Rachel, well done! My coach says that many of the elements of the new "Star" tests are a lot harder than you'll find for your Level 1, especially in Dance! I reckon you'll be walking the standard tests when you get that far. AND I envy you BI3s, which I still can't do at all.

I have not skated today, but when you think that I have already done 9.5 hours this week, I decided on a day off! Dance Club last night was quite fun, although they put on an "easy" tape I'd made, for those nights when there were few, if any skaters able to do more advanced dances, and it was the most boring tape ever! I said afterwards that even though I'd compiled that tape I, for one, would be thankful if we didn't use it every week!

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

We did the Blues today in my lesson. Worked on the whole pattern, starting first with the first half. Previously, we'd worked mostly on the choctaw, and then the flare into the choctaw. Today we added in the rest of the dance.

Actually did a whole pattern to the music with my coach. That was fun and the choctaw was much easier to the music, I thought.

There wasn't anything very special during my lesson/practice on the 26th, except that my coach had me work on backward spirals. Also, Coach told me that I seem to have more courage doing forward spirals than simple forward stroking. Apparently I'm odd.

One embarrassing thing finally happened though, just after the lesson. I had went off the ice then went back a few minutes later, and stepped onto the ice in my guards! That's the first time it's ever happened, and fortunately I don't think anyone noticed. Luckily I only stepped onto the ice, so I was able to grab onto the boards before sliding down. It wasn't a bad fall.

Thanks Annabel! That's really nice of you to say. (You'll get the BI3s, don't worry - maybe have a lesson dedicated to them! That's what it took for me to be able to do outside mohawks, lol. A 15-min private lesson working on nothing else. )

A question for you, too - after doing the gold on the Star tests, what exactly are the next tests? I mean, I know you go onto the national/standard track thing, but they've changed the names a few times haven't they? Is the next test just called "Level 1" or "Bronze something" or what?

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"It’s never too late to skate at any age." - Alexei Mishin.

Yes, you then go into the standard levels, taking Level 1 Elements (all of which you already have) and Level 1 Free, and also the Field Moves, which I think are still called Novice, Preliminary, inter-Bronze, etc. You move up the levels until Level 6, after which you either do Levels 7-10, if you just want to get into ordinary club skating, and perhaps the adult skating world, or you move into the elite stream of Novice, Primary, Junior and Senior. But few skaters really make it much past level 4 or 5! Ask your coach what is involved in Level 1 and 2 Elements and free, and you'll see you are probably well able already.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

*Blunt Flats* Fell 3 times in a row on the salchow Nothing painful, I would just jump and then land and keep going down until I was sitting on the ice..hmm lol My coach was like, you ok? After that I was like Ok, I have to land this thing! So I concentrated and did a clean sal no problem. Then I actually fell hard on a spin. I went to kick my leg forward to get into the spin and my bade just slipped from under me and I went staight down..ow! I think I bruised my hand but it was a pretty funny fall.

*Sharp Edges* Ok lots of silly falls today but overall it was a great day! My coach started me off with getting a good position on my landings and it wasn't a problem for me. She was impressed and had me work some on my spins. I learned a new entrance with the kick thing and then bringing your legs in and spinning...that worked pretty well. I could get 4-5 revs before loosing my balance, that's good for me! No one else came to the lesson so my coach took the time to talk to me about freestyle. She told me that I should consider joining the FS class, where she thought I would be more challenged. They have higher class coaches there who teach neat footwork etc. Plus it's longer, 40 min class and 15 min warm up. So I'll think about doing that. Anyways, then she suggested I do the ice show at the end of the year. She said that with the way I'm improving I'm already better then some of the people in freestyle so I can definetly do the group number with them. Plus she said that she thinks the red dresses that they will be using would look good on me So that sealed the deal for me hehe, and I'll be in my first ever show this June! Ok, then she started me off on the loop. I doesn't seem too bad, I think I'll get it in a week or two. I'll also have to work on my back 3 turns, which I tried for the first time today and I already learned the RBO one. Wow, lots of stuff happened today...can't wait for the show!!

Hi Icenut
Just to clarify the national tests, NISA now split the levels in to Bronze, Silver and Gold with 3 sets of 2 tests (Free and elements) in each.

Bronze level tests
Level 1 Free and Level 1 elements
Level 2 free and Level 2 elements
Level 3 Free and Level 3 elements

Silver level tests
Level 4 Free and Level 4 elements
level 5 Free and level 5 elements
Level 6 Free and level 6 elements

Gold level tests
Level 7 Free and level 7 elements
Level 8 Free and level 8 elements
Level 9 Free adn level 9 elements

There is also a level 10 and from level 6 you can take Competitive tests for National level competitions but these are age limited so you won't get to that!!

To confuse matters there are also Field Moves tests which have retained their old names. They roughly equate to the levels as below and you have to have the requisite level of field moves before you can enter open competitions at that level.

Level 1 - Novice Field moves
level 2 - Prelim Field moves
level 4 - Inter-bronze FM's
level 6 - Bronze FM's. At this point I am confused - my kids have these but not sure what level they equate to. I think it's 6

there is one more Inter-silver FM's which may be level 8

They have also decided dance moves adn Field moves are equivalent (though they are supposed to be changing to a single test structure of 'Skating Moves' soon.

At least you are starting on the new structure. I had the old 'Novice' Free test which is now obsolete. But I also have level 1 Dance moves and so am credited with level 1 Field moves which means I woudl have to enter compettions at level 1 (if I didn't have the moves I could have competed at 'Beginner' level). Because of this I decided to take level 1 elements (I passed - you'll have no trouble!)and am then credited wtih level 1 Free. Confused!!!!!

The certificate says 'Level 1 Elements Bronze' but most people just refer to them as level 1 elements etc.

The star tests include just about everything you need for level 1 and even some level 2 elements (backspin for instance).

Ask around if anyone has the NISA booklets with all the details of the tests. They are very useful though your coach will of course have all the details.

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'skating is not just a sport - it is an obsession'

You're right. I'm confused.

What moves do you do in each level? What is the equivalent name for each move in your level done in Canada and the US? What is the Canadian and US equivalent level?

Brigitte

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"It's not age that determines but the heart." "Skating is not just a sport for the young but it's a passion for the soul of the young at heart." Brigitte Laskowski

I am a nomadic adult skater who is a member of Windsor FSC (Skate Windsor) WOS SC again since Sept. 1st, 2008.

http://eastcastlemusic.tripod.com

Singerskates Sports Music Editing

Thanks for all the info batikat! That certainly makes it a bit clearer for me. Re: dance - how are those tests worked out? You mentioned "dance moves" but what other dance tests are there? I mean, do you test compulsories/original/free dance at certain levels? Aswell as dance moves?

Also - do you happen to know what elements/moves are on the level 1 tests (for free and dance?) Just so I know...

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"It’s never too late to skate at any age." - Alexei Mishin.

Hi there Icenut
Dance tests are arranged in 4 streams which can all be tested individually

They are
compulsory dance, I have level 2 - most people take level 1 and 2 together 1= Novice foxtrot and Rhythm Blues, 2= Dutch Waltz and Canasta Tango

variation/original dance (variations are done til level 3 or 4 adn then you can do original - very annoying as I much prefer doing original dance than the hybrid concept of variation where you take a dance, split it in half and insert a whole sequence of original steps before ending with the half of the dance you missed out - drives me nuts!!!! But I hope to test level 1 variation, which is a variation of the Rythym Blues, soon - just so I can have a tick in every box for Free and dance at level 1 or 2!!!)

Free Dance Your own steps to any rhythm/music with a beat - yeah. Can include spins and half jumps and step sequences so these are fun.

Dance moves These are now considered equal to field moves - combined moves should come in next year. I have level 1 which is Forward cross rolls and I think outside swings (may have been inside - can't remember)

Unlike in Free you do not need the dance moves at any level to compete at that level but this may change with the combined moves. Thoeretically you could have level 8 CD's and level 1 Free or vice versa but most people now tend to do all the parts at each level or they stick to compulsories.

As for level 1 Free
The elements are pretty basic - though still tough for me (who swore I would never have both feet off the ice at the same time when I started but am begginning to enjoy it).

Forward perimeter stroking in both directions with crossovers around the ends (and woe betide you if they catch you toe-pushing - very hot on this at the moment!)
A 3-jump (waltz) or salchow
A Toe-loop
An upright spin with correct entry and exit - at least 3 revs
Forward and backward spirals (on an edge - any edge) - min 10m each
Step sequence to cover at least 3/4 of the length of the rink (full -size rink)

They don't have to be totally brilliant but it's nice if you can do them with a bit of speed and flow.

The Free programme has the same elements (or higher) in a 1.30min programme to music.


Sorry singerskates - I have no idea how these equate to US or Canada tests and I can't tell you what the other levels involve as I dont' know except that I know I need to have a sitspin and loop jump for level 2 - oh and a back spin I think. I'm workign on my level 2 Free programme now but don't have all the elements in place. Think it also needs a combination jump.

In the competitive stream you can take the Novice Competitive test when you have level 6 Free and elements (all sorts of double jumps, flying spins etc) plus inter-silver field moves and this qualifies you to British Championships.

Dance has a solo championships which you can enter as a Novice (under level 4 CD's under 12 years and there are Primary , Junior , Senior Champs at higher levels also age limited.

For couples dance you have to have level 6 solo I think plus the competitive couples dance test. don't know much about this.

Then there is Novice Pairs test for the Novice Championships too ( my kids competed this least year!) This no longer has age limits!!! so find yourself a partner icenut!!!!

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'skating is not just a sport - it is an obsession'

Thanks so much for all the info batikat

I'm 5 foot 9! I think I may be a little on the tall side to be lifted to the ceiling and thrown around. Lol

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"It’s never too late to skate at any age." - Alexei Mishin.

I'm on level 3 (bronze).Or would be if I practised!
For that test you need,
figure 8 forwards & back crossovers (using 3/4 of rink)
loop
flip
jump with toe loop as combined jump
full length steps with 3 turns
parallel spin (3 revs)
backspin (3 revs)

Backspin is what stopped me before. And still.

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MEL
Absolute Skating