in each Skill level.
Watch each move performed up close on the ice as well as from the stands, with pointers and troubleshooting advice included. View the complete YouTube playlist for each Skills Level here:
Changes to the National Skills Test curriculum will be implemented from 1st October 2026 and will see a number of new exercise options added to the program; no exercises are being replaced or removed.
The Skills video playlists will be updated with the new exercises in October - until then, you can watch demo videos of the new exercises on a separate playlist here.
