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Coach Says You Are Ready to Test!

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So your coach says you’re ready to test your Pre-Preliminary Moves in the Field test, your first United States Figure Skating (USFS) test on your way to becoming a "gold medalists" and possibly competing at the US Figure Skating National Championships… now what? How do you sign-up? Who are the judges? What do you wear? How does this work?

Sign-up to test:
Hopefully you are a member of a USFS through your local club or as an individual member. If you are not, you will need to join. Most clubs have a variety of membership options so make sure to check that you have a membership that allows you to take a USFS test. Memberships start July 1st.

You’ll probably need to sign-up for your test online and provide your coach’s contact info. This is so the test chairman of the club can check with your coach to confirm that they approve of your test.

Pre-Preliminary Moves in the Field Test - Spiral

 

How a test session works:
You might consider watching a Pre-Preliminary Moves in the Field (MIF) test either live at your club’s test session and/or on YouTube. It helps to understand how the rhythm of a test session goes and the protocols that you will be expected to follow. It does vary slightly from rink to rink, state to state, but generally the judge (or three judges – depends on your test chairman’s preference and the availability of the judges) will call the skater over to the side of the rink. Here they confirm your name to make sure they are marking the correct person. Sometimes they’ll go over the order of the moves and ask if you are ready. This is your first impression. Be confident. Speak up. Answer any questions they ask you. Then go perform your test as you have practiced it.

Another variable could be that there might be other skaters testing at the same time you are. This too depends on your test chairman’s preferences, the availability of judges and the amount of ice time allotted for the whole test session. If there are other skaters on the ice testing at the same time you are do your best to avoid a collision. Sometimes a judge will “direct traffic” and tell the skaters when to go to perform their next move.

The important thing is to show the judges your skating. You might have to use a different line to do your edges. You might be directed to use a different part of the ice for your Waltz 8. Be flexible. You should be able to do any part of the test on any part of the ice and any direction. This will help relieve your stress on test day.

On YouTube there are lots of tests you can watch. Make sure to confirm with your coach which ones they want you to watch. Sometimes the skater might have a different technique or slightly altered pattern from what you were taught. That’s normal. There are various right ways to do things. But check with your coach to confirm. And remember, not all YouTube videos are of passing tests… some are fails (or retries). You can learn a lot from watching retries too!

The judges come to your test assuming you are going to pass. Why would you have signed up if you didn’t think you were going to pass? But they also understand nerves. Show them what you have practiced with confidence. If you show them what they are expecting to see they will pass you. Many of them either were skaters or are currently skaters. They understand how scary it can be to test but they do need to see your moves skated correctly. They are volunteering their time to evaluate your performance and want to pass you, but will only pass you if your skating is to the standard or above.

About a week before the test session a schedule should be posted or sent to you. Check to make sure you are on the list and scheduled to take the correct test. Arrive at the test session about 1 hour before your warm-up time. As soon as you arrive check in with the ice monitor to see if the test session is running on-time. Also check in with your coach so they know you are in the building.

On ice warmups vary in length so make sure to check with your coach to find out what you should do on your warmup.

Atmosphere:
The atmosphere of a test session is usually serious and quiet. The person on the ice is the focus. You should warm-up quietly and not distract the skater or the judges. There are also lots of emotions at a test session. Be aware of the various situations and be respectful of their space. It’s not proper to ask a skater who has tested, “Did you pass?” You are putting that skater on the spot. Focus on your test and let the other skaters do the same. You can find out through your coach or online later the results of the other testers. However, if there are smiles, congratulations, and shrieks of joy because someone has passed a test you can certainly go congratulate them.

Results:
How fast you find out if you passed your test varies based on many factors including: how fast did the judges turn in their sheets, is the test chair able to review the sheets, can they find you to give you your results (don’t hide in the bathroom!) or is your coach available in between other skater’s tests. Either the test chair will give you, the tester, the sheets or give your coach the sheets. Either way you need to study them with your coach. If you are handed the original sheets the test chair will want them back to make copies. However, often the test chair will have already made a copy of the originals so you can keep the sheets you are handed. Make sure to find out if you can keep what you are handed.

The Pre-Preliminary MIF test is marked by the judges as a pass or retry. The judges are given room on the test sheets to write comments. Remember, they have been standing through your whole test at the side of the rink and their hands are probably frozen. Judge’s handwriting is notoriously hard to read. But take their comments to heart. They are trying to help you by offering these comments.

On higher level tests I also recommend skaters double check the math. Each move will be given a score and it’s been known to happen that whoever added up the scores writes down the incorrect total. I’ve seen it go both ways – to the skater’s advantage and disadvantage. But you need to bring any calculation errors to the attention of the test chair.

If you are able to talk to a judge or the judges I would highly recommend you do! Go with your coach and say “Thank you” to them. Again, they have volunteered their time to judge your test. Judges are not paid. That is considered a conflict of interest. They often will elaborate on any comments and/or help you read their handwriting. They will give you some good feedback and advice. Listen attentively and ask any follow-up questions you have. It’s sometimes hard to hear criticism but if you are a skater who dreams of success and glory, you need to listen to the people evaluating your performance and apply their advice. That’s how you will improve and ultimately reach your goals and dreams. You must change from what you are today little caterpillar to someday skate like a beautiful butterfly!

Attire:
Check with your coach about what is proper attire for your test but at the Pre-Preliminary MIF level you don’t need a fancy competition outfit. As you continue to test at the higher levels you might then wear a competition outfit. But for a Pre-Preliminary MIF test you can wear a practice outfit with a jacket that is not too bulky so the judges can see your body lines. Test sessions are usually colder than regular practice sessions so make sure you have layers on that you can take off and still look presentable. For ladies you’ll want age appropriate makeup and hair that is organized in a ponytail or bun.

Coaching:
Check with your coach about payment for them attending your test session. Coach’s test fees vary so ask ahead of time what their fee for test sessions is so you are prepared. Remember, a coach would not tell you that you are ready to test unless they have seen you skate the test to a passing level. Trust your coach – you are paying them for their knowledge and expertise.

By passing USFS tests you will be eligible for different events at competitions and will be increasing your skating skills. There are quite a few disciplines you can test: moves in the field, free skate, pairs, pattern dance, free dance and figures. Some of these disciplines have a prerequisite of other tests to be passed before you are eligible to test. For example, before you are eligible to test Pre-Preliminary Free Skate you must have passed the Pre-Preliminary Moves in the Field test.


Here is a link to all the USFS test forms which the judge(s) will complete as they watch you skate and judge your test. You are welcome to look at the sheets ahead of time to see what they judge(s) will be looking at during your test.


Testing is just an evaluation of your skating on that day at that time. There are no limits to the number of times you can try to take a test. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again! However, if you fail a test you can not retry it for 27 days per the USFS rulebook. So make sure you give yourself enough time prior to any competition deadlines to try a test a couple times just in case the first time you don’t pass.

About the Author Katie Holmes

Katie was a US national competitor at 16 and has taught everything from beginners to high-level Moves in the Field and Gold / International Ice Dances for the past 20 years. She can also help novice hockey players improve their skating skills (stopping, quick starts, turns, power). Get detailed corrections and improve your efficiency, power and balance on the ice. Offering lessons in Fort Collins, Colorado.

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