Any Adults Testing Soon?

[Adultsk8r509]

Anyone else planning to test soon?  I'm going for it on 6-12-12.  I am still undecided about the FS.

[Kim to the Max]

I am planning on taking my Senior Moves this summer sometime...hopefully I will pass this time!

[Skittl1321]

Can't decide.

There is an opportunity for Bronze Freeskate in June though.

[Adultsk8r509]

Can't decide.

There is an opportunity for Bronze Freeskate in June though.

How is the progress on the elements you were struggling with?

[Skittl1321]

How is the progress on the elements you were struggling with?

No change really.  It's getting good in the harness though  I skate with so much more confidence in the harness, because I know I can't fall.  And then I don't fall, so it didn't even matter I was in the harness.  But I can't translate that to skating out of the harness.


I really do think you should do your FS.  Your elements are strong, and even if the program isn't polished as you'd like- you can put them all together. You have great presence on the ice.

[Adultsk8r509]

No change really.  It's getting good in the harness though  I skate with so much more confidence in the harness, because I know I can't fall.  And then I don't fall, so it didn't even matter I was in the harness.  But I can't translate that to skating out of the harness.


I really do think you should do your FS.  Your elements are strong, and even if the program isn't polished as you'd like- you can put them all together. You have great presence on the ice.

I have never been in a harness.  Someday.  I'm off for a 30 minute lesson.  Keep going for it ... you are nearly there.  I am sure in practice you have it aced.

[jjane45]

I don't know. Tempting for sure, but I can't fully justify putting scarce resources toward membership fees, time, and testing fees at the moment. Plus salchow and toe loop are my weakest jumps.

Coach isn't quite into adult track MITF either. Maybe for fun I'll ask a friend to tape my moves and post the video, see realistically how far away am I from passing the first two moves tests in Chicago, where the testing standard is said to be above average...

[Skittl1321]

I don't know. Tempting for sure, but I can't fully justify putting scarce resources toward membership fees, time, and testing fees at the moment.

If you aren't a USFS member right now, unless you are dead sure you're going to pass, I'd wait until next year.  That way you can hit up more than one test session if necessary.

[VAsk8r]

I'm re-taking adult bronze moves in late June. My coach asked me if I wanted to also prepare a program for bronze free skate, but I'd rather just focus on the moves for now.

I'm really on the fence about moving up to bronze free skate. If I have a good day, I'm fairly confident I can pass the test. And there are more bronze skaters in our area than pre-bronze. But honestly, I'm worried about going from being middle of the pack in pre-bronze, to placing last in bronze competitions. U

nlike a lot of people, I don't really get motivated from placing last, just discouraged. Skating is the only physical activity I've ever found that I enjoy and am halfway decent at (at least, most other people can hardly skate at all, so my weak skills impress them), so placing last brings back a lot of doubts and bad memories from other sports.

[Skittl1321]

VASkater...
It sounds like you have pb adults to compete against. Except the AN thing, I don't think I would be so anxious to move up if I did.  The pb events around here are usually the same no test skaters and it is no fun to always win against them, because they are the just haven't tested yet variety but the not yet able to test ones.  So I compete against the bronze ladies by skating up, I'd rather come in last knowing on my best day I might be higher than come in first knowing that I likely still would with a meltdown.

If PB was a true competition, it might be more reasonable for me at least to stay there. (just some thoughts)

[VAsk8r]

It sounds like you have pb adults to compete against.

It's hit or miss, now that I think about it. I've done some competitions where we had several in pre-bronze, several in silver and none in bronze, and some where I was the only pre-bronze and there were several bronzes. I know I could skate up to silver if I passed my bronze FS but I'm probably a couple of years away from being anywhere near competitive in that group.

We have a bronze adult at my rink, and it'd be fun to compete against her, but she frequently skates up.

Maybe I'll put off the test but enter bronze FS at the USFS fall competition in my area and see how it goes.

[AgnesNitt]

Helloooo! Dance tests!

[turnip]

Tested yesterday lol! (UK system, level 1 field moves, which is like moves in the field. We don't have a separate adult track).

[fsk8r]

Tested yesterday lol! (UK system, level 1 field moves, which is like moves in the field. We don't have a separate adult track).

How did you get on?

And I'm another one who tested yesterday. Level 2 free dance.

[JHarer]

I'll be testing APB MIF and maybe APB FS after the new membership year begins.

[Skate@Delaware]

I'm getting ready to retake my AB FS test May 19th and a possible retake in June.  We subbed the flip jump for the loop, which really isn't much improvement in my book (I can't do either very well, but the loop I am better at).  My backspin is getting better....if I'm not in program.  This will be my last Moves/Freestyle test, I've already decided that Silver Moves are impossible for me to do, so I'll switch over to the dance tests.  Given that my job takes up so much skating time, and skating sessions are virtually nil at my rink, it puts a damper on any sort of improvement.  I will still compete but will be permanently stuck at Bronze, and I'm ok with that.  Trying to make lemonade out of lemons. 

[sarahspins]

I'll be testing APB MIF and maybe APB FS after the new membership year begins.

Same here, though I'll be testing bronze MIF as well, and then probably silver MIF and bronze FS at the following session.

[davincisop]

Adult bronze free skate (just need a stronger backspin) and adult silver moves in July.

[Adultsk8r509]

Adult bronze free skate (just need a stronger backspin) and adult silver moves in July.

Me too... my backspin is awful. 

[Skate@Delaware]

I'm curious as to why adults have a harder time with the backspin than the kids?  (i know it's not just me lol).

[Skittl1321]

I'm curious as to why adults have a harder time with the backspin than the kids?  (i know it's not just me lol).

The kids around here seem to have a pretty tough time with it too... 
Most of them spin on the wrong edge for years.

[FigureSpins]

Don't worry: Kids have a hard time, too.  I have students who really, really struggle with backspins.  Some can't stay off the toepick, can't check the upper body properly,  hold the outside edge, rock on the blade and twizzle instead.  

[Adultsk8r509]

I'm curious as to why adults have a harder time with the backspin than the kids?  (i know it's not just me lol).

Who knows.  I am going on the back of my blade and not staying on the outside edge.  When you hit it correctly it feels great.

[Skate@Delaware]

Who knows.  I am going on the back of my blade and not staying on the outside edge.  When you hit it correctly it feels great.

I sometimes find myself on the wrong edge...it's slowly improving tho.  it's getting the rest of my body to be in the right spot that holds me back.  Either my shoulders block the spin, or my free leg isn't waiting long enough. (sigh) I'll eventually get it.

[VAsk8r]

It took me a year to be able to get more than one rotation out of my backspin, and I still struggle with checking out of it. I can't pull my left leg back across my right leg once it's there. It just doesn't want to move. I think a big part of it is I spin until I lose most of my speed, and then it's harder to check out.

On the other hand, it took me a year and a half before I could cross my free leg in a scratch spin. And when I do sit spins, I can't bring my free leg close enough to my right knee. A lot of times it just kind of hangs out there, six inches away.

Isn't spinning FUN?