Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Slow Unveiling of My Bronze Program

Yesterday I had a crazy idea.  Enter a competition on July 13-14 that I am not ready for!
I discussed it with my coach and she thought it was a good idea.  Not from a competition standpoint, but from a shake-the-nerves standpoint.

My goal is to be able to go to Adult Nationals next April with a solid Adult Bronze program.  Between now and then I need to get in plenty of practice and actually get used to going to a competition.

Adult skating in my area is pretty quiet.  I don't expect to see many (if any) other competitors in July at the Bronze Level, especially in my age category (IV) 50-59.  So I will be competing for the sake of competing; skating to music, choreographed with required elements with a few people watching and of course, judges critiquing.

The video I shot yesterday starts with a few practice spins of my backspin (which is why I didn't want to test my Bronze Freeskate yet... It's not consistent yet).  Then you will see 1:44 seconds of my 1:50 music poorly skated in a rough outline of my program.  Ok, the cat is out of the bag.  I'm skating to the piano rendition of the them from Schindler's List.  I may switch it over to the violin version before next year if I get stronger.

I am pretty "old school" when it comes to what music I like to see people skate to and now ... perform to.  USFSA will allow you to skate to music with lyrics, but it's not for me.  I like mostly classical style music or soundtracks, themes, etc.   I know a lot of adult skaters enjoy putting on some wild costumes and skating in other events like Dramatic and Light Entertainment.  I won't say never, but right now all I can focus on is completing my first program with required elements cleanly.

Adult Bronze Requirement for the Freeskate are:



Jumps:
1. At least three different single jumps of which one must be a Salchow and one must be a toe loop
2. One jump combination consisting of a waltz jump and a toe loop (no turn
or change of foot between jumps)


Spins:
1. One-foot upright spin (minimum four revolutions in position)
2. One-foot backspin, entry optional (minimum three revolutions in position) 

3. Sit spin (minimum three revolutions in position)


Steps: 
1. Connecting moves, steps and edges throughout the program




4 comments:

  1. Your backspins are looking much better! Good luck on the upcoming competition and your test. :)

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  2. Thanks, they have a long way to go but I do feel like I am turning a corner. My coach said I was actually spinning on a FORWARD INSIDE for a while... she said... "remember how you did that later... it's an advanced spin you don't see that often!" ..... ha ha

    ReplyDelete
  3. Diane- the forward inside edge is VERY common among kids doing backspins here. I think it is the most common backspin mistake. There is always a big conversation among coaches about what to present in a competition- a slow, 3-rotation backspin on the correct edge, or a fast, 5-8 rev spin on the wrong one. There is never consensus, and you never know what the judge will prefer (when I judge ISI- I go for the correct edge over speed/revs on the wrong edge).

    Unfortunately, it doesn't count as an advanced spin unless you hit the back outside first, sustain it, and then change to the inside edge :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. The problem I have is that I cannot tell the difference of what I am doing! My very last post I felt like I was on a back edge ....maybe I am wrong!

    ReplyDelete

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