That's true, but the first version of the rulebook that came out last July did not have the new 3-turm pattern in it and still listed the alt 3's as being on Pre-Bronze MIF. They were also originally listed on the test sheet, at least when I checked it out of curiosity last September. The rulebook I have (got it in January) does have the new pattern and has a correction sheet in the front that clarifies the Pre-Bronze MIF test as well as some other rules that were originally incorrectly stated. I assume that b/c of the mix-up in its official publications, the USFSA decided to let either pattern be accepted for the rest of the year.

I do hope the new (06-07) rulebook corrects the mistakes from the list of MIF test elements at the beginning of that section - it still has the slide chasses on the Silver test and the Novice move on the Gold test. The moves are listed correctly on the actual pattern pages, but it's easy to get confused. At my first lesson on Silver MIF, my coach commented that it made no sense to have the slide chasses on this level's test - I then informed her they weren't, and since she'd gotten this info straight from the list in the rulebook, she was understandably a bit confused (but relieved that I wouldn't have to do the slide chasses for a while).

Hey Skate@Del, Ice World in Abingdon, MD (Harford County) has FS sessions on Sundays from 10:45 to 1:45 (and then a power class). That's probably quite a drive for you, but at least it's something if you can't find ice elsewhere. They also have a public session on Sun aftn, I believe.

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Terri C is a Bronze lady!
Gold Moves, here I come!

About 1/2-way through the year, we judges (and I believe test-chairpersons) got a notice saying that both were allowed until September 06 because of the confusion in the rulebook. The test sheets have the new pattern but if the person does the consecutive 3s we are to judge it.

We had one adult last month who after finishing the new 3s pattern went ahead and starting setting up for the consecutive 3s -- she thought she had to do both. I think she was both confused and relieved when the judge-in-charge informed her that she didn't have to do both.

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Is Portland the only city with it's own ice-dance website? http://www.pdxicedance.net/

Back of the Peloton:
Worked on Bronze moves today I need a lot of work on power 3s. Those are really my weak points. I hate 3 turns. I hated the 3 turn pattern in pre-bronze too. I know I don't rotate enough so they skid all over the place and I keep stepping on a diagonal turning into them. They are just evil little creatures!

Yellow Jersey:
Other elements in Bronze moves that are making progress are Power Perimeter stroking which is completely quiet. 5 step mohawk is still my favorite. Thanks to only 2 little secrets shared from Icedancer2 which I haven't forgotten. My Primary coach wants me to compete up in Bronze MIF for our first USFS competition in September. I am making it a goal. Then I can test in December.

Worked on Loop jump. RBOE is slightly inching deeper into a loop jump entrance. I did it from a mohawk instead of a RFI 3. It is feeling more natural. Working on back spins too. (I had a dream last night that I just kept spinning and spinning and spinning.) Can't wait til that comes true! Club session was incredible! only 3 of us on the ice today which was bizarre in a good way.Coach and I worked on Toe Walley. Looks like I am taking the long scenic route to flip and lutz.

That would be wonderful, but I already promised hubby we would work on our construction project....darn!!! We are putting a closet in our bedroom (sounds stupid but we have an old house and closets are sorely lacking) and we need to get it finished ASAP!!!

Thanks for the info, though, I really appreciate it!!!!

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

Phoenix,
Yes, I know the alternating 3-turns are not on the pre-bronze moves test --although I didn't know about any allowance for them to still be done. We were just working on them because I need more control on my 3's. I'm working on bronze, already passed pre-bronze free, thank goodness.

S@D,
We knew last week about this Sunday's freestyles. But when I got on the ice at 5:05 yesterday, my coach still didn't know that the session was ending at 6:05! Rocket science, I'm telling you, it's rocket science.

Pat

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August 22, back on the ice!

Hey, that is great! (Those who cannot do -- teach LOL!)

There's Bronze MITF at that September comp? Hey, maybe I will join you in that competition -- unless of course, the Power 3 is one of the Moves...

__________________
Is Portland the only city with it's own ice-dance website? http://www.pdxicedance.net/

Back of the peloton:
-Didn't get my usual practice session in midweek, so last night it felt like I hadn't been on the ice in ages! Took QUITE a while to feel comfortable again.
-I'm leaving tomorrow for two weeks of vacation, and despite a couple hours of searching, calling, etc, there is NOWHERE I can get some practice in (and there are a fair number of rinks around!) within a reasonable distance. Rinks are either (1) closed for the summer or (2) under construction/maintenance during the exact time I could be at their regular public session so no public session. . . I'm reeeeeeeally bummed. I have a very severe case of AOSS. We'll see how "relaxing" this vacation will be without any skating in it. . .

Yellow Jersey:
-Since I know consecutive inside/outside forward/backward edges are on the pre-bronze test, I figured why not try some of the backward edges last night (FI and FO are in decent shape). Outside, check. Inside. . . aaaggghhh! until the very nice (and rather flirtatious) rink guard skated up to me and helped--by holding my hands and giving me a bit of a push around the rink a couple of times. So hey, I got a great start on BI consecutive edges! Whee!!!
-Forward power XOs/progressives are coming along. Whee!!

Girl, just try to RELAX on vacation then!!! Isn't that what you are SUPPOSED to be doing??? (yeah, yeah, I know I'd be looking for ice too)...think of is as body-recovery time and do yoga/pilates or something.
I didn't get the BI edges until my current coach told me to "hula" them...throw that hip WAAAAY over! Now I get it (and sometimes I do the hula-arms just to freak her out and make her roll her eyes). So good for you, it's quite an accomplishment because back edges are freaky and scary (in my opinion).

Stupid question of the day: What's the difference between power XO's and regular XO's (besides the obvious, power)???

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

Most people consider power XOer the Bronze/PJ MIF with the inside edge/change side

Yellow Jersey--
Got some good work in on moves and lutz attempts in lesson Thursday and in practice today. Got to run through my program twice today. Had a nice stroking class on Thursday. One exercise was really fun--really long drawn out flowy FO edges, working on flow and extension through the entire body.

Back of the Peloton--
Still haven't landed the lutz. Feels **this** close. I think I'm finally getting the feeling of pulling back to the picking foot, though, which feels really good (and different--much springier and softer--than my previous attempts).

Back threes are all wonky after the turn--not much flow or torso/arm control after the turn, and the lobes are weird shapes.

__________________
Ask me about becoming a bone marrow donor.
http://www.marrow.org
http://www.nmdp.org

All Yellow Jerseys:
I had the ice to myself for an hour this morning (!) & worked on my European Waltz so it was really easy to see my tracings......found one huge mistake & worked on that (big surprise, not bending my knee into a stroke)....and worked on fixing other problems. So now I'm wishing I had *more* time to work on the dance to get it better & really get it under control. I must have a fever or something--No skater has *ever* wished they could work on the European more!

Also skated my tango OD 3 times w/ music, last time was the best, everything clean. If I could skate like that at Lake Placid, I'd be very happy. I'm trying to do at least 3 run-throughs every time I skate now...I want this program to feel like "coming home", so when I skate it I'll be relaxed & happy because it's soooooo familiar.

I also did what I should have done a month ago, and started working on just the first few steps of my straightline footwork (which I've had terrible issues with keeping up to tempo) by putting my music on & doing just those first steps, over & over & over again, at the correct speed. I do it every time I skate, at least 2-3 times around the rink. Today, after a week of this, I did it correctly every time, with no warmup required to just go out & *do* it without even having to think. Nothing like endless repetition to make you a great skater!! Sometimes I think that's what skating is all about--whoever is willing to do the most repetitions, wins.

Judges were sent an e-mail that said that either could be done through this current season. We were also sent a Pre-Bronze MIF test form with that printed on it.

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American Waltz... Once, Twice, ???? ...

Q: How many coaches does it take to fix Jen's Dance Intro-3 Problems
A: 5 and counting...

Interesting. Would have been nice if they'd informed the coaches/skaters of the same thing!

Oh please do join us! Misery loves the company of Power 3's! I am sure they will be one of the moves. You know that they would pick the hardest move to do. My coach wanted to do it as a way of testing the waters if I was ready to pass Bronze MIF or not. Plus it would give me a little exposure as to what it is like to compete in a USFS competition. I have only competed in ISI up until now.

Yellow Jersey:
In practice, I did about 5 back outside 3 turns today without putting my free foot down.-- on each foot, too! My coach will be so proud when she comes back from vacation!! That is the first time that has ever happened. Back inside 3s are going to be harder. I have been practicing toe wally's to get out of my loop and flip rut. It is a nice break away from my one-track mindedness. I get so focused on 1 element I want to master and If I can't accomplish it, I become frustrated with skating overall-- which really isn't fair to myself.

Back of the Peloton:
Had my first Pairs lesson today with Casey. I am so overwhelmed with information. Plus I am evaluating how much patience I can endure. As if I am struggling with having to wait on my own skating progression, I am now having to wait on his as well. I am leaving town on business for a week and then Coach is gone the week after so there will be 2 weeks in a row without another pairs lesson. Also the reality of traveling a long distance every week is starting to set in.

I think an MIF (or compulsory moves or spins) event is a great way to get experience in USFSA competitions. Keep in mind, though, that many skaters who do MIF comps have already passed that level's moves test. There are exceptions, of course, but in the Bronze MIF comps I have competed in, almost everyone (except me) had passed the test, or had passed Bronze FS before the moves were required. I've also noticed this in MIF comps at other levels.

For this reason, I would not use your placement as an indication of your readiness to take the test. If a skater has passed Bronze MIF a year ago and is nearly ready to test Silver, there's no way you can compare yourself to him/her. And remember, passing a test is based on a concrete standard (yes, everyone, I know judging is subjective) and competition is based on comparison to other skaters. In any comp, some will place high, and some won't, but a low placement doesn't mean a skater hasn't met a test standard; likewise, a high placement doesn't mean a skater has met it.

What you and your coach might want to do, after your event, is see if the judges (or even just one judge) might be willing to talk to you and give you some feedback on how they might judge your moves on a test, and what you can do to improve.

Good luck and have fun!

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Terri C is a Bronze lady!
Gold Moves, here I come!

Definitely Lanterne Rouge: I am quite sure that the nanobots which the Prince of Wales reckons are going to turn the world into grey sludge have been attacking my blades, and have made my left toe-pick grow at least an inch longer than my right! At least, that's what it felt like this morning.... I was doing lovely back cross-rolls on my right foot, and on my left foot they were scraping away as though the ice were a new potato! Horrible noise!

Worked a great deal with Husband in waltz hold to try and eliminate this, but not much success. Also worked on our Fiesta end pattern - again, difficult to improve. I know what's going wrong - I'm basically too off-balance after the Mohawk to get into position for the push on to the RBO edge quickly enough, and by the time I've got into position, it's time to step forwards again! But correcting it is another matter. It's better if I remember to turn my rib-cage into the circle and keep it there after the Mohawk, but still not good.

Yellow jersey: Back chasses round the circle were good, though, until Husband decided he was doing them wrong and corrected it, which meant he pushed right away from me! Ah well....

We did a Fiesta to music this morning which was okay, but only okay. Also two Dutch Waltzes, one of which went wrong (I forgot the steps, oops!) and one of which was okay, if out of time.

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

But Delaware, skating IS my escape and a method of relaxation. I can forget all my worries, work up a good sweat (and yet not feel overheated--quite an accomplishment in July in the Midwest) and feel like I've "worked" at something. . . but without taking away time from the paid work I'm actually supposed to be doing. . .

Here's how it was explained to me: Rather than picking up & crossing over with the right foot (assuming we're talking CCW forward XOs), the right foot sort of swooshes in, in front of the left foot; meanwhile, the left foot pushes back & to the right (heel pointing down, rather than toe-pointing so you don't catch your toepick), so you're getting power from pushing off the left foot (after the "crossover" part of the move) as well as getting power from pushing off the right blade. Does that make sense? (More advanced & clued-in skaters, please correct me if I have it wrong.) It took several times watching the coach do it, plus standing at the boards with RF forward and LF crossed behind RF, as though we'd already done the push with the LF.

BTW, NOT a stupid question. I'd heard the terms "power XOs" and "progressives" for years and wondered what they meant. . .

I know....I feel the same way! When we went on vacation 2 years ago, we were going to skate, but found out the rink was closed for competitions....so my vacation was a total vacation!

So it is like a progressive? I can do crossovers and progressives (thanks to dance) with the underpush but never heard about the "power crossovers" before.

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

I'm glad it's not just me that is getting slightly confused with terminology

Hi Debbie S,
Thank you for your insights. I agree with you that there is no way I could compare myself to someone who has been in Bronze for a while and is ready to move up. I will leave the judging to the judges and skate for fun on this one. I would not expect to place very well that is for sure. If there is someone ready to move to silver that I would be competing with, it would certainly show me what judges expect and I can evaluate my progress from my peers as well as what the judges say. My attendance is merely for evaluation and exposure, not to medal. It is our first USFS Competition for our rink and I wanted to do at least *something* to participate. There aren't any pre-bronze events so I would skate up a level. Some goals are so worthy, it is even glorious to fail. .. or come in last which doesn't bother me.

I also agree that it may not be a *for sure* thing about passing. If the move I really suck at isn't one that is in the competition, well...more work may need to be done. I hope 5 step mohawk is in there. I like that one. I would pretty much count on Power 3's being one of the elements to skate. I hate those little vermin!

I liked your idea about talking with one of the judges afterwards to get a little feedback on things too. I hope that would not be crossing any ethical barriers though. I will definitely ask my coach about it.
I will keep you posted on how it goes.

Definitely not. After you've competed, as long as the judges are available - coffee break, lunch break, or just a break from judging for a few events - it's fine to approach them and ask them if they have a minute to talk to you. If they say no, leave it at that, but usually judges are very willing to give feedback to skaters and coaches, so if they're not able to talk then, ask them what would be a good time. Since the comp is at your rink, maybe you could ask the hospitality chair to ask the judges if they could speak to you, but you don't need to go through someone. If you're nice to the judge(s) and you show genuine interest in what they have to say, and emphasize that you just want to know how you can improve (and not questioning your placement), they'll most likely be happy to talk.

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Terri C is a Bronze lady!
Gold Moves, here I come!

Also... sometimes a judge may be willing to chat with you, but may want a few minutes to review their notes before chatting with you.

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American Waltz... Once, Twice, ???? ...

Q: How many coaches does it take to fix Jen's Dance Intro-3 Problems
A: 5 and counting...

Good idea! If you can find a judge who was on your panel afterwards and they remember who you are.. remember, judging a bunch of events in a row, and getting short breaks, a lot of the skaters run together... although most judges do keep notes on each skater and each event. Or, you might think of this as your chance to feel the nerves/excitement performing those elements before judges.. and use THAT as your guide to whether you feel ready to test or not. Good luck!

Yellow Jersey:

• After warming up my crossovers a lot, first four moves are steady and strong!!! Yes, even the power 3's are pretty good.
• Had some fun with the prelim spirals. Not to say that they are great, but at least I had fun attempting it!
• Attempted a couple of flips! Not bad.
• Other jumps are steady, except for the loop
• Spins are steady.

Back of the Peoloton:

• Well, not that bad... just wish it had more UMPH!!! But if I keep focused on my extensions and my edges, I think my 5 steps should be okay.
• No loops! Am two footing the landing again!!!

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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!!!

power crossover = progressive, according to my coach. According to her (and she's been coaching since the 60s) the freestylers saw the dancers doing these--just a few progressives (as in, 3 steps, and she did describe it as a 3-step move, in fact)--and how they got going really fast, and adopted them. Years ago I guess everyone just did "regular" crossovers. I have yet to look at old vids to verify whether this is true, but perhaps someone more obsessive than I can do that!