Sports Center — Figure Skating
For over 40 years the Northbrook Sports Center’s Skating School program has adhered to the international standards established by the Ice Skating Institute. This program allows skaters to progress at their own rate, moving up levels as they develop the fundamentals to master more difficult maneuvers.
Our program offers classes for all ages, from beginner through Freestyle 10 levels, as well as specialty classes and private lessons to enhance a skater’s abilities for future successes. Learn from our experienced staff of professionals in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere to begin a lifetime of health and wellness.
Classes at the Sports Center are modeled after the Ice Skating Institute’s Learn to Skate Program. We uphold our high standards by enhancing certain levels with additional skills. Classes are held once each week. Students are encouraged to add practice time into their schedules and/or add private lessons if quicker progress is desired. Lace ‘em up and get on the ice for a great experience!
Discover the artistry and sport of ice skating at the Northbrook Sports Center. We offer classes year -round for both recreational and competitive skaters of all ages and levels and have more than 50 skaters in our upper-level classes. All skaters receive the highest level of instruction from our elite and experienced staff.
Is Your Child Ready For Skating Lessons?
For the first-time skater, ages 3 years and older, we offer a free skating class. Skaters are evaluated by our staff instructors for placement in our skating school.
Skating School Testing Information:
Two test sessions are held each semester and are conducted by the Skating Coordinators. Recommendations to test are given out by the class instructor several weeks before the scheduled test sessions. Students are also evaluated halfway through each session to inform the parents of their child’s progress within that level.
Skating School Curriculum & Testing Requirements
Toddler
Toddler I – Falling down/getting up, marching while standing/moving, dip, backward wiggles
Toddler II – Push and glide stroking, gliding dip, introduce forward swizzles
Tot
Basic I – Falling down/getting up, marching while standing and moving, dip, 2-foot jump, backward wiggles
Basic II – Push and glide stroking, gliding dip, forward swizzles, introduce snowplow, stops, 1-foot glides and backward swizzles 
Intermediate – Forward swizzles with movement and flow, 1-foot glides (both feet), forward stroking, backward swizzles, snowplow stop
Advanced – Forward stroking with longer glides, forward crossovers (both directions), introduction of 2-foot turns, backward swizzles with movement and flow, backward pumps on the circle
Pre Alpha
Pre-Alpha I – Beginning skaters learn basic skills while incorporating some elements from higher levels. Pre-Alpha I skills: Falling down/getting up, 2-foot glides, 1-foot glides, forward swizzles, introduction to backward swizzles
Pre-Alpha II – This class prepares skaters for more advanced forward skating. Pre-Alpha II skills: Longer 1-foot glides/straight line and on the circle, 1st and 2nd position on the circle (both directions), forward swizzles with movement/flow, backward swizzles, introduction to snowplow stops
Alpha
Alpha I – Skaters learn forward stroking, forward crossovers in both directions and snowplow stops
Alpha II – Skaters perfect forward stroking, forward crossovers in both directions and snowplow stops
Beta
Beta I – Skaters are introduced to backward skating. Skills include backward stroking, backward crossovers in both directions, and t-stops with both feet
Beta II – Skaters perfect backward stroking, backward crossovers in both directions, and t-stops with both feet
Gamma
Forward outside 3 turns (left and right), forward Mohawks (left and right), forward edges (outside and inside), hockey stops
Delta
Forward inside 3 turns (left and right), introduction to backward outside and inside 3 turns (left and right), forward and backward edges (outside and inside), bunny hops, lunges and/or shoot the ducks
Freestyle
FS I – Waltz jump, 1 half-flip, 2-foot spin, forward pivot, forward spiral, backward edges.
FS II – Ballet jump, 1 half-toe walley, 1 half-lutz, 2 forward spirals on edges, 1-foot spin
FS III – Salchow, toe loop or toe walley, change foot spin, backward spiral on an edge, back pivot (outside or inside)
FS IV – Flip jump, loop jump, 1 half-loop, 2 backward spirals (different feet), sit spin
FS V – Axel jump, lutz jump, camel spin, combination spin, back scratch spin
FS VI – Double salchow, split jump, split falling leaf, jump combination, combination spin, layback or sit-change-sit spin
The following levels must be tested by an ISI District 8 panel of judges:
Freestyle Advanced
FS VII – Double toe loop or toe walley, 2 walleys in sequence, spin combination, flying camel, jump in the opposite direction
FS VIII – Double loop jump, double flip, split lutz, flying sit or axel sit, jump combination, illusion or camel-jump-camel
FS IX – Double lutz, axel-double loop combination, arabesque/ bauer/spread eagle combination, axel in the opposite direction or double axel, jump combination, flying camel into a jump sit spin, spiral sequence
FS X – Double Axel-double toe loop combination, triple edge jump, death drop, 4 alternating axels or triple toe, double jump L and R or triple toe-double loop, 3 Arabian cartwheels or butterflies, footwork sequence.
Freestyle Skating
The Northbrook Sports Center offers Freestyle ice seven days a week, when competitive and recreational skaters can practice their skills, competition routines and schedule private lessons.
Click here for the Freestyle Ice Information Book.
Click here for Freestyle Ice Schedule.
Call ahead to check on ice availability as many of our after school sessions have already filled after our preregistration process. For more information, call 847·291·2993.
Summer Training Program
The Northbrook Park District offers a flexible summer training program that allows intensive on-ice training, off-ice strength and conditioning, and U.S. Figure Skating testing. Freestyle ice sessions are available six days per week, from 6:30am to 5:40pm (M-F) and 7am-12pm (Sat.). We welcome all ages and levels of skaters to join us to improve their skills.
Freestyle coaching is available from our staff of highly qualified coaches. Dance and Moves in the Field lessons are permitted during freestyle sessions. And, skaters (individual or a group) can rent a mirrored dance studio for conditioning or dance technique instruction.
Northbrook Competitive Figure Skating Team (NCFST)
Join our team for fun and friendship on and off the ice! NCFST is a unique organization that offers skaters of all ages and levels the opportunity to participate in ISI competitions in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.
Skaters who are at least six years old and at the Pre-Alpha level and higher are welcome to join. Supervised practice ice is available on Friday evenings from September through April.
Synchronized Skating
Synchronized skating takes the grace of ballet, the elegance of ice dancing and combines them with the thrill of split second maneuvers.
Synchronized skating brings the team concept to a sport that is focused primarily on singles and pairs and expands the opportunity for skaters to participate in the sport of figure skating.
Teams Elite Synchronized Skating
Being part of the Northbrook Teams Elite, two time ISI National Champions, is a great way to meet other skaters and participate in a competitive activity while at the same time creating camaraderie with other team members on and off the ice.
The Northbrook Teams Elite has begun its 10th season at the Northbrook Sports Center. Our ISI teams have become National Champions in their respective levels for the past four years. Our participants also learn life values as they have participated in volunteer activities such as Locks for Love and Project Linus. Tryouts for the team occur every April/May for skaters of all ages.
For more information, please call the Sports Center at 847·291·2993.
