Flying or falling (Practice Thread 26 November-2 December 2006) - Page 3

Mrs Redboots · #51 11-28-2006, 06:53 AM

Falling: Coach Effect kicked in today! Told the coach I thought our Willow Waltz was better now than it had been when we'd competed it two years ago - so he said we'd work on it, and, naturally, I was appalling!

After we'd stumbled and kicked our way through it for the first time, he made Husband do it solo so he could see where, if anywhere, his problems were, as opposed to mine which were all too painfully obvious! Needless to say he (Husband) did the most beautiful, showy-off, superb solo Willow he's ever done! Mind you, it was a walk-through, there wasn't any music, but all the same..... I hate him, sometimes!

But some of it is him, all the same, as his shoulders don't always go where I need them to, and if we are to keep our shoulders square, that gives me even worse problems than normal. I cannot do a RBO, RBI chassé, LBO edge with my left shoulder forwards!

Flying: At least all my problems are down to the same basic cause - my total inability to skate backwards on an edge without counterbalancing! Can't do it all that well forwards, either! Which makes it really hard to shift my weight to where it needs to be to get a decent push on to the other edge. It's a lot better with a partner than without!

Coach actually said my 3-turns had improved a lot! Wish that were true solo - they are better when I'm partnered, I'd agree, but I still can't do them at any sort of speed solo. But Coach doesn't often compliment me, so I'll take it!

BatikatII · #52 11-28-2006, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sceptique

Flying:

I passed my Level 1 Free today - what a relief! I can now forget about testing for a while and focus on a new programme for Bracknell.

Falling:

Just out of curiosity, decided to check out what I need to be preparing for next, and.....

Who put mohawks on a circle into new Level 2 Field Moves? What a cruel, ruthless, heartless being?

Congrats on the level 1 Sceptique. I think I am joining the 'why on earth am I bothering, perhaps I should just give up now' brigade since I seem to have completely lost my loop and flip recently (ever since returning from back injury) and all my confidence about landing on right foot has gone

As for the new level field moves - they are horrendous. I was hoping to get my interbronze ones done so I would be credited with level 4 of the new moves but I am struggling with the mohawk to back outside 3's in a circle so have a feeling I won't make it in time. That leaves me with having to do the level 3 and 4 in the new moves and when Nicki T told me what they were I was aghast! There is no way they are possible. Change of edge spirals - what a ridiculous idea (given that current level 4 equivalent has changes of edge but ordinary ones eg LFO/I followed by RFI/O and then vice versa on other side of rink). Now they want that in a spiral position and at level 3!!!!

I'm a bit confused though since I asked dance coach what the level 3 dance moves were - thinking that would at least get me out of ever having to do level 3 in the new moves but she said it included the alternating mohawk thingies - now I wonder if she was meaning the new ones rather than the old ones. I think I could do the old ones if they are just back cross rolls and crosscuts. Must ask tomorrow.

Kateskate - so sorry they failed you - sometimes they just have a picky day. It's annoying as I have seen people pass inter-silver with much worse skates than my daughter had when they failed her (and the coaches agreed) She was just unlucky with the judge that day.

phoenix · #53 11-28-2006, 09:10 AM

Yesterday was a great example of why I skate.....was in a terrible mood, worked all weekend to catch up on a project that the client sat on forever, then suddenly they needed it done NOW! I got a lot done, but was feeling very stressed & put upon. I did not feel like skating. But I had to go up to teach a lesson, so I just figured I'd stay & skate the other 1/2 hour of the session (I usually go in early & skate an hour before the lesson).

And as I was teaching (which always lifts my spirits anyway), & doing little choreography steps for my student, it started being fun, & maybe it sounds weird, but it really feels good to demonstrate something that I used to struggle with, and which I now do with ease.....to remember how far I've come. And my student, who I've only been working with for about a month is really starting to show signs of life! She was so shy when I met her, I thought we were all in for a very very long slow haul. But she has begun to thaw a bit, and is starting to get a little more confident, and I'm very proud of her.

And so then I really did feel like skating after her lesson. I didn't work really hard, mostly did various twizzle exercises (my LFI one has gone AWOL for no apparent reason).

And driving home, I felt so much better, like a huge weight had been lifted off me. Just lightened my heart an awful lot, that hour on the ice spent more playing around than doing anything serious.

Amandaskategirl · #54 11-28-2006, 09:36 AM

Falling: I didn’t get to take my inter-bronze field moves test on Monday. My papers were in too late – teachers fault but she was very sorry and did do her best to get me in. I am just fed up of practising these moves.

My spins are so dreadful! I have about three good spin days a YEAR but the rest of the time they are awful – all of them! Even the slight improvements which I have made over the last couple of months on spins are so minor. My teacher said that there is such a huge difference between the standard of my jumps and my spins.

Flying: I am getting my head around different combinations of single jumps and my teacher was generally pleased with all of them. Today I did a fast and high three jump –half loop – back inside three turn – three jump.

I love skating but it feels like the progress which I make with it is so slow.

Isk8NYC · #55 11-28-2006, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terri C

Today was a day I just wanted to cry.
Let's see, I'm paying $10.00 (via punchcard) to skate on chewed up ice run amock by rugrats, some of whom are in the hormonal stages of life.
And this is NOT a public session I'm describing, it's a freestyle.

You should comment on the premium price for crappy ice - not fair or equitable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terri C

By the time my Monday lesson rolls around, the ice is soo chewed that you literally have to push to get any power. Today was especially difficult.

Are you taking the test on this crummy ice? If not, consider it extra training - if you can get the job done on slow ice, you'll do better on good ice. I used to skate outdoors, which helped make me a strong skater. Testing and competing on indoor ice had me flying!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terri C

No matter how hard I tried, I could not get my moves patterns to where my coach wants them and I left the ice asking myself why I signed up to test, when I feel so unprepared.

Your coach probably wants you to pass with high scores, so s/he's being tough on you. Hey - I was told last week that I wasn't even ready to schedule a test yet. Depressing, but true. Hang in there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terri C

What's even sadder, is well, I've told a few people here, but if I cannot pass Bronze moves, I may give up skating.

Whoa! That's crazy talk - over one test? There are other avenues you can pursue if you don't pass that test, including taking some dance lessons to improve flow and control (a key MITF element), skating ISI where there are no moves-before-freestyle requirements, or changing rinks or coaches.

Don't get down on yourself - it's a great sport, great exercise, and you make great friends. The tests and comps are just icing. You'll find your groove soon, everyone progresses at their own pace.

sceptique · #56 11-28-2006, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amandaskategirl

Falling: I didn’t get to take my inter-bronze field moves test on Monday. My papers were in too late – teachers fault but she was very sorry and did do her best to get me in. I am just fed up of practising these moves.

Amanda, don't get too upset. It's wasn't the best test session the rink had seen - they had a martial arts event on Sunday, and the ice was a bit "rough-ish". Quite a few people failed even though they skated "just fine" according to coaches. So maybe it wasn't that bad not to take it on this particular day.

kateskate · #57 11-28-2006, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickiT

Oh no. So sorry you failed. They are so difficult though. I know there have been some serious re-skates and fails too at our rink lately on those and the inter silver moves. It looks like you are that close though. You should be able to get another go at them. Isn't it the case that as long as your test papers are in by the end of the year, you have till March to test on them again? I'm glad I've not been working on them to be honest. My friend has and is keen to give the test a go, but doesn't feel that confident, although personally I think she'll do OK. One can never tell though. Different judges look for different things and some are more lenient than others.

Nicki

Yeah I'm going to try again. As long as my papers are in by the end of Dec I have until the end of March to test again. I will be retrying as soon as I can. And in the meantime more practice practice practice.

sk8_4fun · #58 11-28-2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty Blades

SPLAT! Since the angry dressing-down about my forward stroking not being up to snuff and working my a@@ off to clean it up, and then yesterday’s dressing-down about upper body control, I found myself simply “gutted”. Ok, I am not very good, and everything I have (however pathetic) I have worked damned hard for and what I lack in talent, I try to make up for with determination and hard work. But today I just did not want to skate, I had no zip, no drive, it was all broken. After fifteen minutes of skating aimlessly around the ice I packed up an left before the tears.

I felt, for all the world, like chucking my skates in the waste bin. I wont, of course, but I felt like it.

Yep, I know what those kind of days feel like! Its best to just write it off when that happens. have break and start again with a fresh head.

hope it goes better for you when you next skate

sk8_4fun · #59 11-28-2006, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isk8NYC

Hear, hear!
Mrs Redboots: I have second-hand knowledge that you're quite capable as a skater.

Plus, you're a wonderful online friend!

and you have the best clackers any where around- according to iskate magazine LOL

Isk8NYC · #60 11-28-2006, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sk8_4fun

and you have the best clackers any where around- according to iskate magazine LOL

I really, really hope that was not meant for me, but for Annabel!

Shyly,

dbny · #61 11-28-2006, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kateskate

Falling
I failed my bronze field moves test.

Of the 6 exercises I only got a passing mark for one although she said it was very close. She said I would find the next level too hard if she passed me on this one.

That comment somehow seems out of line to me. IMO, one should be judged on the quality of one's skating the required elements, not on speculation about whether or not one is ready for the next level. I think you've taken it extremely well. Better luck next time!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8 4Fun

and you have the best clackers any where around- according to iskate magazine LOL

Whoa, that sounds a bit suggestive, a la 'Allo 'Allo

Falling:
FI threes, just did not have the courage to really work them today. One foot spins - I simply cannot keep my weight over my left foot. I'm not sure if it's the fear factor or something else. All suggestions welcome.

Flying:
It was another glorious morning outdoors, and to top it off, they played wonderful music that seemed to set me free. I started fooling around with F cross strokes, holding my arms and shoulders pushed back, then hands on hips, even alternately passing my arms down, across, and up over my head. Joannie Rochette skated out to her starting position at Skate Canada (I think it was that one) with the most beautiful, smooth F cross strokes, and I kept that image in my head. Evidently I was doing it all very nicely, because I got some great compliments from other skaters. FO threes are still coming along, with the RFO still better than the LFO. I've almost got a real check on the RFO.

doubletoe · #62 11-28-2006, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kateskate

Falling
Fair enough yes I could have cleaner more controlled turns but I don't think they were so bad to be a fail.

I'm more annoyed that I have to still practise these.

I HEAR YOU ON THAT ONE!! Exactly how I felt about not passing my Intermediate test earlier this month!

Let's hope we both only have to take our tests one more time to pass!

sk8_4fun · #63 11-28-2006, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isk8NYC

I really, really hope that was not meant for me, but for Annabel!

Shyly,

yes it was, sorry! It always comes out wrong

Isk8NYC · #64 11-28-2006, 12:14 PM

No problem; it took me five minutes (and two edits) to write the reply in proper english! LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by sk8_4fun

yes it was, sorry! It always comes out wrong

Mrs Redboots · #65 11-28-2006, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sk8_4fun

and you have the best clackers any where around- according to iskate magazine LOL

Given me by an American judge, of all people!!! I also have a cowbell....

jazzpants · #66 11-28-2006, 02:42 PM

Flying:
Well... nothing!!!

Falling:

Evil exercise #1: Stroke around the rink as fast as I can, LFI mohawk and set up for a waltz jump. AND, she wants to make sure that my new waltz jump kicked thru is ingrained in my brain. The other thing... if I'm blocked by another skater, I have to go another lap and set up again!!! Well, I didn't set up right the first time. Then I didn't kicked thru. The third time I was able to kick thru a little.
Evil exercise #2: Stroke around the rink as fast as I can, and then set up for a spiral (any spiral.) Yup! Same rules! If I'm blocked by another skater, I have to go another lap and set up again!!! Well, at least I tried for the spiral. Problem is... the spiral wasn't high enough and I didn't open the free hip enough. So I'm straddle in the penalty box and am going thru hold a spiral position for 10 seconds. Foot turned out and straight! Needless to say, I don't feel my legs when I got back on the ice after that exercise!!! And she still wants me to try and set up again for that exercise!!!
Scratch spin: My best spin right??? Well, there's stuff to work on for that spin as well too!!! She's now fixing my hips so I'm more squared and she wants the legs lifted higher!!! I tried doing that and I can't seem to lift the free leg higher w/o lean back. (And I don't want to lean back b/c I'm supposed to be more on the ball of my foot...)

And if that's not bad enough....

(Darth Vader Star War theme)

Yup! I'm going to the Dark Side of the Force! Secondary coach is STRONGLY SUGGESTING that I take ice dance lessons with this up and coming young man at another rink. He is also WeirFan06's new ice dance coach too! And yes, she mentioned about just learning the basics and to get used to moving fast and effortlessly. She wants me learning REAL progressives too. However, she said I do not need to learn dance patterns.

Those of you who are in the Peanut Gallery knows that I've been thinking of taking ice dancing for a while and had a particular coach in mind. Problem is... the person I had in mind is a woman who is a highly qualified ice dancer. (She and her hubby competed in the Olympics relatively recently.) Secondary coach wanted someone for me to partner with. So I suggested the ice dancer's husband. (My choice for a coach and I have discussed this and she said I can take lessons with her husband too if that's what I want.) Secondary coach shot down both of my options for an ice dance coach, mainly b/c she doesn't know their teaching style. She said she knows this young man's teaching style from watching his lessons with WeirFan06 and other students and wants someone who's a strapping big, strong, young man to drag me along in a Killian hold so I would go faster. Secondary coach even said that I can wear my protective pads when I'm taking lesson with him. Of course, another coach piped up and snickered "Yeah, his students usually do!"

"

To add to this mess even more... I have approached primary coach about taking ice dancing and he strongly discouraged me to take ice dancing b/c I have already enough on my plate. (Sounds like my DH...

) Also, he feels ice dancing are a totally different animal from what I would learn in FS. I have spoken to secondary coach about this and I told her to please talk with my primary coach about this, since he definitely had strong opinions about my NOT taking ice dancing.

Soooo... I have a feeling I will be meeting my assassin... ummm... new ice dance coach soon!

Isk8NYC · #67 11-28-2006, 02:53 PM

Speaking of evil:

Tell the secondary coach you'll be taking lessons from the new dance coach INSTEAD of him/her and see what shakes out. Once you've gotten rid of the secondary coach, you can take dance from anyone you like, right?

jazzpants · #68 11-28-2006, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isk8NYC

Speaking of evil:

Tell the secondary coach you'll be taking lessons from the new dance coach INSTEAD of him/her and see what shakes out. Once you've gotten rid of the secondary coach, you can take dance from anyone you like, right?

LOL!!!! There's a thought!!! But nah, I like my secondary coach!

Besides, she's really good at working freestyle stuff, which will be her focus!!!

The other incentive... she did say that he's a hottie!!!

I asked even better than my wonderful NYC coach? She said he's definitely a "reasonable substitute" for my NYC coach. (Yeah, right! I've seen the guy's picture.

)

phoenix · #69 11-28-2006, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzpants

Also, he feels ice dancing are a totally different animal from what I would learn in FS.

I would strongly disagree with this, from personal experience. You know I really only dance, but I did do FS for a few years having quit dance for awhile. Then I went back to dance. After I went back, I didn't jump AT ALL for 2 years. Then one day I decided to see if I could still do them all.....and after 2 years of only dancing, not jumping, not even thinking about jumping, my jumps were much, much better than when I'd been practicing them every time I skated. I was much stronger, & I understood the edges/body positions better. I will admit that dancing likely won't do much for your spins, other than giving you killer entrance edges.

The other thing to remind your coach is, while dance isn't as related to FS as he might like, it IS related to moves, which as we all know are crucial!

Besides, we also all know there's more to skating than jumps....what is it....what should we call it.....Oh yeah!! Edges, turns, speed, footwork, presentation......hmmmm, that sounds a lot like ice dancing!!

Sonic · #70 11-28-2006, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoenix

I would strongly disagree with this, from personal experience. You know I really only dance, but I did do FS for a few years having quit dance for awhile. Then I went back to dance. After I went back, I didn't jump AT ALL for 2 years. Then one day I decided to see if I could still do them all.....and after 2 years of only dancing, not jumping, not even thinking about jumping, my jumps were much, much better than when I'd been practicing them every time I skated.

The other thing to remind your coach is, while dance isn't as related to FS as he might like, it IS related to moves, which as we all know are crucial!

Besides, we also all know there's more to skating than jumps....what is it....what should we call it.....Oh yeah!! Edges, turns, speed, footwork, presentation......hmmmm, that sounds a lot like ice dancing!!

I've recently taken the decision to abandon jumps in freeskate for a while to work on MIF instead, so it's really nice to read about such a good experience.

S xxx

doubletoe · #71 11-28-2006, 06:29 PM

I think it's true that strong edges will help your jumps more than just jumping a lot, so I wouldn't worry about your jumps suffering if you take some time to do ice dance. But of course working on Silver MIF will help your edges, too, so you don't *have* to do ice dance if you'd rather do something closer to freestyle skating.
But instead of getting confused over what each coach wants you to do, why don't you just do what YOU want to do. Take ice dance if you think it would be fun and beneficial, and take lessons from whomever YOU want. I mean, if we can't do that, then what's the advantage of being an adult, right?

sk8pics · #72 11-28-2006, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thin-Ice

Hey Terri--
Remember there are people -- even on this board -- who are off the ice with injuries just dying to get back on... and you can still skate. They would happily trade places with you.

Amen, amen. I know we all get frustrated at times, but right now, I would trade places with anyone on this board who's not injured, no matter how badly or how well they feel they are skating! It's perfectly natural to have feelings of frustration from time to time, but maybe, after you (all) allow yourself to feel frustrated, you could think back to a time when you were injured, and you couldn't skate as well, or couldn't do as much, and think about how you aren't injured now, and that's a big part of it! Okay, so I sort of garbled this up, but I hope you can understand my point.

Big hug to everyone!

Skittl1321 · #73 11-28-2006, 07:24 PM

Flying My left to right mohawk is getting pretty good for a basic mohawk. I have good extension in the backwards glide in it.

My waltz jump was actually looking more like a jump than it ever has before. And doing waltz jump- toe tap- waltz jump (repeat) was tons of fun.

Falling
Did Mazurka for the first time ever- yeah, that was no good.
One footed spin was just not happening at all tonight.
Right to left mohawk combination (from basic 8) just did not work because my turn out is just not there for using the hockey circles. (If I do it on a tiny circle I can do the combination)

Urgh frustration...

jazzpants · #74 11-28-2006, 08:21 PM

*sigh* All this about my potentially taking ice dancing in addition to what I have now could be moot depending on my discussion with DH about OUR budgets for next year (and our gripe about how we're so NOT making enough money...)

Meaning: I might not be able to afford my lessons with the ice dance coach anyway...

Sk8pdx · #75 11-29-2006, 01:02 AM

Flying:
At my lesson today coach revised my holiday program. I am much happier with added footwork and I am ending on time with the music. I also wore the dress I will be performing in to add a little incentive and positive motivation.

Falling:
Bronze MIF. alt. back crossovers to back outside edges. I must get these under control! Test date is January 15!

Really a positive skating day overall.

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