A mother cornered me at the boards after Regionals, certain the system was broken: her skater skated clean, the other girl fell — and still scored higher. I get this question every season. In this guide, a two-time Olympic coach breaks down exactly how figure skating scoring works: the Technical Element Score, Grade of Execution, Program Component Score, deductions, and why difficulty so often beats a "perfect" skate. Real base value tables included.
Read MoreThe complete 2026–27 U.S. Figure Skating competition calendar — NQS events from July through October, Sectional and National Finals, U.S. Championships in January, international competitions, and more. Dates confirmed as of publication, updated as announcements arrive.
Read MoreYour skater’s coach just said she’s ready to test — and now you have a dozen questions. What exactly is a USFS test session? Who are the judges? What happens if she doesn’t pass? This guide answers everything a first-time test family needs to know, from how sessions work to what to wear, what to expect, and how to walk in calm.
Read MoreYour child’s first USFS competition doesn’t have to be stressful — it just has to be prepared for. This week-by-week guide walks skating families through everything that happens off the ice: registration deadlines, costume fittings, bag packing, competition-day roles, and the one thing every parent should say after the final bow. From 8 weeks out to the post-event debrief, here’s the manual nobody hands you.
Read More
