S.T.A.R.S.
Fun! Motivating! Challenging! Rewarding!
Become a better athlete as you become a better skater! Participate in S.T.A.R.S. (Skater Talent and Athleticism Recognition System).
S.T.A.R.S. is a new system of off-ice fitness assessment and development designed to support U.S. Figure Skating's existing testing and competition progressions. Its development is based primarily on the need to promote robust, all-around fitness in young American skaters; to push and maintain the athletic ability curve ahead of the skills curve; to ensure that young figure skaters are physically prepared to handle the introduction of new, more complex and more demanding skating skills; and to reduce the potential for injury typically sustained during the training of these new skills.
One of the key features of S.T.A.R.S. is that it is a system. As such, S.T.A.R.S. is designed to establish standards of athleticism for young figure skaters and to encourage progression through the system by incorporating a "building" series of tests, achievement awards and improvement certificates.
Participating skaters, and their coaches and parents, will have access age-, gender- and competitive-matched assessment data across the United States and the opportunity to be recognized not only for national performance but for individual achievement and personal improvement. In addition, S.T.A.R.S. will provide a sequence of opportunities for the coaches and families of skaters who demonstrate exceptional aptitude for athleticism and figure skating as an athletic sport.
The standards, data and opportunities will take some time to develop. Preliminary testing has already confirmed that participation stimulates interest and motivates young skaters to practice the off-ice assessments. Participation in S.T.A.R.S. should be fun, motivating, challenging and personally rewarding. We look forward to working with you in our first year of S.T.A.R.S!
