Moves in the field is a name given to elements of figure skating that emphasize basic skating skill and edge control. In the context of a competitive program, 'moves in the field' include spirals, spread eagles, Ina Bauers, hydroblading, and similar extended edge moves.
In the United States, moves in the field also refers to skill tests consisting of progressively more difficult edge and step patterns. Similar concepts are called field moves in the United Kingdom and skating skills in Canada. Following the abolition of compulsory figures from international competition in 1990, figure skating federations in several countries developed these drills to teach the same elements as compulsory figures within a free skating format. Whereas skaters formerly learned advanced turns such as brackets, rockers, and counters by doing them in compulsory figures, now those elements are taught in the context of standard step sequences with an emphasis on power, carriage, and flow, rather than on tracing precise patterns on the ice.
U.S. Figure Skating requires each skater to pass a "Moves in the Field" test, as well as a free skating or free dance test, in order to qualify for the various levels of competition. Skaters must perform each field move in the specified pattern while demonstrating adequate power, quickness, edge control, and extension throughout the pattern to be accepted into the level.
Famous quotes containing the words moves in, moves and/or field:
“He
moves in a wood of desire,
pale antlers barely stirring
as he hunts. I cannot tell
what power is at work, drenched there
with purpose, knowing nothing.”
—Thom Gunn (b. 1929)
“Think of the wonderful circles in which our whole being moves and from which we cannot escape no matter how we try. The circler circles in these circles....”
—E.T.A.W. (Ernst Theodor Amadeus Wilhelm)
“I don’t like comparisons with football. Baseball is an entirely different game. You can watch a tight, well-played football game, but it isn’t exciting if half the stadium is empty. The violence on the field must bounce off a lot of people. But you can go to a ball park on a quiet Tuesday afternoon with only a few thousand people in the place and thoroughly enjoy a one-sided game. Baseball has an aesthetic, intellectual appeal found in no other team sport.”
—Bowie Kuhn (b. 1926)