Moves in the Field is a name given to elements of figure skating

Figure skating

Figure skating is an Olympic sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform spins, jumps, footwork and other intricate and challenging moves on ice skates. Figure skaters compete at various levels from beginner up to the Olympic level , and at local, national, and international competitions...

 that emphasize basic skating skills and edge control. In the context of a competitive program, moves in the field include spirals

Spiral (figure skating)

A spiral is an element in figure skating where the skater glides on one foot while raising the free leg above hip level. It is akin to the arabesque in ballet....

, spread eagles

Spread eagle (figure skating)

The spread eagle is one of the moves in the field in the sport of figure skating, in which a skater glides on both feet, the toes turned out to the sides, heels facing each other. It can be performed on either the inside or outside edges. It is commonly used as an entrance to jumps, adding to the...

, Ina Bauers

Ina Bauer (element)

An Ina Bauer is a moves in the field element in figure skating in which a skater skates on two parallel blades. One foot is on a forward edge and the other leg is on a backwards and different parallel edge. The forward leg is bent slightly and the trailing leg is straight. If the leading leg is on...

, hydroblading

Hydroblading

Hydroblading is a figure skating move in the field in which a skater glides on a deep edge with the body stretched in a very low position, almost horizontal to the ice...

, and similar extended edge moves.

In the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, moves in the field also refers to a set of skill

Skill

A skill is the learned capacity to carry out pre-determined results often with the minimum outlay of time, energy, or both. Skills can often be divided into domain-general and domain-specific skills...

 tests consisting of progressively difficult edge and step patterns. Similar concepts are called field moves in the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

 and skating skills in Canada

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

. Following the abolition of compulsory figures

Compulsory figures

Compulsory figures or school figures were formerly an aspect of the sport of figure skating, from which the sport derives its name. Carving specific patterns or figures into the ice was the original focus of the sport. The patterns of compulsory figures all derive from the basic figure eight...

 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 discipline. For example, whereas skaters formerly learned advanced turns such as brackets

Bracket turn

A bracket turn is a kind of one-foot turn in figure skating. The transition between edges during the turn is the same as for a three turn - for example, forward inside edge to back outside edge - but unlike a three turn, in which the cusp of the turn points into the curve of the arc on which it is...

, rockers

Rocker turn

A rocker turn is a kind of one-foot turn in figure skating. Unlike three turns and brackets, where the entry and exit edges follow the same curve, in a rocker the entry and exit are on opposite curves. When executing a rocker, the skater turns inward on the curve of the entry edge, but exits on a...

, and counters

Counter turn

A counter turn is a kind of one-foot turn in figure skating. Unlike three turns and brackets, where the entry and exit edges follow the same curve, in a counter the entry and exit are on opposite curves. When executing a counter, the skater turns outward to the curve of the entry edge, and exits...

 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.

The U.S. Figure Skating Association requires each skater to pass a Moves in the Field test, as well as a free skating

Free skating

The free skating competition of figure skating, sometimes called the "free skate" or "long program", is usually the second of two phases in major figure skating competitions in single skating and pair skating. It is the longer of the two programs, the other one being the Short Program...

 or free dance

Free dance (figure skating)

The free dance is a part of an ice dancing competition. It is the second part of the competition to be contested, after the short dance.-Structure and content:...

test, in order to qualify for the various levels of competition. The skater 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.