BVFSC 2012 – 2013 Officers & Board • • • • • • • Jennifer Hathaway ~ President Heather Correa ~ Vice President - Membership Julie Mack ~ Vice President – Testing Margo Dailey ~ Secretary Sheila Thomas ~ Treasurer Michael Torano ~ Member at Large Kim Williams ~ Member at Large BVFSC 2012 – 2013 Committee Chairs • • • • • • Kim Williams~ Coach’s Liaison Becky Jobling ~ Competition Chair Open ~ Fundraising Chair Margo Dailey ~ Rink Liaison Kim Williams ~ Skater Development Kim Williams ~ Web Master Communication www.bvfsc.org www.usfigureskating.org Facebook: ArcticWolf FigureSkating Resources • 2012-13 Tests Book ~ US Figure Skating – http://www.usfigureskating.org/New_Judgi ng.asp?id=361 • Moves in the Field, 5th Edition – Can be ordered through your coach What are U.S. Figure Skating Tests? • As skaters near the completion of their basic skills levels, they can begin working on U.S. Figure Skating tests. • Skaters first test will be the Pre-Preliminary Moves in the Field. • Moves in the Field and Freeskate have 8 levels. Adults have 4 levels, which combine similar elements to the standard tests. • Pairs and Ice Dance Free tests have 5 levels. Pattern Ice Dance has 8 levels, comprised of 33 dances. How Tests Correlate • Moves in the Field must be passed before skaters can take the correlating Freeskate or Pairs tests. Skaters passing their Senior test are considered “GoldMedalists”. PREPRELIMINARY INTERMEDIATE NOVICE PRELIMINARY PREJUVENILE JUVENILE JUNIOR SENIOR How Tests Correlate • Pattern Ice Dances must be passed before skaters can take the correlating Free Dance tests. SILVER/ JUNIOR PRELIMINARY/ JUVENILE PRE-GOLD PRE-BRONZE BRONZE/ INTERMEDIATE PRE-SILVER/ NOVICE GOLD/ SENIOR INTERNATIONAL What are Moves in the Field? • Moves in the Field is the compulsory portion of figure skating. It replaced school figures in the mid-’90s. • Field moves consist of just about anything except jumps and spins. • Edgework, power elements, spirals, turns, steps, & quick movement elements • Almost everything in a skating program that happens between the jumps and spins are the field moves. What are Moves in the Field? • Skaters completing the Freeskate 6 will have been exposed to all of their Moves in the Field skills for the first two (PrePreliminary and Preliminary) levels, and portions of the third and fourth level (Pre-Juvenile and Juvenile) What are Moves in the Field? • Pre-Preliminary – Pattern 1: Perimeter Stroking (Freeskate 1) – Pattern 2: Forward and Backward edges (Freeskate 1 & 2) – Pattern 3: Straight-line spirals (Basic 6) – Pattern 4: Waltz Eight (Freeskate 3) What are Moves in the Field? • Preliminary – Pattern 1: Crossover Figure 8 (Freeskate 3) – Pattern 2: Spirals on edges (Freeskate 2) – Pattern 3: Power three-turns (Freeskate 4) – Pattern 4: Alternating three-turns (evolves from turns learned in Basic 8) – Pattern 5: Forward Figure 8 (evolves from forward edges learned in Freeskate 1) – Pattern 6: Landing Positions (Freeskate 6) The Importance of Testing • U.S. Figure Skating tests are governed by U.S. Figure Skating, and are consistent throughout the United States. • Judges receive training and must be certified at different levels before judging tests. They strive to hold all skaters to the same standard. • All tests marked “pass” or “retry” are kept on file under a skaters member number. • Tests determine a skater’s level. When to Start Testing • Skaters are ready to begin working on Pre-Preliminary Moves in the Field by the time the are in Freeskate 2 or 3. Many coaches will already be incorporating the patterns into their lessons. • Moves in the Field (MIF) tests can be taken at any time. They do not affect a skater’s competition level, except for Synchronized Skating teams. • Progress through MIF levels will strengthen a skater’s freeskate skills. When to Start Testing • Freeskate, pairs, and ice dance-free dance tests are much more strategic. • Competitive skaters do not want to test a freeskate until they are ready to compete at that level. • Many skaters will actually begin competing at a higher level before testing their Freeskate, as competitions allow skaters to “compete up” a level. Test vs. Competition Levels Pre-Preliminary Freeskate Test: – – – – – – Waltz Jump Salchow Toe-Loop ½ Flip Jump ½ Lutz Jump Upright (scratch) spin Pre-Preliminary Competition for a 10-year old: – All single jumps, including loop, flip, lutz, and sometimes axel; Jumps done in combination – Most basic spins, especially sit spin and camel; Spins done in combination Test vs. Competition Levels Preliminary Freeskate Test: – – – – – – – Waltz Jump Salchow Loop Jump Flip Jump Toe-loop Combination Jump Upright change foot spin Sit spin Preliminary Competition for a 10-year old: – All single jumps, including axel; Two double jumps allowed, and often seen for younger ages – basic spins, including layback, and back spin positions; Higher-level spin features When to Start Testing • Non-competitive skaters can take Freeskate tests as soon as they are ready, provided they have passed the prerequisite MIF test. • Be very aware of a skater’s age before deciding to push through Freeskate tests. A younger skater may not want to rush, in case goals change. • For skaters not interested in competing, pursuing tests is an excellent way to keep a skater motivated, allow them to have solid goals, and encourage skill progression. • U.S. Figure Skating tests passed, are basically a skater’s “credentials”. Ready to Test? • Skaters need to be very strong at skills before they test. • All tests build on each other, so skaters are at a disadvantage if they move through levels without being solid. • Tests are performed in front of official judges. These judges have a set standard they are looking for. • Allow for some wiggle room for the skate that may get nervous and make unusual mistakes. Ready to Test? • Expect to spend a minimum of 6 months preparing for a test. • Higher level tests often take a year or more. • Very few skaters will pass every test they take. • Skaters need to understand the importance of the test session, and take their preparation seriously. Signing up for a Test • Tests must be held by an official U.S. Figure Skating Club (such as the BVFSC), and adhere to all rules as set forth in the Tests Book published every year. • Skaters can test at another club as well. They will often have an extra fee, and will need to have a form signed by a BVFSC officer stating they are clear to test. • Have your coach check your test form for accuracy, and always include your payment with the test form. • Clubs rarely allow late sign-ups, so be aware of due dates, which are often a month in advance. • Once the sign-up deadline has passed, refunds will usually not be issued if a skater decides to pull their test. Test Day • Skaters testing moves in the field should dress in their “Sunday Best”. • Tailored skating skirt/dress for ladies, hole-free tights, neat hair, light make-up, if desired. • Jackets can be worn (at the discretion of your coach), but need to be sedate. A club jacket is perfect for this. Avoid hoodies. • On particularly cold days, gloves can be worn, but be careful of colors and designs that are too eye catching. Test Day • Freeskate tests and dances are performances, so skaters will dress much like they would for an exhibition. No jackets or gloves. • Once a skater is finished, they are able to take their skates off while waiting on test results. Results often take 20-30 minutes. • Test results are always given to the coach. It is the coach’s responsibility to speak to the skater about their test, and is not to be discussed by anyone else, unless at the skater’s choosing. A Skater’s First Test • For the Pre-Preliminary/Adult Pre-Bronze Moves in the Field, and the PrePreliminary/Adult Pre-Bronze Freeskate, the test is pass/retry. No numerical scores are given. • There will often be 2-3 skaters on the ice at one time. Each skater has their own judge. • If a skater makes a mistake that can affect the outcome of their test, a judge can ask to see a reskate of one element for MIF, and two elements for Freeskate. • Your private coach should go over exactly what to expect with the skater. A Skater’s First Test • The Pre-Preliminary / Adult Pre-Bronze Freeskate test will be performed without music, similar to a compulsory competition event. • Skaters are able to come speak with their coach between patterns/elements. At this level, many don’t. Test Number Two • Beginning with the Preliminary / Adult Bronze tests, skaters will begin receiving numerical scores. • Every test has a passing standard. This will increase as test levels progress. The average of the skater’s scores must equal the passing average, or the test will be marked “retry”. • For MIF, each pattern receives a score. Test Number Two • The Preliminary/Adult Bronze freeskate will be performed as a program to music. • The routine must have all of the required elements. Completion of these elements makes up the technical score. • The second score is the performance score. Third Test Level and Beyond • Beginning with the Pre-Juvenile / Adult Silver levels, there must be three judges, so skaters will be on the ice by themselves for MIF. • Skaters must pass by two of the three judges in order to pass the test. • Receiving feedback from the three judges will truly make it clear that everyone sees different things when watching a skater test or perform. Scores and comments can be very different across judges. • For MIF, most skaters will begin speaking with their coach between each pattern, and often like to have water available. Test Session Etiquette • Be respectful of other testers. No distractions. • Not all skaters will want to discuss their test after they are done. Allow the skater to decide if they want to talk about it. • Judges are to be treated respectfully at all times. • Coaches need to instigate any conversation with a judge, should one be necessary, not parents. When a test is marked “Retry” • If a test is not up to the passing standard, the judges will mark it “retry”, giving the skater the opportunity to test again. • A test can be re-taken after 27 days have passed. • If testing out of town, the form will need to list the last date a test was attempted. • Read through the judges comments very carefully. They truly want the skaters to do well, and comments are provided in the interest of skaters being able to improve for the next test try, or next level. Preparing for a Test • Consistent practice – Use field moves as a warm-up. Be sure to practice entire test at least once every week, more if testing is coming up. • The Moves Class is a great way to get weekly practice, especially at those times of year that we have other priorities. It is also a chance to work with another coach, who may offer different insights than your regular private coach. Preparing for a Test • A large part of a test being at a passing standard is confidence and comfort-level with the skills. This cannot usually be obtained at the last minute, but only through steady practice. • Be sure to talk with your coach periodically on testing goals, and be sure that progress on the next test is part of the plan. Ice Dancing • Question & Answer: Thank you!