Document 6456755

BVFSC 2012 – 2013 Officers & Board
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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
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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:
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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:
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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!