hey
just wondering if anybody has a good luck thing they do before a competition (that has worked ) cause I'm going to need one next saturday!
thanx in advance
~cutie

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Skating is suppose to be fun , no PRESSURE at all

~*Courage*~*Confidence*~*Consistance*~

Not before a competition, but before tests...the only time I ever had to re-try any dance or skill was the ONE time that my mom forgot to wish me good luck before the test! After that, I always made sure to call her before my test (we live in different cities) so she could wish me good luck, and I never had to re-try again.

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~No thinking, breathing, or hesitation!~

It doesn't matter what it is. What matters is that you truly believe it will help. So come up with your own, something that makes you feel like you're getting help from the universe.

I think on my next try at the Bronze Moves test, I'm gonna pray for mercy from the judges... cuz I'm gonna need it!!!

Maybe praying for a good skate is appropriate for a competition???

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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!!!

Actually, let me offer an alternative to a "good luck" routine. . . "Luck" is something that just comes to you or doesn't; it isn't something that is in your control. I have learned that it is more effective to take control of a situation rather than relying on "luck," so here's what I do instead:

In the weeks before my competition, I identify my problem elements. I then figure out what techniques I need to remember in order to complete them cleanly. I come up with technique cue words that I say to myself as I practice those elements, and when I have found the cue words that get me to complete the element cleanly, I write them down.

In my practice on competition day, all I focus on is mentally saying and following my cue words. Then, before I take the ice for the actual competition, all I do is say my cue words for each problem element over and over in my mind. Not only does this remind me what I need to focus on once I get out there, but it keeps me from getting distracted by negative thoughts. And when I approach those difficult elements during the competition, I walk myself through them step by step instead of freaking out and messing them up. This really, really works!

I never lace the top loop of my figure skates.

The two times I did I one, dislocated my shoulder, two, stepped out on the ice with my guards on with the predictable results.

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Keeping School Figures Alive!!

Not for competitions for skating because I've never done that, but before music competitions, I used to have to wear my lucky necklace that my grandma got me, which I also wear on exams. She got it for me a long time ago, and I used to wear it all the time. Once I didn't, and I completely blanked out on what I was going to be playing.

Last year, I was getting frustrated with skating as I didn't have a loop, backspin, or a decent change foot spin, freestyle elements that kept me from passing ISI 3 and bronze free. And I was nervous about my upcoming MIF test.

I had just had a frustrating moves session when one of my skate kids came up to me with a McDonald's Dog toy, the series with the fish eye lens, where the dog's head is grossly out of proportion to the rest of his body. She found it at the rink, and wondered if I knew who it belonged to. Rink was empty, so I suggested she keep it since no one would claim a Happy Meal toy from lost and found. She cocked her head and said very seriously, "I think you should keep him."

That same day, I received in the mail AN 2004/Lake Placid souvenirs from my friend Denise. One of the presents was an Olympic Training Center zipper pull. I clipped the zipper pull around the dog's neck and dubbed him: "Lucky Pete (for St. Peters FSA), the Lake Placid Lab, who is going to Kansas City." He was then stuck in my skate bag.

In one lesson, I managed a great change foot, and my coach told me to go get my tape, I was ready to test. Ran to my bag, grabbed my tape, gave Pete a kiss on the nose. Passed FS3.

Kiss on the nose before Spring Show practice, landed a loop while screwing around. Also got the hang of backspin.

Kiss on the nose, passed Bronze MIF.

Kiss on the nose, won Adult Champs FS3.

Kiss on the nose, passed Bronze free.

Kiss on the nose, clean programs at AN.

Not really superstitious, but I can't stop kissing that stupid dog's nose NOW, can I?

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Champagne in 2005, 2008, 2009 - who's next out of the pre-bronze club...?

Wang chung!

Hmm, are you willing to provide the dog on loan? Methinks I'll need that (and a rabbit's foot, a 4-leaf clover, and a lucky horseshoe!) to pass my gold moves test.

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Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.

ok..sounds silly but I have a lucky pair of undies I wear under my skating dress.

Mel, I'm exactly where you were at now! I MUST HAVE THE DOGGIEEEEE!!! *pout*

I'd kiss anything on the nose for that kind of skating goodness!

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Casey Allen Shobe | http://casey.shobe.info
"What matters is not experience per se but 'effortful study'."
"At first, dreams seem impossible, then improbable, and eventually inevitable" ~ Christopher Reeve

Hey Nova.. NO rabbits' feet.. they weren't all that lucky for the rabbit, right? What makes you think dead animal parts will bring YOU luck

I do always put my left skate on first - before our recent test, I found I'd got my right skate out of my bag, so put it down to put my left one on first! Silly, isn't it....

Seriously, though - make sure you are thoroughly warmed-up and loose. Allow plenty of time to get to the rink, and ensure you are there at least 30 minutes before your class is due to start, and ideally an hour. Warm-up, then go and change into your dress, do your hair and make-up, and warm-up again. I like to listen to my music on headphones, and step through my programme off-ice this stage. Then warm-up again, and by now, it's probably time to put your boots on. If you are very nervous, focus on your breathing, taking it right down into you. The more deeply & slowly you can breathe, the less nervous you will feel. And maybe now's the time to talk about something else.....

When you are called for your warm-up, don't forget to take your guards off! And after you've warmed-up, if you aren't the first to skate, just keep moving gently until it's your turn. No need to watch the others if you don't want to - you may be better not watching!

Good luck - and let us know how you get on!

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

(Steve shrugs his shoulders and hopes to dear God that you are kidding ...)

__________________
Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
"Do what you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."
-Haha, I've *arrived*! I am listed as a reference on Wikipedia.

I can't send Pete to you, but here's his pic tso I can share the good luck vibe

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Champagne in 2005, 2008, 2009 - who's next out of the pre-bronze club...?

Wang chung!

ok you wanted to know what I got
well.............I got 8th place(last place)
better luck next time I guess
the reason why(I think) is because I two- footed my axel and lutz
~sad cutie

__________________
Skating is suppose to be fun , no PRESSURE at all

~*Courage*~*Confidence*~*Consistance*~

AWWWW!!! So cute!!! I wanna kiss his nose!!! LOL!!!

Sorry about the last place finish, cutie, but you didn't forget your program!!! Take pride in that!!! Get back in there and work on those lutzes and axels for the next competition. Make this a learning experience!

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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!!!

Ah yes, my favourite place, finishing last.... at least, it seems to be the judges' favourite place for me! Do you know, in all the years I've been competing, I've never come other than last at my own rink, and I don't expect to break that record this year, either!

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

RED BULL!!!!

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