*Disclaimer* This is going to be a long post so prepare yourself. But I am going to try and make it as informative as possible.

Saturday, I took my first moves and freestyle test and I am pleased to report that I passed them both!!! It's been a long time since I've been that stressed out and nervous. I can sing and perform in front of thousands of people but when it comes to skating, I couldn't even feel the lower half of my body. I have no idea how I pulled that together. I am glad that it is over. Here is how everything went down:

I woke up at 7:30 in the morning unable to go back to sleep. I decided to just get up put on some music and try to eat breakfast. I could feel the tension in my arms and legs accompanied by butterflies in my stomach. I decided that trying to digest food in this condition, was probably not a good idea. So I just had reduced sodium chicken broth for breakfast and water to drink. Breakfast of Champions right?? LOL I decide to call my girlfriend, then listen to music and take a hot bath to relax myself for the task ahead.

I was scheduled to test at 1:13PM and I had to be there an hour early in case of contingent test failures and cancellations. I show up in all black with a pair of shades so that I could at least look like I'm cool and collected. It didn't work. When I showed up to meet my coach, I took off my shades and my coach noticed that my hands were shaking. Never in my life have I ever seen that rink so quiet. The nervousness was so thick that you could practically see it in the air. Everybody was nervous especially the coaches. At least I know that I am not alone. My coach had a few other students testing before me, so this gives me time alone to gather my thoughts.

It's time for the warm-up. Me and 4 other people step out on the ice to warm up. I start skating alternating forward crossovers as fast as I can to warm up my body. I can't feel my knees or my ankles but they are shaking like crazy because I am stumbling on something I consider routine. I am trying to calm down but it is way too quiet in there. Finally I hear my coach say, "get down in your ankles and push!!!" At first it startled me, but it was exactly what I needed to get through.

After the warm-up I am up first. Here's what the judges said about each element I performed. I'll start with postive comments followed by the negative ones.

Perimeter Stroking: Good Flow and nice knees; maintains flow and speed; solid lines good extensions. Good upper body control and presentation. Did more crossovers going clockwise so they looked weaker than counterclockwise.

My legs were shaking so much in the beginning that I could hear my edge wobble. I quickly got a grip on myself and corrected the problem. I did struggle on my clockwise crossovers out of sheer nervousness. I let my body lean into the circle I was creating. Stupid mistake.

Basic Consecutive Edges: Good control and clean, nice presentation throughout. Good starting pushes on the back outside and inside edges. Significant tendency to 2-foot transitions. Transitions were wide at times.

I thought I did quite well on this exercise. All my edges were clean and I didn't lose control at all. I was holding my breath the whole time though. I totally forgot to breathe. I almost passed out at the end of it. I don't know what they meant by "2-footing my transitions" because I thought you had to put your foot down to push on the other edge. I'm not river dancing. Maybe I kept my free foot down for too long.

Forward/Backward Crossovers: Good speed and continuous flow; Good power nicely placed back outside edges on the crossovers. Nice transitions when changing circles. Posture too far forward on back crossovers; some forced edges.

I started off pretty good but I started to build speed very quickly on both the forward and the back crossovers. Pretty soon it felt like I was going too fast for the circles I was creating and I had no more room to make them bigger. I felt like I was too close to the wall and I scratched my toepicks a little and it made me slow down enough to dodge the wall. They were right about me leaning too far forward. I was way more forward than normal and leaning too far inside on my circles.

Waltz Eight: Good control of 3-turn and back outside edge; Pattern could be bigger. Circles are small.

I thought I did well on this one too but this is the one test where all of the judges said the same thing. They said that my pattern was too small. I agree because I did not get a good push coming off the line and instead of having one smaller circle followed by 3 huge ones, I decided to make them all even with the first one.

Forward 3-turn pattern: Lots of speed and Power, control of turns with a clear checking off the upper body. Could use more control; whipped 3-turns and scratches.

I did not do well on this pattern. One of the judges wanted to fail me because of it. This was the pattern where the judges were contradicting each other too. 2 of them said I had good control while the other one said that I had poor control because of whipped 3 turns. I skated this one really fast and my speed increased with each crossover. Maybe if I had slowed down a little bit, my 3's wouldn't have looked so whipped around but hey, it is what it is. Let's move on to the freestyle test.

I was very nervous on this test too but I did far better. I only received one negative comment. Here we go:

Jumps: I chose to do a loop and a flip. All three judges loved the speed and height of the jumps. I slightly scratched my free foot on the ice during my loop because I was too far inside the circle when I took off. I couldn't believe I did that. I got focused and went up for my flip and did it well.

Spins: Nice, fast, and Centered 13 revs good control

They liked my scratch spin too. It felt very centered and controlled. I didn't know they were going to count how many revs I did though. I wasn't expecting that.

Forward/Backward Crossovers: good start; nice extension of free foot; well done with flow and control; cadence was unequal.

I learned my lesson from the Moves test and showed them that I can do crossovers well in both directions directions and going forwards and backwards. It was easier because I was not inhibited by staying on a hockey circle. I could open it up with more speed and a bigger circle.

Spiral: Hip Height with nice turnout; very nice; good position

They liked the fact that a guy chose to do a spiral instead of a lunge. I did an outside spiral from one corner of the rink to the other. By then, I was in control of my shaking so the edge didn't wobble and I was able to hold a steady position.

After I found out I passed, I went out to celebrate!!! Yay!!!!!! It's over!!!! Now I'm testing bronze level next month!

BlackManSkating

__________________
Proud to be one of the few black men out on the ice

Goals
Pass my Silver Moves Test
Finish Choreography for Silver Program
Land a Clean Double Toe and Double Lutz
Work on Double Axel and Rockers
Speed up back Camel

Congratulations!!!

Thanks Synchro Skater!!!! I really appreciate it!!!


BlackManSkating

__________________
Proud to be one of the few black men out on the ice

Goals
Pass my Silver Moves Test
Finish Choreography for Silver Program
Land a Clean Double Toe and Double Lutz
Work on Double Axel and Rockers
Speed up back Camel

Congratulations!

I had a similiar moves test- I was shaking like crazy it was amazing I could skate. I got the "two foot transitions" comment on my back insides- a few skaters looked at the tape, and they said the transition was just too slow making it "two footed" I was trying to get a deep push, but apparently I needed to do it quicker!

__________________
-Jessi
What I need is a montage...
Visit my skating journal or my Youtube videos (updated with 2 new videos Sept 26, 2009)

Congrats!

It sounds like you learned some important lessons for you to do your best on the next tests! All of your hard work is paying off!!

__________________
"Without a struggle, there can be no progress" ~ Frederick Douglass

This is a hoot!!!

I'm really glad you shared your detailed comments. I was a week from taking my pre-bronze moves when I broke my ankle in April, so I still have done no formal tests, but for the one competition I did back in March I was *totally* jittery, just like I was back in school doing various competitions and performances (and even though all the moves I had to do were quite easy for me).

I was puzzled by the "two-foot transition" comment on the edges, too. You kind of have to have both feet down temporarily to push, right?

This spring my coach was pushing me to do the pre-bronze freestyle test, but I was so shaky on the one-foot spin--though perfectly confident on everything else--I told her nope. No way can *I* get 13 revs, on either 1 or 2feet (I think the test specifies at least 3 revs for each)!

For the waltz eight, my coach always had me do them inside the hockey circles (or the center hockey circle), filling the entire diameter of the circle with the 2 circles--is that how you did them?

Sounds like bronze moves will be a piece of cake for you! Congrats!

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was wondering how it went!!!! You transferred over from ISI like I did, right? OMG as nervous as I was with ISI tests I'm triply nervous with USFSA ones. Sounds like you really did great! I can't wait to hear your scores for bronze because I bet they'll be high.

__________________
Revised Official 2010 Goals checklist
Skate __
New boots __
(lowering the bar for 2010 as I haven't skated in a year)

Congratulations! It takes a lot of hard work and skill to skate even at a pre-bronze level. I hope to get there someday. good luck on the next tests!

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My Blog - FINALLY updated!
Living out my childhood dream

Congratulations on passing your first USFSA tests!!!!

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"You don't have to put an age limit on your dreams." - Dara Torres, 41, after her 2nd medal at the 2008 Olympics

I know what you mean. ISI didn't seem as formal as USFSA is. The fact that I did 2 tests in one day only compounded my nervousness. I'm just glad I got through it. I gotta get ready for Bronze. I am determined to get my moves on the same level as my jumps.


BlackManSkating

__________________
Proud to be one of the few black men out on the ice

Goals
Pass my Silver Moves Test
Finish Choreography for Silver Program
Land a Clean Double Toe and Double Lutz
Work on Double Axel and Rockers
Speed up back Camel

I looked at the video you posted on youtube before I tested to see what it was really like. I wanted to thank you because your video helped me know what to expect and now I feel more prepared for my next one.


BlackManSkating

__________________
Proud to be one of the few black men out on the ice

Goals
Pass my Silver Moves Test
Finish Choreography for Silver Program
Land a Clean Double Toe and Double Lutz
Work on Double Axel and Rockers
Speed up back Camel

Thanks doubletoe!!!!! Thanks everybody!!!!! I'm going to continue to do my best.


BlackManSkating

__________________
Proud to be one of the few black men out on the ice

Goals
Pass my Silver Moves Test
Finish Choreography for Silver Program
Land a Clean Double Toe and Double Lutz
Work on Double Axel and Rockers
Speed up back Camel

What a wonderfully informative (and entertaining!) post. Congratulations on a job very well done - you've obviously done a lot of hard work, and it's paid off! I hope I'll do as well if I ever manage to take any of the tests! Treat yourself to something special as a reward - you've earned it!

Mimi

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! I loved the detail also in your post. I wore sunglasses once into a competition to look cool too. Noone seemed to care or think I looked cool. I also get very nervous testing. Once I almost threw up. Aren't you glad I shared that?

Anyway, congrats again!!!!

CONGRATS to you on surviving one of the first of many skating tests that you'll be doing!!! ENJOY the relief that you have now for getting thru these tests... you know that there's MORE coming soon!!! LOL!!! (Just raggin' on 'ya!!! But seriously, I think you'll do fine on those tests too!!! I have confidence in you on that. Also, given the comment on the spirals, I think you should have no problem on that element when you do take the Silver Moves tests too!)

GO BLACKMANSKATING!!! GO!!!

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

Congratulations!! The first tests are the scariest. I'm sure you'll do fine with Bronze

I had the same problem several years ago when I tested Preliminary MIF. The rulebook actually states that you may lay the move out on the long axis and skate larger circles. I tried to convince my former coach to let me do that, but she insisted that I had to keep it on the hockey circles "because everyone does it that way." Well, guess what -- the judges asked me to reskate the element specifying that I turn it on the long axis. I passed with flying colors!! The coach was speechless.

CONGRATS to you for a good, strong test!!

I didn't. I did mine on the long axis & skated the circles almost wall to wall. The judge didn't mind. If I have an adult skater who is a strong/powerful skater, I always have them lay it out that way. The width for the hockey circles is just way too small for a stong, adult-sized skater.

CONGRATS to you, blackmanskating!! Next time, do a very extensive off-ice warmup (enough to get you sweating) just before getting dressed & into your skates--helps greatly w/ nerves, & helps get your legs going much better than those measly 4 minutes of on-ice warmup.

That's all you can do! I'm so happy for you. Passing is a great feeling. Congrats!!

__________________
"Where are we going and why are we in this handbasket?"

Congratulations, and thanks for the report!

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Hey, thank you for the narrative and congratulations on A) testing and B) passing.

I hope others post their own testing experiences, particularly at the pre-bronze and bronze levels. I promise to do so whether I pass or not!

Gee, Thanks Jazzpants !!!! LOL Hahaha!!! Seriously, thanks for the vote of confidence on my future tests. I am finding that this experience was stressful but it was worth it. I better get used to it if I plan on competing at Nats this year. Let's see how my finances look in a few months.


BlackManSkating

__________________
Proud to be one of the few black men out on the ice

Goals
Pass my Silver Moves Test
Finish Choreography for Silver Program
Land a Clean Double Toe and Double Lutz
Work on Double Axel and Rockers
Speed up back Camel

Very nice description of your fantastic day
Good job - first step to Nationals all done now

__________________
Tim David's Website

Before I forget - CONGRATULATIONS ON PASSING BOTH TESTS!!!!!!!!!!


[QUOTE=phoenix;335333]I didn't. I did mine on the long axis & skated the circles almost wall to wall. The judge didn't mind. If I have an adult skater who is a strong/powerful skater, I always have them lay it out that way. The width for the hockey circles is just way too small for a stong, adult-sized skater.....QUOTE]

Speaking as a 17year old, strong, teen skater (so yes I am adult sized....) here. I tested Preliminary MIF back in March with a friend/another student of my coach (13yo, very strong skater). While preparing for the test our coach had us practice the crossovers on the hockey circles and on the long axis. We tested them on the hockey circles because the rinks around here always single panel Pre-Pre and Prelim MIF tests so we were on the ice at the same time - if one of us had been in the center on the long axis we would have collided during the pattern. Another friend tested PM last year and she was on the ice with another skater also testing PM. The other skater, a young girl, insisted on skating her pattern on the long axis - my friend came close to hitting her during the test. It is easier to do more crossovers on the long axis but my coach just makes sure we all do four (the min) and when I tested the judges called my friend and me over after the test to tell us it was a pleasure to judge our test.

Someone said something about placement of the waltz eight above? I am a fairly strong MIF skater (at least so far, about to test Pre-Juv, working on Juv), when I tested PPM, I skated my waltz 8 starting in one of the two spots on the ice with no markings - think inbetween the hockey circles at one end, then move towardsthe center circle. Right in the middle of all those is a nice big empty white spot. My coach likes to have all her skaters test this way, but not all are capable - some of the younger ones start on a "dot" or a line. In size - I am 5'6", say I start on the very center dot. My circles extend about 6" past the center circle on each side.

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Working on:
NOVICE! MIF
Juvenile FS
Bronze Dances

Congratulations! We don't have moves test here but I hope to be able to do something like that in the future... and thats my weak point too!

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~
Tidesong