No Solo for Pre Silvers

[sonora]

There are several changes in dance testing and competition proposed for this year's Gov Con. One is that there be no solo requirement for the Pre Silver dances.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[CanAmSk8ter]

Yeah- why couldn't they have done this a year ago? I passed my Pre-Silver last summer.

Seriously, I don't know if I like this. Most skaters at this level who truly deserve to pass can easily power themselves through the dance, but I've seen some excellent skaters get out there for the solo and do large parts of the dance off time. IMO, skaters who can't count the music should not be passing these levels, regardless of how well the dance may be skated. I'm not talking about getting off time for a step or two and getting back on, I'm talking about skaters who are off by a full beat for several steps and may or may not get back on time.

[sonora]

Yes, how can you get off time during the 14 Step?

I think more skaters will really hit the wall during the Silvers if they aren't challenged by a solo requirement during the Pre Silvers.

[CanAmSk8ter]

Originally posted by sonora
Yes, how can you get off time during the 14 Step?

I think more skaters will really hit the wall during the Silvers if they aren't challenged by a solo requirement during the Pre Silvers.

Exactly. The Silver is a big step up as it is, let alone making it the first level with a solo requirement as well. In all seriousness, while I would have gotten through my Pre-Silver faster without having to solo, I'm glad I did have to. I can't imagine having to solo these dances without having done so earlier.

[vesperholly]

I asked my dance coach what he thought about this. He said, "Absolutely NOT - keep them, and they should do solos in Bronze, too!"

He thought the Starlight as a Pre-Gold would be ok.

Jocelyn

[jenlyon60]

Years ago, before the Pre-Bronze came along and Before they changed the age for Adult to 25, I had to solo ALL my Bronzes (then the Fiesta, Willow and 10Fox) and ALL my Pre-Silvers (14Step, Fox and 1 attempt at EW).

Even though I'm testing adult, I still work solo patterns of the dances, although not necessarily at full tempo or full power.

Working EW solo at the proper tempo is as good a training exercise for checking FO 3's, IMO, as Forward Power 3's MIF or 3's in the Field MIF.

[CanAmSk8ter]

Originally posted by vesperholly
I asked my dance coach what he thought about this. He said, "Absolutely NOT - keep them, and they should do solos in Bronze, too!"

He thought the Starlight as a Pre-Gold would be ok.

Jocelyn

My coach said the same thing. He thinks they should have left the solo in at Bronze.

[what?meworry?]

there are two sides to the european solo issue.

it has long been believed that the european waltz is much harder than its current status.

it is also considered that the european is a dance that is different for the solo than it is for partnering.

however, there is a fundamental requirement for the european solo. one must be able to skate and keep time. because of its difficulty, balance and consistency in the maneuvers as well as a fundamental sense of timing is required to pass it on the solo.

what do i think? i think that if you can't keep on balance and on time in the european, you clearly need more practice. (timing and balance are intertwined in this dance.)

so i guess i'd vote to make a solo test required for the european no matter what level the test partner is.

[jenlyon60]

Oh... I agree the EW solo and the EW w/ partner require different technique. Putting together 14 consistent clean dropped 3's is an art.

My biggest timing issue while working on it over the past 2 3/4 years wasn't the timing on the turns, it was holding the check that fractional bit before stroking onto the RBO (for the LFO3s) and the LBO after the RFO3s. And it took me 2 Retries before I really noticed it, because I was being very focused on timing of the LFO3s on the end pattern.

[vesperholly]

The way the Dance committee had it worded in the proposal was very weird - it was essentially classed as "housekeeping". Technically, the only reason you need to do a solo at Pre-Silver is if your coach has passed more than two tests above you (Pre-Gold or higher). The proposal simply eliminates that rule. Silvers mandate solos no matter what level your coach has passed, Pre-Silver depends on the coach.

I'm still voting no. :-)

Jocelyn

[sonora]

I know it is hard to get out there and solo your dance in fron to fjudges for the first time. I personally think the 14 Step is a great dance to get over that "solo" hump with.

There also are times when the solo actually helps the skater. Something indefinable is wrong with the paired dance, and a good solo with no problems allows the judge to resolve doubts and pass the test.

[vesperholly]

I saw a girl take her American Waltz with her coach and then did a solo. The judges actually requested that she skate it again partnered with the other male dance coach that was there! She did, and she passed. Very weird.

Jocelyn

[sonora]

Yes, asking for a reskate with another partner is allowed. The original partner has to suck it up and not let it bother him.

A classy partner, if he thinks there was a problem with the dance and another partner is available, will go to the judges and "suggest" that the problem may have been his fault, and offer the option of a reskate with the other partner.