This month we will focus on those skaters completing the Basic Skills program and moving into the regular US Figure Skating testing structure. Just when you thought you had mastered the system…………….a new one takes its place!
Information here will focus on how the regular US Figure Skating testing and competitive system works at the early levels.
When moving into these tests your child will be required to take the test at a regular US Figure skating testing session. Your coach will no longer be in charge of administering the test out of the booklets. The skater will take the ice and go through the specific moves for the test and a panel of 1-3 judges will
evaluate your child’s required elements and render a pass or retry decision.
The judges, many of whom were skaters themselves, or parents of skaters have many years experience in judging skaters. Most understand the nerves of a first time tester and try to make the skater feel at ease as they go through the testing process. After the test is complete, you will receive a copy of the judge’s sheets for your records. Each judge will score the skater and mark a pass or retry on the sheet. For a one-judge panel it is simply a pass or retry mark. If a 3-judge panel is used, two of the three judges must mark the test as a pass.
The first test your child will take is the Pre Preliminary Moves in the Field test
(Moves) these tests are designed to help the skater learn all of the basic edges, positions, a variety of turns, patterning on the ice, power, and speed and body core strength. These tests are associated with each competitive level in skating. After passing the Moves test your child then can take the Freeskating (freestyle jumps and spins and program to music). portion of the test. So from here on out as they advance up the ladder moves test, Freeskate test. Pre Preliminary, Preliminary, Pre Juvenile, Juvenile, Intermediate, Novice, Junior and the final Senior level.
The moves test for each specific level must be passed before the Freeskating test for each level can be taken. Be sure to understand that the Freeskating level determines your child’s competitive level. Although some skaters may pass additional moves test beyond their Freeskating level they are still only able to compete at the level of the Freeskating test passed. So even if you have passed a Preliminary Moves( test # 2 of the 8 moves tests) and still have not passed the Pre-Preliminary Freeskating test you are a Non-test level competitor.
The entire testing structure is a building block for your child’s progression in skating. Generally speaking skaters will work one moves test above their
Freeskating level so that as the competitive year progresses and they wish to move up to the next level they will already have passed the next moves test and so on and so for down the line. Be sure to understand that the overall result is to have a well balance skater. Spending equal amounts of practice and lesson time on both the Moves and the Freeskating at the earlier levels will help to lay a good foundation for the later tests.
Next month ….. Moving on to the competition side and well balanced Freeskating programs.
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