What are compulsory figures in Artistic Skating?

I grew up doing skating figures, and honestly, they were never my favourite part of training. Every practice or competition felt like standing under a microscope. Judges would position themselves just centimetres away from the circles, watching every tiny deviation from the line, every movement that wasn’t perfectly contained within the structure.

It wasn’t only about technique; it was about aerodynamics, how the body moves through space with precision. At that age, I was too young to understand what daily practice was building. My coach, Gabriela Spadaccini, would sometimes make us practise on different circles with my best friends, probably because any conversation we had felt more exciting than tracing the same figure eight over and over again haha.

What I couldn’t see back then was that my body was building something extraordinary:a roadmap between neurons and movement, deep coordination patterns that later shaped every skill I learned on skates. It became the base for the language I use to share my knowledge with other skaters, my alignment, my flow, and the way I move across styles and disciplines, while keeping my body preserved and connected over the years.

The Geometry of Control

In artistic skating, compulsory figures (also called school figures) are built on precise geometry, usually circles of six metres in diameter for adults, or five metres for younger skaters.

Each figure follows a specific pattern:

• Eights: Numbers 1–4 are the core basics.

• Change Eights: introducing controlled edge transitions.

• Threes, Brackets, Rockers and Counters:  adding rotations and direction changes.

• Loops: small, tight circles that demand the highest level of balance and edge control.

In total, there are around 40 recognised figures in international standards (e.g., World Skate and CAP/Argentina), organised by complexity:  from basic balance drills to the most intricate ones. Every one of them trains stability, symmetry and conscious use of the body.

The Science Behind Precision and Balance

Repeating the same movement on a defined circle may look monotonous (and it might feel that way too), but it’s one of the most effective ways to refine neuromuscular coordination.

Research in motor learning shows that repetitive, focused movements lead the cerebellum (responsible for balance, detailed movement, rhythm and drill memory) and somatosensory cortex (in charge of coordination and proprioception) to adapt, enhancing proprioception, our sense of position and movement in space. Each repetition strengthens neural pathways that regulate balance and alignment. Over time, this creates an internal system of efficiency and protection (when practised with sound technique).

Skaters who develop a figures foundation tend to show sharper reflexes, cleaner edges and a natural sense of flow that transfers to everything else they do. That move you saw on social media, or that new spin at last night’s rink? You can analyse and recreate it more efficiently, for both body and mind, when it’s grounded in a locomotor perspective rather than just copying shapes.

Research indicates that athletes and performers who engage in focused, high-precision movement drills show enhanced interoceptive awareness (the ability to sense and adjust balance and position before obvious instability sets in). (Ferentzi et al., 2018; Price et al., 2018)

Why I still teach figures (even if you’re not competing)

In my classes, I bring this discipline back not for competition, but as conscious movement practice. We use figures to reconnect with our edges, physically and mentally, and to refine how we move with intention. Because hitting a clean edge isn’t just about precision; it’s about awareness. And awareness, in skating as in life, is what turns repetition into art.

If this resonates, start small: pick a circle (5–6 m or even your imaginary one), choose one edge (outside or inside either forwards or backwards), and give yourself five focused laps. Notice what changes by lap three. That’s the practice.

Here are some accounts of figures that helps understand the discipline: https://youtu.be/8dnKmFLbbaE?si=GRBRyjSMmb8SWlCl https://www.instagram.com/academia_argentinadefiguras?igsh=YTEwbmd1dzcwcHBq