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U.S. Figure Skating 101 From a Parent’s Perspective
Central Illinois Figure Skating Club December 2015
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Agenda Definitions Competitions Goals Resources (links, books, etc)
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Definitions
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DEFINITIONS - Disciplines
Singles Pairs Ice Dance Synchronized (Team) Disciplines are not the same as U.S. Figure Skating Programs Example Programs: High School Programs. On USFS website, there is a tab for “Programs”.
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DEFINITIONS – Skill Levels
Senior Junior Novice Intermediate Juvenile Pre-Juvenile Preliminary Pre-Preliminary (pre-pre) Basic Skills (See Other Presentation) Basic 1 – 8, Free Skate 1 – 6 Competitive Early Competitive - This list is singles. Pairs and Dance disciplines have small differences. For example, they start at Pre-Juvenile, not at Basic Skills. - This is US Figure Skating perspective of the development pipeline for international competitions. There are other paths thru these skill levels. It does not always have to be for competitive goals. Introductory And Developmental
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DEFINITIONS – Testing Skills
Moves In the Field (MITF or MIF) – considered “prerequisite” Free Skate* (FS) – tests technical elements (jumps, spins, footwork) Pairs* – tests technical elements specific to pair skating Pattern Dance or Solo Pattern Dance (i.e. Compulsory Dance) – tests steps in music in particular tempo Free Dance or Solo Free Dance* – test technical elements specific to ice dance skating. MIF first, then FS. Once pass FS, then compete at that level (remember the * for later) Can’t compete “down” Usually skater takes one up MIF and FS on same day Example: Preliminary FS and Pre-Juvenile MIF - *Must pass to compete in qualifying competitions. See later slides - “U.S. Figure Skating’s test structure can be compared to karate, and the process of an athlete earning belts until they achieve their black belt. “ - Only clubs can hold test sessions. - Skaters move at their own pace. It’s up to them! - MIFs test skating skills. - See ‘achievement board’ in the Pepsi Ice Center lobby for details on progression of test structure.
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DEFINITIONS – Testing Illustration
Test Level MIF FS Senior Junior Novice Intermediate Juvenile Pre-Juvenile Preliminary Pre-Preliminary (pre-pre) Basic Skills N/A 11/1/2015 Pass 4/1/2015 Pass 11/1/2015 Retry -It’s a ‘pass’ or ‘retry’. The scoring, scale, relativeness is different than competition scoring systems. 1/1/2015 Pass 4/1/2015 Pass
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DEFINITIONS – Judging Systems
6.0 Odd # Judges take notes during all skaters performance Judges assign score then converted to ordinal placement Accountant (really computer) then tallies the placements with majority receiving “1” earns first place. Understanding 6.0 Scoring System provides further detail International Judging System (IJS) Component scores – artistry Technical scores – jumps, spins, footwork -> GOE Both pieces added up to get total score for that performance Understanding IJS Scoring System provides further detail -Examples of both are on later slides. -For both judging systems at each skill level, the mechanism for evaluating is the same regardless of male/female.
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DEFINITIONS – 6.0 Judging - Example judges sheet for 6.0 scoring. This is not provided afterward to public nor coaches.
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DEFINITIONS – IJS Judging System
Element Base Score for 2016 Single Salchow (1S) 0.4 Single Lutz (1Lz) 0.6 Single Axel (1A) 1.1 Double Salchow (2S) 1.3 Double Lutz (2Lz) 2.1 Double Axel (2A) 3.3 Triple Salchow (3S) 4.4 Triple Lutz (3Lz) 6.0 Triple Axel (3A) 8.5 Quad Salchow (4S) 8.1 Quad Lutz (4Lz) 9.5 Quad Axel (4A) 10.5 Not all types of jumps are listed on the slide. Missing are flip, toe, loop. The Base scores are consistent no matter what skill level. The Base scores can change every year! Spins have similar concept but more complicated system. When an element is executed, judges also apply a ‘grade of execution’ (GOE). This can add to the base value or subtract from the base value.
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DEFINITIONS – IJS Judging
This is from October 2012 which is called “2013 Upper Great Lakes Regional Championships” due to Nationals in January 2013.
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COMPETITIONS
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COMPETITIONS – Levels/Judging
Juvenile thru Senior: IJS or 6.0 Pre-Pre thru Pre-Juvenile: 6.0 Basic Skills (See Other Presentation): 6.0 *Slide later illustrates these relationships
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COMPETITIONS – Types Qualifying Competitions
Well defined path of competitions, always IJS. Place top 4 and move to next competition culminating in Nationals. Non-Qualifying Competitions Like Basic Skills, top 4 placement doesn’t qualify for next competition.* Blend of events: spins, jumps, 6.0, IJS, Theater, etc. Basic Skills Competitions (See Other Presentation) Introduce young skaters to a competition setting. Should be kept fun. Start to get a sense of relative skills with others. *Small caveat, skaters competing in competitions within the Illinois Grand Prix Series can earn points from each competition attend. The points earned depend on placement. If earn enough ‘Grand Prix points’, skater earns a spot or invitation in the IL Grand Prix Final in September.
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COMPETITIONS – Basic Skills
Examples: Summer’s Last Hurrah Basic Skills, Bloomington, IL Cranberry Classic, Rockford, IL Springfield Basic Skills, Springfield, IL Skating Council of IL -> Basic Skills Series Note: See Basic Skills presentation!
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COMPETITIONS – Non-Qualifying
Non-Qualifying Competition Examples Greater Chicagoland Invitational, Chicago, IL Skate Detroit, Detroit, MI Upper Great Lakes Regional Championships, various locals If compete Juvenile-Senior in the “Well Balanced” or “IJS” events, then IJS judging Age restrictions: Juvenile < 14; Intermediate < 18. If compete in Juvenile-Senior in the “Open” or “Test Track”, then 6.0 judging No age restrictions, required elements different Skating Council Of IL -> Grand Prix Series - IL Grand Prix Series is a listing of non-qualifying competitions throughout the Chicago and Illinois area. If skaters compete at 4 or more in one year and place on the podium some, then they are invited to the non-qualifying IL Grand Prix Series Finale in September of every year.
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COMPETITIONS – Non-Qualifying
Non-Qualifying can also have events for: Ice Dance Pairs Synchro But it is rare
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COMPETITIONS – Qualifying
Qualifying Competition Examples, always IJS Upper Great Lakes Regional Championships Midwestern Sectional Championships U.S. National Championships Regionals have both qualifying and non-qualifying events. Skaters can only sign up for one type. Note: Same age restrictions. Upper Great Lakes website - Sectionals is where Pairs and Dance have their first round of competition. There is just not enough dance/pairs for them to compete at Regionals.
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COMPETITIONS – Qualifying Structure
- The green is Upper Great Lakes Regional Championships. - States in green, yellow, and dark blue feed the Midwestern Sectional Championships
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COMPETITIONS – Qualifying Structure
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COMPETITIONS – Time Requirement
Skill Level Short Program (SP) Free Skate (FS) (i.e. Long Program) Senior 2:50 mins 4:00 +/- 10 Sec – Ladies 4:30 +/- 10 Sec – Men Junior 3:30 +/- 10 Sec – Ladies 4:00 +/- 10 Sec – Men Novice 2:30 mins 3:00 +/- 10 Sec – Ladies 3:30 +/- 10 Sec - Men Intermediate 2:00 mins 2:30 +/- 10 Sec Juvenile N/A 2:15 +/- 10 Sec Pre-Juvenile 2:00 +/- 10 Sec Preliminary 1:30 +/- 10 Sec Pre-Preliminary 1:40 +/- 10 Sec No Test Basic Skills Various levels This illustrates the increasing difficulty at each skating level for competitions. Short Program Details: (link on later slide) Free Skate Details: (link on later slide) Note: If not denoted, time is same for men and ladies.
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COMPETITIONS – Qualifying
Skill Level Short Program (SP) Free Skate (FS) (i.e. Long Program) Senior 2:50 mins 4:00 +/- 10 Sec – Ladies 4:30 +/- 10 Sec – Men Junior 3:30 +/- 10 Sec – Ladies 4:00 +/- 10 Sec – Men Novice 2:30 mins 3:00 +/- 10 Sec – Ladies 3:30 +/- 10 Sec - Men Intermediate 2:00 mins 2:30 +/- 10 Sec Juvenile N/A 2:15 +/- 10 Sec Pre-Juvenile 2:00 +/- 10 Sec Preliminary 1:30 +/- 10 Sec Pre-Preliminary 1:40 +/- 10 Sec No Test Basic Skills Various Levels Qualifying Competition Using IJS Animation on this slide. The box highlights the skill levels competing at regionals, sectionals, nationals. Note: If not denoted, time is same for men and ladies.
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COMPETITIONS – Qualifying
Skill Level Short Program (SP) Free Skate (FS) (i.e. Long Program Senior 2:50 mins 4:00 +/- 10 Sec – Ladies 4:30 +/- 10 Sec – Men Junior 3:30 +/- 10 Sec – Ladies 4:00 +/- 10 Sec – Men Novice 2:30 mins 3:00 +/- 10 Sec – Ladies 3:30 +/- 10 Sec - Men Intermediate 2:00 mins 2:30 +/- 10 Sec Juvenile N/A 2:15 +/- 10 Sec Pre-Juvenile 2:00 +/- 10 Sec Preliminary 1:30 +/- 10 Sec Pre-Preliminary 1:40 +/- 10 Sec No Test Basic Skills Various Levels For each skill level in this box, must pass: MIF and FS, or MIF and Pairs, or MIF and Free Dance - Animation on this slide. - What’s it take to be competitive? Can look on IceNetwork.com and study the judge’s detail score sheet. But note, the testing requirements are a lot less stringent at a skill level than what it takes to be competitive at same skill level in Regionals/Sectionals/Nationals. (i.e. qualifying competitions). Note: If not denoted, time is same for men and ladies.
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COMPETITIONS – Non-Qualifying
Skill Level Short Program (SP) Free Skate (FS) (i.e. Long Program Senior 2:50 mins 4:00 +/- 10 Sec – Ladies 4:30 +/- 10 Sec – Men Junior 3:30 +/- 10 Sec – Ladies 4:00 +/- 10 Sec – Men Novice 2:30 mins 3:00 +/- 10 Sec – Ladies 3:30 +/- 10 Sec - Men Intermediate 2:00 mins 2:30 +/- 10 Sec Juvenile N/A 2:15 +/- 10 Sec Pre-Juvenile 2:00 +/- 10 Sec Preliminary 1:30 +/- 10 Sec Pre-Preliminary 1:40 +/- 10 Sec No Test Basic Skills Various Levels Non-Qualifying Competition “Well-Balanced” Using IJS Non-Qualifying Competition “Test Track” Using 6.0 “Well-Balanced” Using 6.0 - Lots of animation on this slide. - The last animation: There is the option to compete (sign up on registration form) “well-balanced” at the Pre-Preliminary to Pre-Juvenile skill level. It’s 6.0 judging system because not at Juvenile level. BUT, the ‘well-balanced’ rules on 6.0 are more difficult requirements than the ‘test track’ 6.0 at same skill level. - What’s it take to be competitive at non-qualifying competitions? Please talk to your coach!! Note: If not denoted, time is same for men and ladies.
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goals
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GOALS - Skater What does your skater want out of skating? Judge?
Coach? Rink Management? Compete? Social – Recreational? Sports Science? Other?
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GOALS - Parent What do you want for your child?
Stay active? Social skills? Learn to set goals and work toward them? Sacrifice? Work ethic? Is your investment (time, money, etc) worth it? Responsibilities As A Skating Parent (USFS)
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GOALS - Coach Coach completes the triangle!!
Support the Skater and Parent on the journey, whatever the skater’s goal may be Guide the Skater to reach their goals (It should never be the coach’s goals) There will be times they may know your child better than you do USFS annual Continuing Education Requirements (CER A, B, C, D) Rankings I, II, III, IV, V, etc PSA – Professional Skaters Association (Coaches Association) - The coach is critical in helping you to develop your child into a young adult.
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Resources
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Safe Sport Implemented due to US Olympic Committee Policy
All Olympic Sports must implement Policies and Procedures to promote a safe and nurturing environment Theresa Stewart is our CIFSC Safe Sport Officer and board member. See her for more details or to report inappropriate behavior.
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RESOURCES - Websites www.GrowingChampionsForLife.com
(for Parent Page) See link for ‘top ten’ Professional Skating Association Parent Info Upper Great Lakes website
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RESOURCES – Docs on Web Development Pipeline Test Structure
All About Tests Preparing Your Skater for Competition (USFS) Preparing Your Skater for Competition (PSA) Responsibilities As A Skating Parent (USFS) Guidelines for Supportive Parents Requirements for Coaches Guide to Coaching Credentials
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RESOURCES – Docs on Web Coaches Continuing Education Requirements by Events Coach Compliance Search (user interface not user friendly) Synchro Competitive Levels Figure Skating Wikipedia (history and ‘blade edge’ diagram) Short Program Details Free Skate Details Understanding 6.0 Scoring System Understanding IJS Scoring System
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RESOURCES - Books Figure Skating for Dummies by Kristi Yamaguchi and Scott Hamilton (1997) The Complete Book of Figure Skating by Carole Shulman (2001) There are fiction book series for young skaters by Jake Maddox and another by Kate Messner.
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RESOURCES - Other Mobile app “USFS Skate Coach” – for Basic Skills
Mobile app “Hudl Technique” (formerly Ubersense) – on iPAD for slow motion video Mobile app “Coach’s Eye” – both Apple and Android Search YouTube for elements. Example: “figure skating axel”
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Questions?
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