Here, it will be seen, is the beginning, the ground-work of English skating. The easiest turn has to be skated, the four edges have to be skated; also the easiest “8” has to be skated, in order to familiarise the beginner with the idea of leaving a point on one stroke and continuing to travel on that stroke (with turns to punctuate it, as he will see later) until he arrives back at that point again. The point in question is marked for him on the ice with an orange or a ball. And whether in single skating or in combined, it is called the centre. Simple as this third test is, it has to be skated in proper English form, which the learner should begin to acquire from the first moment he takes a serious stroke on the ice. For it is vastly easier to acquire good form at the beginning of his education, than to acquire bad habits which must subsequently be got rid of.
SECOND-CLASS TEST
(a) A set of combined figures skated with another skater, who will be selected by the judges, introducing the following calls in such order and with such repetitions as the judges may direct:—
| 1. Forward three meet. |
| 2. Once back—and forward meet. |
| 3. Once back—and forward three meet. |
| 4. Twice back off meet—and forward three meet. |
| 5. Twice back meet—and back—and forward three meet. |
(b) The judges shall call three “unseen” figures of quite simple character, in order to test the candidate’s knowledge of calls and power of placing figures upon the ice. These shall be skated alone.
(c) The following edges on each foot alternately for as long as the judges shall require, namely:—
| 1. Inside back, each curve being 20 ft. at least. |
| 2. Cross outside back, each curve being 12 ft. at least. |
(d) The following figures skated on each foot, namely:—
| 1. | Forward inside three, the length of each curve being 40 ft. at least | {R {L |
| 2. | Forward outside three “ “ “ 50 ft. “ | {R {L |