usfs ages limits

[Debbie S]

Sorry, I'm a little late to this discussion, but wanted to add some things.

It sounds like the OP got her questions answered - since it's her daughter who is competing, I assume we're talking about a kid, so yes, the age limits that would affect her are those for Juv (under 13) and Intermediate (under 18). The lower levels (No-Test, Pre-Prelim, Prelim, and Pre-Juv) and the higher levels (Novice, Junior, Senior) have no age limits. FYI, these are spelled out in the rulebook in the competitions section - just flip through until you see descriptions/rules for each level. Music rules are there, too.

As for adult comps, the various test levels are divided by age for comp purposes, as long as there are enough skaters at each level. Usually that only happens in the all-adult comps, and of course Sectionals and AN (although age groups can be combined at ref's discretion). Adult levels are Pre-Bronze, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Masters. Masters is for those who have passed Intermediate FS or higher. Most of those people skated as kids and either passed to that level as kids, or tested up through a lower level (Pre-Juv, Juv, etc) as kids and continued their testing as adults. Adult skaters who started as kids have varying experiences - some never stopped (for high school, college, etc) and some stopped for a while and took it up again. It's always interesting to talk to other adults and hear about their experiences; often, no two skaters are the same.

[Debbie S]

OK, continuing... Sorry about multiple posts but I hate how the screen jumps around once you fill the initial box.

There are no age restrictions on adult skating or testing. When an adult skater has tested through Gold, he/she can move on to Intermediate. Theoretically, they could test all the way through Senior Moves and Freestyle. However, for a variety of reasons, most adult-onset skaters don't make it that far. Generally, the younger one starts skating, the further they will go in skills and tests passed. There are always exceptions, but learning double and triple jumps as an adult is rare. Most adult-onset skaters struggle with getting a clean axel, regardless of their basic skating skills. I know of adult skaters who have passed Int and Novice Moves whose axel is not clean and/or consistent. Passing the higher-level MIF tests is also very challenging. From what I've seen, most adults who pass Gold and put in a fair amount of practice time (at least 3 times a week) can usually pass Intermediate. But Novice is a whole other level. I imagine that's what prompted the rule change to have Adult and Masters options when testing Int MIF and higher. It will be interesting to see if this improves the passing rates. I'm speaking anecdotally here, just thinking about what I've witnessed firsthand. I have no knowledge of any specific numbers.

So triple, even double, jumps as an adult is most certainly not "typical". To suggest that is demonstrating total ignorance of adult skating and adult skaters. And looking at query's coach's bio, it is obvious that the woman began skating as a kid. It says she passed 6th Figure, and Novice FS. I believe 6th Figure directly corresponded to Novice, no? It appears that her adult competitive career involved Dance, not FS. Perhaps she didn't start testing dance until she was an adult - that is not unusual - I have an adult skater friend who got through 7th Figure (tested 8th a few times but didn't pass it) before she went to college and returned many years later, after med school and residency - and began testing dance. She competed in FS as a kid but did not want to go back to jumping when she was older. She has passed through Gold and is now working on int'ls. I also know of a coach who competed in both singles and pairs growing up and started testing dance as an adult, simply to have that credential on her coaching resume. I don't think she plans to teach dance, though.

Seeing as query takes dance lessons (at least, he has posted as such), it makes sense that his coach would be speaking about dance when referring to her experience.

[Debbie S]

One final note: someone asked about coach credentials. It varies, depending on the rink and quality of the program, but most coaches have passed either high-level Figures or MIF tests as well as FS. Dance coaches almost always have passed through Gold level, either in the U.S. or their country of origin. Many (non-dance) coaches in my area have "gold medals" (meaning passed the Senior/highest test) in multiple disciplines - Figures and FS, or MIF and FS, depending on their age, and sometimes Dance as well. A couple of coaches competed in Pairs and so have high-level pairs tests, too. Lack of a gold medal doesn't mean the coach isn't skilled. Generally, when choosing a coach, you want to look for a combo of tests and experience. Also, many coaches have taken PSA (coaches' certification org) ratings exams in various disciplines - this is not a requirement but many coaches do it to enhance their credentials. You should also try to watch the coach in action to observe his/her teaching style and talk to his/her students and/or parents to find out about their experience.

[jjane45]

Thank you Debbie S, tons of valuable information!

[falen]

Yes thanks.  Lots of info.  And to answer your question yes dd is 10.   And now she is calculating how long to "spend" on each level and asking for more ice, lessons... :bash

[Query]

Seeing as query takes dance lessons (at least, he has posted as such), it makes sense that his coach would be speaking about dance when referring to her experience.

Barbara is my previous coach. She is a wonderful coach, and I felt bad giving her up, but I generally spent most of a day getting to and from where she taught. My current coach is Anna Nykiel, who teaches where I skate. She is pretty good too, but she got serious about skating while young.

I've met people who learned to do doubles as adults. One wanted to do triples by age 65 - don't know if she made it. She took several lessons per week from very expensive coaches, and for all I know never went home. One started skating as an adult, and did nice triple axels, but she had already done triples in ballet, which she learned young. Another had been a gymnast and could still do gymnastic double jumps on the floor, and worked as a gymnastic coach. Another, who only got up to axels, AFAIK, was a ballroom dance instructor and childhood ballroom dance competitor. None of these people (Barbara included) are typical adult beginners.

I didn't mean to imply imply that most adults can learn to do the fancy stuff. I've come to realize that even most kids can't, and drop out of skating lessons within a relatively short time.

Most of the adult beginners I know are afraid to jump at all, as I would be if I had any common sense.

I would love to do a clean single jump. But Anna doesn't like my Waltz Jumps.

What we need are pills that teach us everything about skating, and give us athletic 18 year old bodies.

[Debbie S]

One started skating as an adult, and did nice triple axels, but she had already done triples in ballet, which she learned young.

I highly doubt any adult-onset skater, particularly a "she", did a triple axel, given that 99% of elite female skaters have never landed one. There have been 2 in U.S. skating history, and several more from other countries. Perhaps your friend the prodigy did double axels, but even that I doubt.

I didn't mean to imply imply that most adults can learn to do the fancy stuff.

Then why did you post this:

On the freestyle side, I've heard some people do triple jumps at USFSA Adult Nationals.

If we take these as "typical" adult examples, you should very soon be doing these sort of things, with just a itsy bitsy teensy weeny bit of work.

How about sparing us all from your garbage? Seriously.  

What we need are pills that teach us everything about skating

Yes, you do need to learn a lot about skating.

[jjane45]

Query is an awesome boot specialist and many benefit from his "falling gently" page. People can learn something new from each other everyday, that's part of the fun participating in forum discussions, no? Again, thank you everyone for the inputs!

[Debbie S]

Query is an awesome boot specialist

I'm not sure how you define "specialist" but you may want to reconsider that view. Remember that anyone can post something on a message board - just posting that they are an expert doesn't make them one. I've been on boards for a while, and I've seen a lot of trolls and random people posting drivel that sounds all technical but makes no sense and can't be backed up. When it comes to serious issues like boots and blades, injury prevention, etc, it's fine to read about others' experiences but best to follow the advice of people you know for a fact are qualified in those areas.

[Isk8NYC]

I think we're done here.