Talk:Compulsory figures

Higher injury, missing skate control
Even though these compulsory figures aren't the most interesting to watch on TV, the skaters did not have to risk to much injury doing as many complicated jumps that they do now under the old competition system. Some of the most briliant jumpers such as Midori Ito and Tara Lipinski can no longer skate because of injuries incurred from these jumps. Skaters such as Peggy Flemming and Dorothy Hamill have had very long careers on the ice. Also, compulsory figures were a great measure of skate control. Oksana Baiul, who won the gold in 1994 after the new rules were added, did not have very good skate control and this affected her later career. Gmosaki 21:46, 15 January 2006 (UTC)

Special figures
"Special figures" were *not* the same thing as compulsory figures. "Special figures" were the fancy geometrical patterns that skaters invented on their own, like the Maltese cross, things shaped like flowers or rosettes, etc. Dr.frog 21:31, 27 February 2006 (UTC)


 * I'm going to create a new Wikipedia entry for special figures with appropriate references.  Dr.frog 16:25, 3 March 2006 (UTC)

Grapevines
I've added a bit on Grapevines. My source for this information is, but she references the following book: Jones, Ernest The Elements of Figure Skating, Second Edition, Unwin Brothers Limited, London, 1952 - which is what I have put in the article. I'm not sure if this is the right thing to do - but I'm being bold. --Gary van der Merwe 13:32, 24 July 2006 (UTC)


 * I've reverted this edit because I don't believe grapevines were ever considered "compulsory figures", or included in compulsory figure competition. E.g., Irving Brokaw's "The Art of Skating", written in 1910, classifies grapevines as elements of free skating.  The confusion may arise because, back then, even free skating elements were referred to as "figures".  E.g., Brokaw also refers to spirals as "figures", and says "Mohawks and Choctaws are favorite figures from which jumps may be made."   Anyway, what I suggest is starting a new article about grapevines, and when I have time I'll contribute what Brokaw has to say about them (3 pages in his book).  Dr.frog 15:31, 24 July 2006 (UTC)


 * Ok - Let me know if I can help in any way --Gary van der Merwe 06:47, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

Re-vamp
Like compulsory figures themselves, this article was very neglected. I believe that it now has been sufficiently improved. Essentially, I re-wrote it because almost the entire article had no sources. The template was there for good reason; I removed it because that's no longer the case. There aren't many sources out there about figures, but the ones I was able to find are solid and reliable. If anyone has any more resources we can use. please come forward with them.

I'm worried, though, that this article isn't comprehensive enough. A similar issue came up with one at Ice dance, although no one answered it there, as I suspect no one will here. But I put it here to record it and for future editors and reviewers to consider. I chose, for this article, to not go into specific detail about how the emphasis on compulsory figures early in the history of figure skating resulted in skaters who did well in figures and not well in freeskating tending to win medals, while skaters who excelled in freeskating (like Debi Thomas) and not do well in figures tended to lose. That kind of thing happened over and over again, but the sources only talked about contemporary examples. I'd like to know what folks think: if we should use the examples we have access to, or if we should keep it general, as I've done thus far.

Describing figures is challenging for me personally, as a non-skater, so I'd also appreciate experts coming behind me to make sure I have the wording right. Also, please suggest ways to make it more comprehensive and if we need to add sections for additional content. I'll wait 7 days for feedback, and then submit it to GA, as I've done with the other figure skating articles I've improved recently. Christine (Figureskatingfan) (talk) 21:51, 6 October 2018 (UTC)
 * As anticipated, no response. I will take silence as assent, and submit this article at GAN.  Perhaps I'll get some of the feedback I'd like there. Christine (Figureskatingfan) (talk) 22:33, 14 October 2018 (UTC)