I get really nervous when I test and this is my first competition so I can't wait to see what happens :/ Im already starting to stress and its two weeks away!! Any tips on calming down a few days before a competition and the day of?? Thanks!!

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SKATING: It's the feeling you get at the end of a hard practice when you pushed yourself to the limit. It's a part of YOU, something you LOVE and HATE. A bond that NO ONE ELSE understands, but that's okay, because every time you get out on the ice it isn't just you; it's all the friends and coaches, all the practices, the pain, the tears, the memories,the laughter, the "off" competitions. It may seem, skating is really a team sport, it's more than just a sport. IT'S A WAY OF LIFE."

Just practice, practice, and practice. The more good practices you do the better you'll feel as test day approaches. On the day of, get to the rink about an hour early to give you enough time to warm up and lace up your skate properly. Then take a deep breath, step onto the ice and "JUST DO IT".

Good luck.

Practice is best! You know your routine, and what you are supposed to do, you will just get out there and focus on your music and moves. I skate in shows and just listen to the music and the counts (if I'm skating with others) or count to myself. And BREATHE!!!

Try not to think about it beforehand, just be prepared. Pack your bag with a checklist so you remember everything. Bring spares. Chew gum. Don't eat too much. And BREATHE!!!

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Skate@Delaware
Ah, show skating!!! I do it for the glitter!

Everyone is right: practice a lot so that you will feel prepared, but keep your practices short and light the few days before your program so you don't get tired out.
The week before your competition, find out where there will be a freestyle session available at another rink a few hours before your competition. Call the day before the competition to make sure the schedule hasn't changed, and use that practice ice for 30-45 minutes (no more!) a few hours before your competition. During that practice, make note of what you are having problems with that day, and figure out what you will do to fix them so they don't happen in your competition.

Also, starting now, come up with technique cue words to say in your head for each of your program elements. Write them down and try to say them to yourself every time you skate your program from now until your competition. These will remind you what your body is supposed to be doing so that even if your knees feel like jello, you will remember correct technique and complete your jumps and spins anyway. Your only goal for your competition should be to say every one of your cue words in your head throughout your program and to follow each one of them. That's it. The only goal. Because if you can do that, you will probably skate a clean program!

Just before you take the ice for your warmup and your competition, breathe slowly and deeply, counting to 10 for every breath in and counting to 10 for every breath out. This will stop your brain from sending "nervous" signals to your body.

Then step out onto the ice, smile, and enjoy having the ice all to yourself and skating a great program!
Have fun!

As far as nerves go - EVERYONE gets nervous..don't worry. If you're prepared you'll be fine. A coach at my club recommended to all the skaters that as soon as you arrive at the arena (especially when it's not your usual rink) you should just stand at the boards and visualize your program, run through it a couple times in your mind. That always seems to helP!

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~*~Katie~*~ ...you, the ice, and the music...