Very good. These are very important skills and I would love to see more figure content like this on youtube plus tutorials. No coaches in my part of the world really teach this!
I think they should bring this back as an ice skating event, maybe not as a component of the regular "free skating " competition, but a separate event. Heck, if curling is an Olympic sport, why not figures?
Figures use to be part of Olympic competition. However, it was removed, and eventually replaced with the short program. Some figures competitions still do exist, and if one can find the judges, one can still test school figures. However, it’s not taught nearly as much nowadays. If given the chance, I’d love to learn school figures myself.
I agree. I used to enjoy figures even though I was a better free skater. Figures taught you how to use edges and control. I think you're right about having them as a separate event though. I see figures very much like dressage in equestrian sports and they still have dressage in the Olympics.
@@janetslater129 they already had the short and long program plus figures. I learned figures in the 90s frankly I used to HATE figures practice but I absolutely see the value in the skill and it did help me with my edges.
I competed in the 60’s. 60% of our scores were figures. They required very expensive ice rental since only a very limited number of skaters could rent a “patch” at a time, as well as different boots, blades and frequently coaches. But bottom line.? They generated NO revenue. They were usually skated in competition in the early morning. No one even came to watch and certainly no TV coverage which is where the revenue is. Advertising.
Im so fascinated. Its incredible to learn and should be an intergal part of figure skating once more. Maybe not for olympics or worlds but for advancements to the next level similar to martial arts disciplines.
Thank you for posting this. What a beautiful, impressive self-taught skater you are. You make an excellent point, and you are helping bring back an important element to great technical skating!
Just watching this brings back those super cold mornings at the rink …. I used to hate doing these but it’s funny now when I go skating I always find myself somewhere on the ice still doing school figures ….. so funny and I still even have my scribe lol…..
Можно оставить как отдельный вид фигурки, но ни в коем случае не включать в основные соревнования по фигурному катанию. Вспомним, что та же Мидори Ито на Олимпиаде 1988г. стала только пятой, хотя в произвольном катании была на голову лучше всех, но в фигурах была далеко позади лидеров.
As a figure skater I never understood how we could extract figures from figure skating. These were the basic principles for everything we did. We need to bring figures back. They matter.
The waltz 8 (3-turn 8 here) and double threes on half-circles and the rockers, counters, and brackets are all on MITF, but the emphasis is definitely speed and power, not precision, now.
This is how they were performed at international competitions as a compulsory section that came before the free skating. Billy Schober competed at the 1976 winter Olympics so I trust that he knows what he is doing. Compulsory figures were completely dropped from competition in 1990. I am not sure what videos you have watched because there is not a lot of footage of traditional figures (because it doesn't make good TV). There are smaller figures called loops but they are only one part of compulsory figures the other figures are done on larger circles. If you are still in doubt ask one of the older skaters at your local rink, someone over 50 who would have performed these in competitions The only footage that I know of that has compulsory figures in it is Robin Cousins -Gold on ice.
"The only footage that I know of that has compulsory figures in it is Robin Cousins -Gold on ice." UA-cam has tons of them. None have figures anywhere near this size.
Matt G. The smaller figures are the loops. Loops are only one part of compulsory figures. Most of the footage that is around only shows loops because they are quicker and smaller and the last part of the compulsory figures program before the placings are awarded. There is not much footage around with actual complete figures programs because it takes many hours and does not make good TV.
+Walter Babst There is no need for personal insults. Billy has competed at the Olympics and World Championships before a successful professional skating career. This video is a demonstration of some of the skills that every figure skater had to master to compete at the world class level.
I was at icehouse in Jan, couldn't concentrate because the music was sooo loud. There was a group of us figure skaters, on this day we asked for the music to be reduced just a bit. We got a mouthful from the manager who responded with a: "we can't turn it off" and something about it being a public session. He somehow failed to see that the 10 of us were public, and even though we asked nicely and politely we were still challenged on it. Eventually they did, but then some girl put it up even louder an hour or so later saying someone requested this. Which was rubbish because when looking around just young children with their parents and people in wheelchairs - all also trying to concentrate. So, as public skaters, we have no say and got a battle from staff and the manager when we submitted a request. Oakleigh has soul and personality. The music is at an appropriate level for all, it's mellow and there's no blaring and offensive movie clips. Oakleigh's just more civilised.
It was a huge mistake to remove them from training. It would have been better to take them out of competition keeping them as the foundational training tool that they are, change the requirement to only 2 tracings per figure, perhaps 3 at senior. Moves do NOT teach the foundational principles of ice skating even remotely as well - making it much much harder to teach free skating skills. For the super naturals and super talented, no problem. But for the majority of average human beings, figures are essential - the system today is like trying to teach Calc and Trig without the foundational fundamentals of basic lower level math skills first.
Well there’s no wonder some don’t consider this a sport. I couldn’t imagine grabbing a front row seat on the couch with popcorn for this boring event 😂
Very good. These are very important skills and I would love to see more figure content like this on youtube plus tutorials. No coaches in my part of the world really teach this!
Also, doing figures is like a meditational experience when I do them. I love it
This. It's zenlike.
My first coach... Happy to see him here
I think they should bring this back as an ice skating event, maybe not as a component of the regular "free skating " competition, but a separate event. Heck, if curling is an Olympic sport, why not figures?
Figures use to be part of Olympic competition. However, it was removed, and eventually replaced with the short program. Some figures competitions still do exist, and if one can find the judges, one can still test school figures. However, it’s not taught nearly as much nowadays. If given the chance, I’d love to learn school figures myself.
I agree. I used to enjoy figures even though I was a better free skater. Figures taught you how to use edges and control. I think you're right about having them as a separate event though. I see figures very much like dressage in equestrian sports and they still have dressage in the Olympics.
Really lol
@@janetslater129 they already had the short and long program plus figures.
I learned figures in the 90s frankly I used to HATE figures practice but I absolutely see the value in the skill and it did help me with my edges.
I competed in the 60’s. 60% of our scores were figures. They required very expensive ice rental since only a very limited number of skaters could rent a “patch” at a time, as well as different boots, blades and frequently coaches. But bottom line.? They generated NO revenue. They were usually skated in competition in the early morning. No one even came to watch and certainly no TV coverage which is where the revenue is. Advertising.
Beautiful 8s and Serpentines Sir! Figures are a labour of love for sure... Back charge loop might be the coolest figure....!
Im so fascinated. Its incredible to learn and should be an intergal part of figure skating once more. Maybe not for olympics or worlds but for advancements to the next level similar to martial arts disciplines.
It is part of advancement to the next discipline in skating, it's part of the testing structure called "moves in the field."
Lily Monster thank you. I did not know that. This makes it even more interesting actually. Thank you again.
@@binkbaf Yes, you have to pass 8 levels of moves in the field and 8 levels of freeskate to be eligible to compete as a US athlete.
🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
This brings back memories of very cold morning patch sessions...
Thank you for posting this. What a beautiful, impressive self-taught skater you are. You make an excellent point, and you are helping bring back an important element to great technical skating!
Seriously 😳
Self-taught? Think again. Billy was Six-time Australian champion, an Olympian and World competitor, and was a pupil of Carlo Fassi.
Yeah, I love cruising on my edges like this. I can do patch for hours. Add upper body port de bras and make it really special.
Just watching this brings back those super cold mornings at the rink …. I used to hate doing these but it’s funny now when I go skating I always find myself somewhere on the ice still doing school figures ….. so funny and I still even have my scribe lol…..
Those of us who have spent a lot of time on the ice know that compulsory figures are not easy...it takes a lot of hard work, practice, and patience!!
but honestly so essential
Legit skill, ty for showing me something I never knew about.
Same definitely got me researching on it now so cool.
Можно оставить как отдельный вид фигурки, но ни в коем случае не включать в основные соревнования по фигурному катанию. Вспомним, что та же Мидори Ито на Олимпиаде 1988г. стала только пятой, хотя в произвольном катании была на голову лучше всех, но в фигурах была далеко позади лидеров.
I enjoyed doing figures. I used to get the key to the ice rink and could go in and practice on the misty pebbled surface......cold though..
As a figure skater I never understood how we could extract figures from figure skating. These were the basic principles for everything we did. We need to bring figures back. They matter.
The waltz 8 (3-turn 8 here) and double threes on half-circles and the rockers, counters, and brackets are all on MITF, but the emphasis is definitely speed and power, not precision, now.
Normal is boring, thanks for posting this, I'm not ready to give up my skating goals just yet.
Thank you so great!!!
Help! What should be the size of the circle?? Thanks 😊
so relaxing....
Those figures are beyond gigantic. How come?
Matt G. Because that is how they used to be performed in competitions.
Nope. Look up any videos of figures being skated at Olympics, Word Championship, or Nationals. They are a fraction of the size of this figure.
This is how they were performed at international competitions as a compulsory section that came before the free skating. Billy Schober competed at the 1976 winter Olympics so I trust that he knows what he is doing. Compulsory figures were completely dropped from competition in 1990. I am not sure what videos you have watched because there is not a lot of footage of traditional figures (because it doesn't make good TV). There are smaller figures called loops but they are only one part of compulsory figures the other figures are done on larger circles. If you are still in doubt ask one of the older skaters at your local rink, someone over 50 who would have performed these in competitions The only footage that I know of that has compulsory figures in it is Robin Cousins -Gold on ice.
"The only footage that I know of that has compulsory figures in it is Robin Cousins -Gold on ice." UA-cam has tons of them. None have figures anywhere near this size.
Matt G. The smaller figures are the loops. Loops are only one part of compulsory figures. Most of the footage that is around only shows loops because they are quicker and smaller and the last part of the compulsory figures program before the placings are awarded. There is not much footage around with actual complete figures programs because it takes many hours and does not make good TV.
I can't wait till I'm in freestyle, then can take figures lessons somewhere...... in gamma right now.
This is great. Are you going to do more of these Billy?
+Sa qua The guy's a drip. Try the icehouse for a better skating surface.
+Walter Babst There is no need for personal insults. Billy has competed at the Olympics and World Championships before a successful professional skating career. This video is a demonstration of some of the skills that every figure skater had to master to compete at the world class level.
I was at icehouse in Jan, couldn't concentrate because the music was sooo loud. There was a group of us figure skaters, on this day we asked for the music to be reduced just a bit. We got a mouthful from the manager who responded with a: "we can't turn it off" and something about it being a public session. He somehow failed to see that the 10 of us were public, and even though we asked nicely and politely we were still challenged on it. Eventually they did, but then some girl put it up even louder an hour or so later saying someone requested this. Which was rubbish because when looking around just young children with their parents and people in wheelchairs - all also trying to concentrate. So, as public skaters, we have no say and got a battle from staff and the manager when we submitted a request.
Oakleigh has soul and personality. The music is at an appropriate level for all, it's mellow and there's no blaring and offensive movie clips. Oakleigh's just more civilised.
What an extraordinarily miserable old man you are.
read alittle Fuck you!
Watch Yuzuru Hanyu and you'll see every single one of these done at a dizzying pace.
It was a huge mistake to remove them from training. It would have been better to take them out of competition keeping them as the foundational training tool that they are, change the requirement to only 2 tracings per figure, perhaps 3 at senior. Moves do NOT teach the foundational principles of ice skating even remotely as well - making it much much harder to teach free skating skills. For the super naturals and super talented, no problem. But for the majority of average human beings, figures are essential - the system today is like trying to teach Calc and Trig without the foundational fundamentals of basic lower level math skills first.
Well there’s no wonder some don’t consider this a sport. I couldn’t imagine grabbing a front row seat on the couch with popcorn for this boring event 😂