First figure skating lessons for kids. Figure skating lessons. Features of the methodology of primary education

If you want to figure out how to learn figure skating and how to achieve success in this sport, you must understand that not everything is so simple.

Before you start learning the basic elements of figure skating and compulsory figures, you need to learn not only to confidently stand on skates, but also to move forward and backward on the ice, step over to both sides and feel completely free. When training, you need to remember once and for all: you should move in a slight tilt, keep your knees half-bent, do not push off the ice with your socks, and from the very first steps try to do everything yourself, without outside help.

Figure skating - how to learn to skate

There are several secrets, the knowledge of which allows you to speed up the process of learning to figure skating, quickly learn how to skate and perform basic figures.

• First of all, you should learn how to type high speed and move equally well in front and behind, sweat in a circle and an arc, without stopping to move from one step to another and change the direction of movement in the same way.
• When moving on ice, the weight should be transferred to the supporting leg, that is, to the leg that takes the load and slides freely. At the same time, you need to look not at your feet, as most beginner skaters do, but in front of you, in the direction of movement. Hands should be free and located along the body, and the hands should be at the level of the belt.
• Particular attention in teaching figure skating is given to posture. This should be taken care of from the very first lessons on the ice. You need to study the elements of figure skating in strict sequence.
• There is nothing worse than lack of desire after the first difficulties and failures. If something does not work out, you need to be persistent, repeat this element again and again. 90% of success is a monotonous repetition of movements and figures.
• It is impossible to do without knowledge of the basics of skating neither in free skating, nor in ice dancing, nor in the study of the basic elements. At the same time, you need to be prepared for the fact that in one workout you will have to fall and rise dozens of times.
• You also need to learn how to fall on ice. When falling, you need to group and try not to land on the ice like a bag, but to slide on it as much as possible.

The basis of figure skating is school skating - the performance of compulsory figures and their simplest combinations: these figures form the basis of figure skating technique. Professionals who know how to learn figure skating say that anyone can do it, and the sooner you get on skates, the better.

The modern high level of development of figure skating makes special, very high demands on the process of initial education of skaters. It is known that this stage is largely decisive for further sports improvement. Currently, the practice of figure skating gives examples of mastering very complex elements at a young age. This trend is likely to continue in the future. Therefore, already from the first steps of training, it is necessary that the educational and training process ensure fast and high-quality mastery of movements and be aimed at studying super-complex elements. However, in the learning process, one should take into account the morphological and physiological characteristics of the child's body, avoid coaching, attempts to replace the qualitative construction of the educational and training process with an excessive increase in the volume of classes, the number of repetitions of elements, etc.

A solid foundation for sportsmanship can only be laid if, at the initial stage of training, purposeful preparation is made to study the perfect possession of the skate, compulsory figures, steps, spirals, rotations and jumps, i.e. the entire complex of movements of the skater. It is necessary that, when mastering the simplest elements, skaters have an idea of ​​the most rational movements around the rink, the arrangement of elements on the site, be able to logically combine elements of different groups (run - jump, jump - rotation, etc.).

Skaters should be familiar with the basic exercises of general and special physical training(see chapter XIII), Importance also has a mastery of the basics of the aesthetics of skating. Only a multifaceted development of motor qualities and skills can allow a skater to further minimize the number of so-called weak points of training.

Along with general and special physical, choreographic and other types of training, special technical (ice) training has the most important place for beginners.

Skating training. It starts with walking on the ice, mastering the balance. Next, beginners are introduced to two types of forward sliding: sliding in a straight line and sliding in an arc. Gliding forward in a straight line is performed by pushing off with the edge of the skate with the knee of the supporting leg in a soft position with alternate transfer of body weight from the pushing leg to the supporting leg. At correct execution This movement leaves a trace on the ice that looks like a Christmas tree pattern. Typical errors in this exercise are pushing with the toe and loss of balance during single-leg sliding. To avoid these mistakes, you need to push with the middle part of the skate and use exercises that improve your sense of balance. One of these exercises is performed in three counts: push with the right foot, slide on two legs, pause; push with the left foot, slide on two feet, pause, etc.

Sliding in an arc is the main movement of the skater, which is included in all types of figure skating. The difficulty of this movement lies in the need to maintain balance while tilting the torso inward of the arc. The movement is performed in the same way as when sliding in a straight line. After the push, you need to tilt the body inside the described arc. Particular attention should be paid to preventing the shoulder line from being skewed and the supporting leg being bent in ankle joint. As a lead-in exercise, we can recommend sliding on two legs - a snake (Fig. 12). When performing it, an accentuated counter-rotation of the shoulders relative to the pelvis is necessary, which helps to more naturally perform the entire movement.

Other effective exercise is the so-called flashlight (Fig. 12), in which movement is created due to the active adduction and spreading of the legs.

Jerks are among the movements that cause certain difficulties for beginners. To master them, it is recommended: imitation of pushes based on an object sliding in front (Fig. 13), as well as repulsion from the side in a two-support and one-support position, pushes for a sliding distance. The “scooter” exercise contributes to mastering the correct push, in which the push is constantly performed with one foot, sliding on the supporting one, arms to the sides.

Stop training is an important part of the beginner training program. A distinction is made between stops in a two-point and one-point position. The simplest is the T-stop. In this case, braking is carried out when sliding forward in a two-support position by pressing on the inner edge of the leg located behind. The supporting leg is slightly bent, arms are spread apart. More difficult is the stop, in which braking is achieved by turning both feet perpendicular to the direction of motion. One foot on the inside edge of the skate, the other on the outside. Shoulders and head are turned in the direction of movement. The body is slightly inclined to the side opposite to the direction of movement.

Common types of braking are stops; using the methods of "semi-plow", "plow", with the edge of the ridge in a single-support position (Fig. 14). When braking in the first way, the student brings the leg forward, turns the foot across the movement. Braking is carried out by pressure on the inner edge of the skate. At the moment of braking, the legs are slightly bent at the knees, the back is straight.

The “plow” method is similar in technique to the “semi-plow” braking. The difference is that braking is carried out by both skates. At the moment of braking, the student bends his legs, turns them with his toes inward and presses on the inner ribs.

Stopping the edge of the skate in a single support position is difficult for beginners. This is due to the need to perform a smooth transition from sliding to braking. The principle of braking is the same as in the "semi-plow" method. These stop methods are used when performing a forward slide. The methods of braking encountered in practice - with the toe, with the heel - are incorrect, often leading to undesirable skills. So, for example, using the toe of the skate to perform not only braking, but also pushing is a gross mistake and contrary to the rules. Braking with the heel of the skate is in most cases unaesthetic and makes it difficult to further master the techniques of proper braking with the ribs of the skate.

To stop when sliding back, the student puts his foot on the inner edge, perpendicular to the direction of movement, and transfers the weight of the body to it.

Arcs. Preparation for the performance of compulsory figures is primarily associated with sliding along arcs, the curvature of which corresponds to the curvature of the compulsory figures, sliding along spirals and curves close to a circle. Young skaters need to be introduced to the concept of the longitudinal and transverse axes of the figure, the lines of the "corridor" and other characteristics of the geometry of the compulsory figures. It is good if sliding along arcs is performed with different positions of the arms and free leg.

Padding. Mastering the constrictions begins with imitation on the spot with the help of a trainer. Then snakes on two legs are performed, the curvature of which corresponds to the curvature of the constriction. It’s good if there are landmarks on the ice: lumps of snow, chips, flags. In the future, they switch to imitation of the constriction when sliding with the help of a trainer and without it.

Threes. These are the easiest turns. Imitation of the triple on the spot, in motion with fixation of the position of the body before and after the execution of the triple refers to the initial stage of learning. Performing a triple as an element of free skating contributes to its rapid mastery.

To prepare for the performance of loop figures, they slide along small semicircles and circles, close in size to the growth of a young skater.

Steps. The most common type of step is the run. The exercise serves as a good tool for gaining gliding speed and is a connecting element in the program. The first attempts to perform the exercise sometimes lead to errors. These primarily include toe pushes and vertical movements of the torso. A simplified version of the dash is a dash made with a two-supported slip for four counts. The simplest steps include: running steps, three-step and four-step transitions, and a series of other steps. Combinations of these elements must be constantly complicated, selecting those that contribute to the mastery of a pronounced sliding edge, make you slide along steep arcs of various configurations.

Rotations. Learning these important elements begins with simple rotations performed on two legs from a place and then with a small run-up from a lunge position. The focus should be on teaching centering and rotational speed. In the future, from rotation on two legs, they move on to rotation on one: left and right.

Jumping. Learning this most important group of movements is preceded by the simplest jumping exercises: jumping in place, in motion, in a straight line, jumping from one foot to another, jumping over a snow roller. This is followed by jumps on two legs in a half turn, half turn from two legs to one, a series of these jumps (“pancakes”). Recommended jumps from the side (height 10-20 cm) from two legs to one, jumps from the side half-turn from two legs to one, jumps different types. Mastering jumps with a large number of revolutions is facilitated by: jumping on two legs in one revolution, performed from sliding forward and backward, flip "goat", salchow from a two-step approach, half-flip.

The location of the elements on the site. From the first steps on the ice, it is necessary to study various forms of run-up to jumps, various approaches to rotations. The ability to arrange steps, spirals, jumps and spins on the court is very important for skaters of any skill. An obligatory part of classes with beginners should be an explanation of the basic rules for the location of elements on the site, their orientation in relation to the referee's board.

The formation of aesthetic foundations is primarily associated with learning to perform elements under the count, metronome, musical accompaniment with a clearly defined rhythm, and then with a more complex one. The other side of this process is mastering the complex of basic choreographic exercises in the hall and. on ice (see chapter V).

FEATURES OF THE METHOD OF INITIAL TRAINING

The main form of educational and training work in primary education is group classes in the hall, on the sports ground, on the ice. Class time - 45-60 minutes with a mandatory 10-15-minute break. When organizing and conducting classes, it is necessary to take into account the age of those involved, their individual characteristics.

When a young skater begins to practice on the ice, it is advisable to let him walk on well-trodden snow forwards, backwards, to the sides, do squats in place in order to gain confidence. From the very first steps on the ice, the closest attention should be paid to the posture of the skater, since the first attempts often lead to falls. It is necessary that the attention of the trainees be paid to maintaining a rational body position that prevents injury. Legs should be bent, arms slightly extended forward. At the same time, it is unacceptable to focus on the very fact of the fall, and even more so on learning it. From the very first steps, the skater needs to be prepared for a clear and stable execution of the elements, and not for a “saving” fall at the slightest inconvenience.

The study of the basics of figure skating should be carried out in a sequence that provides for the simultaneous study of exercises with sliding forward and backward, the inclusion of exercises from different groups of movements in each lesson.

In some cases, training requires the help of a trainer. Skating with a coach or an experienced skater will allow young skaters to clarify the nature of the movements of the exercises being studied, and prevent the occurrence of incorrect skills and injuries.

It is extremely important to use the game method in the learning process. Through games in which the studied elements should be present, skating skills are improved, dexterity, orientation in space, and endurance are brought up. Below is a description of a few simple games.

Relay skating. The group is divided into several teams depending on the number of students. The guys run to the conditional place. The team that covers the distance the fastest wins.

Relay races can be made more difficult as you master the program material by sliding forward, backward, jumping over obstacles. Here you can also recommend running in a straight line for speed, a task with complication: the first half of the distance is sliding forward, the second is sliding back.

Slalom (a kind of relay race). Each team member must go around the flags on the right and left sides alternately. These flags are placed before each command. It is advisable to alternate running forward, backward, steps.

On the ice, you can play games composed of regulated motor actions, which are a simplified version of circular training, the so-called chain. Those involved must complete the tasks stipulated in advance in a certain sequence in the designated places on the ice platform. Exercises are performed from landmark to landmark. Here is an approximate list of such tasks: forward-outward arcs, flashlights, snake, jump from two legs to two while sliding forward, rotation on two legs with a small run-up, stop (by any means).

It is better if the execution of game tasks is carried out in a streaming way in order to increase the density of classes.

IN initial period training, it is advisable to observe the principle of symmetrical execution of exercises. The skater should strive to attempt basic lifts on both sides on both the left and right foot. Compliance with this rule contributes to a uniform and versatile physical development skater. By observing the principle of symmetry in initial training, it is easy and natural to separate skaters with right and left rotation.

Optimal rest intervals between exercises are essential. In their absence, overwork can occur, which negatively affects the development of the body.

An important point of primary education is the constant pedagogical and medical control, as well as the current assessment of academic performance. This allows students to judge the growth of their skills from lesson to lesson.

It needs to be emphasized in particular important role coach in the preparation and education of beginner figure skaters. Not only the successful mastering of the basics of figure skating, but also the formation of the personality of a novice skater largely depends on his daily thoughtful work.

Skating - lovely way spend time. Sport has a beneficial effect on a person, regardless of age. Some doubt whether figure skating is possible for adults or only children are engaged in this beautiful sport. It is important to consider what are the features of training beginners and what to do if a person in adulthood gets on the ice for the first time.

It seems to some that sections and schools of figure skating for adults are useless. These organizations are in high demand and benefit society.

Even a novice athlete after a few high-quality classes will be able to perform elementary exercises. Ice skating is not easy beautiful. Such sports have the following positive aspects:

• ice skating is an alternative to classes in fitness centers and gyms;
• the learning process is more exciting than other exhausting workouts;
• during training, stretching, plasticity and flexibility of the body develop;
• leaves overweight improves metabolism;
• the spinal column and muscular corset are strengthened;
• riding on ice gives emotional relief;
• the figure and physical form of a person improves.

Figure skating has a number of disadvantages. Lessons are not always easy, and it takes patience and perseverance to achieve results. In addition, at first, there is a high probability of falls and injuries, especially if a person first steps on the ice at a young age. It is not advisable to deal with those who suffer from diseases of the musculoskeletal system or severe osteoporosis. In this case, when falling, the risk of fractures and other serious injuries is high.

At what age is it too late to practice?

They say it's never too late to get an education. However, with age, physical changes occur in the human body, due to which, as it seems, it is no longer possible to learn figure skating.

Since childhood, many have wanted to be figure skaters. But due to circumstances, they did not become them or did not even learn how to stand on the ice. As adults, there are more opportunities to realize your childhood dreams, but also more fears.

Many experienced skaters started classes at different ages. Of course, to become an Olympic champion, it is important to train from childhood, when muscles and bones are also in the formation stage.

If a person wants to learn figure skating for himself, in order to do it for pleasure and enjoy the successes achieved, then it is never too late to start learning. There are people who, in adulthood, started skating for the first time.

Adolescence is a moment when a chance is not lost even for professional studies. Although some sports schools they don’t want to take grown-up children, this is a delusion, since many modern skaters started training at that age, but were able to reach heights.

In whether a person achieves success or not, the level of initial physical fitness, state of health and willingness to learn, and not age itself, plays an important role. What is important is how the trainer conducts the training. After all, the method used for young children and adults is fundamentally different.

How to choose equipment for beginners

When choosing skates, it is worth considering the following points:

• they must be of high quality;
• with a tooth for single skating;
• sharpening with a groove;
• boots with a rigid body but soft linings;
• the ankle joint should not twist when riding.

It is important for a beginner to teach how to properly lace skates. At the toe, the leg should not be tightly clamped, but closer to the ankle, this should be done more so that the leg is pressed tightly against the boot. The last few turns should also be made weaker so that the blood flows freely into the limb and the leg becomes numb.

Ski clothing should be warm and comfortable. Covers should be worn on skates to prevent the laces from untying and falling under the blade. Women's hair should be collected so that it does not interfere. In figure skating, the athlete's neck must be visible.

How to start figure skating lessons: the basics for beginners

Figure skating begins with the right selection of clothing and equipment. When the athlete is complete, he can go on the ice.

First of all, you need to learn how to stand in front of people. At first, the feeling of hopelessness will not leave, but after a few trainings it will pass.

It is important to learn how to fall correctly. Falls on ice are less painful than elsewhere. The main force of the fall is due to sliding, which reduces the degree of impact.

At first, you can just walk around the rink, holding on to the side. It is important to remember that every skater was once on the ice for the first time. You can count on the help of other skaters only if they themselves are very confident on the ice and have experience working with beginners. Otherwise, riding alone is safer.

Basic elements and tricks, their designations

Even in a group of beginner skaters, all athletes should know what the basic elements of figure skating, or tricks, are called. It is worth mentioning the most important:

• moving forward - sliding face forward;
• backward movement - sliding backwards;
• arcs on the outer edge - riding after repulsion with a slightly bent leg at the knee;
• turn "troika" on one leg, describing the number "3" on the ice;
• t-shaped braking.

There are many elements in figure skating. It is impossible to master them all at the same time. The coach will gradually help to perform difficult tricks, not forgetting about safety measures.

Safety Compliance

Regardless of the degree of skill, safety must not be forgotten. The following measures will help keep you safe:

• selection of skates of the exact size (without stock);
• riding only on sharpened blades;
• use only hard shoes;
• learning to fall correctly from the first lesson;
• use of knee pads, elbow pads;
• do not ride against the movement of the crowd on public rinks.

How to find a coach

Modern figure skating schools have many professional coaches on staff. Someone selects a master on the advice of friends, and someone conducts a training session with each of them.

You can determine a good coach not only by experience and skill. It's important to be in character. This person should be comfortable. The coach will help to take steps forward, correct mistakes and stimulate further growth.

How many times have you said to yourself: "I can do it, today I will ride!". Then for some reason they put it off, or maybe they gave up? It takes some persistence to learn how to skate, but you can do it. All you need to do is master some basic skills and you will be ready for the incredible sensations that await you when riding.

Steps

Part 1

Building Skills

Get ready. Before you go out on the ice, you need to put on your skates. Don't worry about buying your own gear right away. You can rent equipment until you are sure you want to skate for a long time.

• Make sure you rent skates that are right for you. They should fit snugly but should not cause your feet to tingle or hurt.
• You also need to make sure you lace them up tight enough. You shouldn't be able to twist your ankle.

1. Learn to fall. The very first thing you have to learn as a skater is to fall. You will fall a lot and it is important to know how to fall without hurting yourself. Practice the fall. If you feel like you're falling, crouch into a falling position so that you land softly back or on your side. Don't land on your hands.

   • You must also learn to get up, or at least get back on your way quickly. You don't want other people to run over you.

2. Relax your knees. The next thing you should practice as a skater is how to keep your knees properly and loosely. When you are new to riding, you will be unstable on your feet and your muscles will be weak, so you will naturally want your knees to be locked and stiff. However, free knees that can move easily are very important for figure skating, not only allowing you to move around but also keeping your legs from hurting.

   • Practice letting the muscles relax by shaking the legs. You can also free up your knees by crouching slightly.

3. Learn how to move forward. Now that you can skate comfortably and safely, you can learn how to move forward on your skates. Pointing forward with one foot, push the other foot back and to the side very gently, with the toes at a slight angle to the body. This back leg should push you across the ice. Put your back foot on the ice, and then do the same push, but with the other foot.

   • Although the method of balancing is different, you can try learning this basic move on street skates before learning it on the ice. It's easier and can keep you from hurting yourself.

4. Learn to stop. Of course, once you start moving forward, you will eventually want to stop. You can't just drive into a wall every time! The most basic stop is done by slightly bending your knees and tilting your body to the side so that both of your blades are tilted away from the direction of travel.

   • You can also do a T-stop, which is done by turning one of the blades perpendicular to the other blade and tilting it away from the direction of travel.

5. Learn to stroke. This is one of those basic movements that you need to learn. Stroking is when you do the same motion to move forward, but longer and more graceful. Push harder with your leg and hold that leg behind you longer before switching to the other leg.

   • Practice this for a graceful and natural movement. This will be the main move between all the tricks and moves that you will be doing while skating, so you have to do it well.

   Part 2

   Learning basic movements

   1. Learn to move backwards. The very first "trick" you learn as a skater is how to move backwards. This trick leads to many other tricks in figure skating and is an important skill to learn and master. It requires coordination and practice, but be patient: you will learn it.

      • To begin with, if you want to move backward, imagine moving backwards in relation to moving forward. Shift your weight to one foot and move with the other leg as you draw a lemon on ice, pushing yourself back and rounding the "lemon's" curve.

   2. Learn to turn. Making sharp turns or even just a gentle turn on the rink are essential skills for a skater. Another skill you will learn is how to do turns that are a little more complicated than the easy ways you probably learned on your own. There are two main methods for turning, which you will learn at the beginning:

      • Forward crossovers are used for big turns and to create momentum for jumps. Basically, you will be doing the same movements that you do to move forward, but your legs will cross over each other, slowly turning you around. You can also do the same movement in reverse, although you must start with a forward movement.
      • Three turns is another turning method used for sharp turns and direction changes. This is more difficult, but still quite doable for a beginner.

   3. Try learning to spin. There are many various kinds spins in figure skating, and some of them are not as difficult as they seem. You will probably be ready to do rotations in about a year, having mastered the other movements.

      • The basic rotation is rotation in a circle in one place.
      • The spiral is done by twisting one leg and upper body parallel to the ice.

   4. Master the sequences. There are some series of moves or tricks that are standard in figure skating. This is called footwork and usually consists of many turns, spins and jumps. Different sequences have different names and you should learn some of the most basic sequences.

      • For example, a mohawk and a waltz turn by three.

   Part 3

   Sharpening Your Skills

   1. Let you be comfortable. You must work in such a way that you achieve comfort in all the basic movements of skating. Each time you learn a new move, spend a good amount of time doing it before moving on to the new move. This will allow your muscles to turn on the "memory" of how to move, allowing you to easily perform these movements without thinking about them. This is necessary for many tricky tricks, as you can't always think about every little move you make.

   2. Build muscle and be in good shape. You need to be strong and healthy if you want to be successful and feel comfortable when you skate. Exercise a lot, try not to sit around and watch TV all day, eat a lot of healthy food.

      • Your body will need plenty of protein to perform well while you skate. Try eating protein that doesn't have a lot of fat, like turkey, fish, or nuts, so your body doesn't feel weighed down.

Alleys of the Yusupov Garden + A record, another record + The Golden Relay of Soviet couples + The first Olympic champions in ice dancing are ours!

Skateboards were invented many centuries ago. There is historical evidence that the first skates were made from animal bones.

Here is what the monk Stephanius wrote in 1174 in his Chronicle of the Noble City of London: “When a large swamp washing the city rampart from the north freezes, whole groups of young people go there to have fun on the ice. Some, walking as wide as possible, glide quickly ... Others, more experienced in playing on ice, tie the tibia bones of some animals to their feet and, holding sticks with sharp iron tips in their hands, from time to time push them off the ice and rush with such speed like a bird in the air or a spear thrown from a ballista...”

The bone skates were replaced by wooden ones, “shod” with a narrow iron runner. When they first appeared, it is difficult to say exactly. But already in the annals and various books of the XIV-XV centuries one can find records and engravings depicting people sliding on wooden skates with iron blades...

Perhaps the Dutch were most fond of skating. This can also be explained by the fact that the frozen canals, of which there are a great many in this country, become ideal treadmills in winter. Thousands of Dutch people even made small trips with the help of skates.

It was in Holland that the Russian Tsar Peter I first got acquainted with skates. He brought this "Dutch fun" to Russia. This is where the history of skates began in our country.

From the first skates to the first sports starts - a huge distance. Hundreds of years passed before the first official speed skating and figure skating competitions were held. And the first world championship in figure skating took place only at the end of the last century.

Sports reference books say that the first competitions of figure skaters with an official clear program were held in Vienna in 1872. According to this program, by the way, without fundamental changes (various amendments, improvements, of course, there were and, undoubtedly, will still be) work and to this day. Single skaters then performed compulsory figures and competed in free skating.

A century later, this program was supplemented. There were so-called short programs in which skaters demonstrate to the music a certain amount of complex elements, thus showing how seriously they mastered the various techniques of their favorite sport. But before the introduction of the short program, it took years.

Other types of figure skating - pair skating and sports dancing on ice - followed the path that was laid by single skaters. Here, too, there are mandatory programs and arbitrary compositions. And the changes taking place before our eyes are a reflection of the same processes: figure skating is becoming more difficult, the artistry of the performers is growing, and the musical accompaniment is improving. In a word, figure skating develops more harmoniously.

And the best skaters in the world always meet these requirements. Each of you could be convinced of this more than once.

History has kept us a lot of information about the very first official international figure skating tournaments. One of these tournaments was even called the unofficial world championship. It took place in our homeland, in St. Petersburg, in 1890, at the skating rink of the famous Yusupov Garden.

Skating rink in Yusupov Garden

Why famous? Yes, because it was here that all our figure skating was born (and not only it, in general the art of skating, which includes speed skating). It was in St. Petersburg that the Society of Skating Fans was created, and the ponds of the Yusupov Garden were chosen as a place for club members to practice. For the first time, the skating rink in the garden was prepared for training as early as 1865, and the society itself was formed twelve years later.

Skaters from the Yusupov Garden - they were later often called Yusupovites - performed at many international tournaments. And always successful. Their names were widely known not only at home, but also abroad. All of them were famous public figures, artists and engineers, actors and scientists.

In the international classification of those times, V. Sreznevsky, A. Lebedev, N. Poyarinov, R. Byukhtger and many of their other comrades in society always stood high.

It was A. Lebedev who was lucky enough to become the winner of the largest international tournament in St. Petersburg in the winter of 1890. This tournament was considered the first unofficial world championship.

There is some justice in the fact that six years later - in 1896 - the first ever official championship The world was entrusted to St. Petersburg, and the members of the Society of Skating Fans acted as direct organizers of it. Only men participated in the championship, and there were very few of them - only four.

Who became the first ever official champion of the planet? It turned out to be the German athlete G. Fuchs, who drew the compulsory (so-called school) figures perfectly, and performed reliably in free skating. Unfortunately, the Russian figure skaters could not compete with the guests. This could also be explained by the fact that the skaters of the older generation had already left the arena, and the youth had just begun to master the secrets of mastery. In the days of the first championship among the spectators there was also a very young athlete Nikolai Panin-Kolomen-kin - our future Olympic champion.

The first world championship was held under the auspices of International Union speed skaters (ISU). Skaters are part of this international sports federation to this day, since they do not have a separate, their own international association.

For women, the first world championship was held only in 1906 in the high-mountainous Swiss resort of Davos (on the skating rinks of Davos, European and world championships have been held many times since then). The first champion was the Englishwoman M. Sayers.

For many years men and women's championships peaces were held separately. And only after the First World War, joint championships were organized in which skaters of four categories compete: men and women performing in single skating, sports couples and representatives of the youngest type of figure skating - sports dancing on ice (they joined the rest only in 1952 .).

Pair skating came into the "big world" for the first time in 1908. And again, the skating rink of the Yusupov Garden in St. Petersburg acted as a pioneer. The victory then went to the German couple - A. Hubler and G. Burger. It should be noted right away that these were very strong-willed and technical athletes for that time. They performed on the international arena for a long time, and it was they who got the first ever Olympic gold medals in pair skating.

Figure skating competitions quickly gained popularity, thanks to which skating rinks began to be built with artificial ice. One of the first such skating rinks was built in London, where the 4th Summer Olympic Games were held in 1908. At that time, figure skating competitions, oddly enough, were included in the program of the summer games.

The International Olympic Committee closely followed the development of a relatively new sport. The appearance of figure skaters at the games gave a tremendous impetus to the overall development of this sport in all the leading sports powers in the world.

The first Olympic champion among men was the Swede U. Salkhov. This was not a surprise to anyone, because the Swedish figure skater won the world title a total of ten times. True, he had a formidable rival from Russia - N. Panin-Kolomenkin, but biased refereeing did not allow our compatriot to finish the competition. This did not prevent, however, N. Panin-Kolomenkin from winning for his homeland the first ever Olympic gold in a different kind of program.

The Russian figure skater received the highest award for winning competitions in the performance of special figures. The program of these competitions included drawing the most complex patterns on ice, designed by the athlete himself. Patterns by N. Panin-Kolomenkin were simply unique. No one believed that they could even be drawn with a skate on ice. U. Salkhov refused to compete with a figure skater who could perform such figures.

After speaking at Olympic Games N. Panin-Kolomenkin took up coaching. On behalf of the Society of Skating Fans, he wrote the world's first textbook on figure skating. One of the first copies of this book is kept at my house: even today it is possible to train figure skaters using it.

In general, our champion was far ahead of his time in his theoretical work. And today's reader of his books finds in them a lot of instructive. Nikolai Alexandrovich wrote in one of his textbooks: “The beauty and variety of lines and drawings ... on the one hand, and on the other - rhythm, grace," temperament, plasticity, harmony and musicality of movements can evoke both in the performer himself and in emotional states caused by the satisfaction of the sense of beauty ... "And further:" This is already unusual great importance aesthetic side distinguishes figure skating from other sports. But the difference goes much further. The highest manifestations of figure skating ... should not only affect the performers themselves, but also infect the crowd with their emotionality; they can ... create well-known artistic images with some thematic (psychological or social) content. Therefore, it is impossible not to recognize figure skating as standing almost on the same plane as choreographic art ... "

All this was written long before the time when the best skaters began to create their wonderful artistic programs, when there were magnificent concerts of figure skaters - demonstration performances.

Olympic competitions brought some kind of records to some skaters. The Norwegian athlete Sonya Henie competed at the Olympics four times and became the champion three times. The Swedish figure skater Gillis Grafsström could boast of the same achievements. In 1980, our Irina Rodnina also joined them. She performed at the games three times and each time brought home gold awards. It will be difficult to surpass such an achievement!

Well, what about the European Championships, since when have they been held?

For the first time, the strongest single skaters started in Hamburg in 1891, and then the first place was awarded to the German figure skater O. Uhlig. A year later, in Vienna, the Austrian E. Engelman became the champion.

Women at the European Championships began to speak only in 1930 (in Vienna). The European Championships for men and women were also initially held separately. The first champion was F. Burger (Austria), who then lost the championship title to S. Henie for six years.

In the 1940s, Americans and Canadians became leaders in world figure skating. And this is quite understandable, given that a hurricane of war swept over Europe, that many cities were destroyed and, of course, there could be no talk of building artificial ice rinks. And overseas at that time, hundreds of new arenas were built, which made it possible to organize more intensive training for not just a few, but hundreds of talented athletes.

The very first major international competitions after the Second World War showed how far ahead the skaters of the United States and Canada had gone. They were the first to demonstrate the most difficult jumps in two and a half and three turns, created their own original school with original plastic and staging techniques.

Often during television broadcasts from the World Championships and the Olympic Games, you can see the famous former American figure skater Dick Button holding a microphone. He was a five-time world champion and two-time Olympic champion (in 1948 and 1952). In the technical arsenal of the Button - a lot of jumps and fast steps.

Brothers Alan and David Jenkins replaced Button as champion. They won "family" medals for seven years in a row - in turn.

All these skaters had a significant impact on the development of world figure skating in the post-war years. The explosive growth of technique and expression in the men's singles (delivering great pleasure to an audience of millions of spectators) was observed in many countries. Figure skaters such as Canadian D. Jackson, M. Schnelldorfer (Germany), A. Kalma (France), E. Danzer and V. Schwartz (Austria), A. Giletti (France), T. Wood ( USA), O. Nepela (Czechoslovakia).

Naturally, Soviet single skating quickly gained momentum. Sergey Chetverukhin from Moscow was the first to pave the way to the podium of the World and European Championships. For several years he won bronze and silver medals and at the 1972 Olympics in the Japanese city of Sapporo he won a silver medal. Olympic medal.

In 1977 and 1979 V. Kovalev twice submits to the world peak of single skating. His collection of awards also contains a silver Olympic medal. And a small gold medal for compulsory exercises, Kovalev won six times.

After V. Kovalev and S. Volkov left the arena, I. Bobrin became the leader of the single skaters for a short time. The 1981 European Championship brought him the highest success. And A. Fadeev (1984) brought one more gold medal of the European champion to our single skating.

Yes, single skaters get awards in a very difficult fight. Here the champions change frequently. And although last champion- American Scott Hamilton stayed at the top for four years, this is rather an exception to the rule. Together with him fought on equal terms for top honors and B. Orser from Canada, and N. Schramm from Germany, and I. Sabovchik from Czechoslovakia, and our figure skaters A. Fadeev and V. Kotin.

Women's single skating is rapidly developing. Women borrow many difficult elements from men's skating programs. For quite a long time, the leaders were American figure skaters, among whom Tilvia Albright, Carol Heiss, Peggy Fleming, Dorothy Hamell stood out. But in last years athletes from the GDR came to the fore. At first, Gaby Seifert won the champion title, and then Christina Erat, Annette Pötsch, Katarina Witt were among the strongest.

Successes came to our single skaters. The first to win the bronze Olympic medal in 1984 in Sarajevo was the Moscow Dynamo Kira Ivanova. Elena Vodorezova was the first to climb the "bronze step" of the European and world podium. In 1984, Anna Kondrashova won the silver medal at the World Championships.

Single skaters were the protagonists of the largest international competitions. But over the past two decades, the situation has begun to change. A turning point was outlined after the famous Canadian couple Barbara Wagner - Robert Pole - the champions of the 1960 Olympic Games, entered the arena. new life into pair skating programs, making them more athletic and artistic. And then came the era of Soviet couples.

Of course, the three-time Olympic champion, eleven-time European champion and ten-time world champion Irina Rodnina has always been in the spotlight. At first, she paired with Alexei Ulanov and together with him became the champion at the Games in Sapporo (1972). Then she won victories in "co-authorship" with Alexander Zaitsev, with whom she won twice more at the Olympiads. Rodnina's style was distinguished by a special expression, saturation of programs with complex elements, sincerity and spirituality of every gesture, every movement on the ice field.

Having excellent role models, several more Soviet couples quickly grew up. In recent years, Marina Cherkasova and Sergey Shakhrai, Irina Vorobyeva and Igor Lisovsky, Elena Valova and Oleg Vasilyev have performed successfully. They climbed to the top steps of the podium at the World and European Championships, and Valova and Vasiliev became the champions of the Olympic Games in Sarajevo in 1984.

Traditionally, there are many strong sports couples in our country. Performances in this type of figure skating enable athletes to create a memorable sports image.

And finally, about sports dancing on ice - the youngest and most rapidly progressing form of figure skating. He was born in 1948. The idea of ​​creating sports dances on ice arose in the 30s from English coaches, and they also developed the first draft regulation on dance competitions.

For many years it was the English dancers who dictated the fashion.

But in 1962, for the first time, the wonderful Czechoslovakian figure skaters brother and sister Eva and Pavel Romanov won the world championship. And since then, the fight in the dance arena has become much sharper and more interesting.

The English dancers managed to subsequently regain the crown of the strongest, but not for long. The British dancers Diana Tauler and Bernard Ford were replaced by Soviet dancers Lyudmila Pakhomova and Alexander Gorshkov. Six times they were world and European champions, and at the 1976 Olympic Games in the Austrian city of Innsbruck, for the first time in history, they became Olympic champions (before that, at winter games Athletes competed only in singles and pair skating). It was the huge progress of sports dances on ice, in which the Soviet dancers played the main role, that gave dances Olympic citizenship.

Twice Irina Moiseeva and Andrei Minenkov were world champions in ice dancing. Their style was characterized by lyricism and musicality. Twice were world champions and Natalia Linichuk and Gennady Karpo-nosov. They also added gold medals to these awards. Olympic champions that conquered in the American city of Lake Placid. High level sports equipment, the ability to convey the idea of ​​the program to the viewer - their main distinctive creative features.

And then the era of English dancers came again. Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean became world and European champions four times and in 1984 they achieved such a long-awaited gold Olympic award for the English dance school. ; I cut off my short history lesson literally in mid-sentence. After all, figure skating continues to grow and develop. More and more new stars rise in the sports sky. And you yourself can become witnesses of how the history of the sport beloved by millions of people in all parts of the planet is being written on ice today - figure skating ...