Thread: educate me

yes really cool. Its a relief I don't have to worry about tests now. I now feel like I have some time to learn!

Quote: Originally Posted by icedancer2 Those were most likely basic skills tests or tests in the Learn to Skate program - it is very confusing actually. "The" tests come after that, when the skater is taking private lessons - this is what everyone is talking about when they say "test track" vs. "competitive track"-- You can tell her that all of the skaters she sees on TV started in the...

Quote: Originally Posted by momof3chicks Actually, they have it at most competitions around here (test track), at least the open ones. And yes they wear dresses etc just like any other. But they dont offer it at all comps.Maybe where you live.I know none in our state and I dont think many even in the Northwest region. I dont know where the op lives but she really doesnt need to worry right now about test track vs well balanced programs yet.:}

You're describing two different events at a Basic Skills competition. Skaters can enter an "Elements" event, where they demonstrate a list of elements for their level. Sometimes this is done by the judge calling each element (go out and show me a whatever), but can also be a short program with no music (which is how I've more commonly seen it done). It's equivalent to the compulsory events at higher levels....

"Sandbagging" occurs at a great extent in the lower levels - preliminary free requires a flip as the most difficult jump on the test, but competitors may be doing axels and lutzes, and even axel/combos in their competitive programs. Test track allows skaters to compete at a newly passed level without the frustration of coming up against kids doing axel combos. It levels the playing ice.

In the well-balanced track, the only restrictions on elements are requirements of not going higher than a certain jump, or including certain jumps in the program. For example, preliminary allows two different types of double jumps (though the test requires at its highest a flip jump) and pre-juvenile allows (I think) 4 types of double jumps. Spins are not restricted. In test track, only the elements on the test (or sometimes slightly higher)...

"Grading" is a good way to look at it. ISI competitions are similar to the Test Track competitions with the restrictions on elements. I always teach my students to think of "skating against the book" as a grade - you have to get an "A" against the perfect scoring competitor in order to win first place.

Quote: Originally Posted by falen I guess I got a little ahead of myself. In her first 2 sessions, they had a "test" at the end to move up. I guess that is not "the" tests. Those were most likely basic skills tests or tests in the Learn to Skate program - it is very confusing actually. "The" tests come after that, when the skater is taking private lessons - this is what everyone is talking...

Quote: Originally Posted by falen yes basic skills. Her coach is really excited about putting her in a local competition so I started really reading up on it over the past few days. DD gave her some music and she liked it all for her. She is skating less than a year and has only completed 2 group sessions, is on her third group session and since she really is into it, I started privates too. I hope it not too soon for that . I guess I got a...