Req 2a — Ice Skating Overview

Option A covers everything you need to skate safely and competently on ice — from understanding your equipment and the rink environment to executing specific skills in front of your counselor. Work through each subrequirement in order; the skills build on one another.

What You’ll Complete

• Req 2a1 — Ice Safety & Courtesy: Explain the general safety rules and skater courtesy that keep everyone safe at the rink or on outdoor ice.
• Req 2a2 — Outdoor Ice & Ice Rescue: Discuss preparations for outdoor ice skating and explain the steps to rescue someone who has fallen through the ice.
• Req 2a3 — Parts of Ice Skates: Identify and explain the function of the parts of different types of ice skates.
• Req 2a4 — Carrying Skates: Describe the safe way to carry ice skates at the rink and during travel.
• Req 2a5 — Storing Skates: Describe proper long-term storage to protect blades and boots between seasons.
• Req 2a6 — Forward Skating & Stop: Skate forward at least 40 feet and come to a complete stop using a snowplow stop.
• Req 2a7 — Forward Glide: Glide forward on two feet and then on one foot, right and left.
• Req 2a8 — T-Position Stroking: Start from a T position and stroke forward around the test area.
• Req 2a9 — Backward Glide: Glide backward on two feet for a distance at least twice your height.
• Req 2a10 — Backward Skating: Skate backward continuously for at least 20 feet on two skates.
• Req 2a11 — 180° Turn Around Cone: Glide forward and make a 180° turn around a cone, first right then left.
• Req 2a12 — Forward Crossovers: Perform forward crossovers in a figure-eight pattern.
• Req 2a13 — Ice Race Safety: Explain safety considerations for participating in an ice-skating race.
• Req 2a14 — Hockey Stop: Perform a hockey stop.

Before You Begin

Make sure you have access to a rink (indoor or outdoor) and that your counselor can observe your skill demonstrations in person. Skates that fit properly make an enormous difference — your heel should be snug in the boot and there should be no more than a finger-width of space at the toe. Dull or damaged blades make many of these skills much harder, so have your skates sharpened if they have not been used recently.

Official Resources