rules change

[falen]

Hi a parent told me there is a rule change that spirals have no points in a program so there is no point on putting them in.  I am kind of bummed because my dd has one of those Sasha Cohen spirals. 

[FigureSpins]

Hi a parent told me there is a rule change that spirals have no points in a program so there is no point on putting them in.  I am kind of bummed because my dd has one of those Sasha Cohen spirals.  

Sigh.  A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.  

IJS used to have a "spiral sequence" that was required in the programs and had point values with +/- GOE.  That was eliminated, which means spirals aren't scored as elements, but that doesn't mean they don't add value to a performance.  

Spirals, spreadeagles and other unscored elements add to the program's overall artistry and help garner points on scored elements.  A skater with a knockout spiral at the right point of the music builds their "second mark" by adding to music interpretation or artistry.  Under IJS, this is the "program component score."  Under 6.0, this is the "presentation score."

Spreadeagles are in the same category - there's nothing outright that says "an outside spreadeagle will add x points to your score."  Yet, watching a skater perform one and step up into a double axel adds to the artistry and the difficult entry into the axel, adding +GOE to that element.  Some skaters will perform a spiral and snap into a back camel, providing a difficult entrance and adding to their score.

I don't think I've ever seen a program without a spiral.  It's also used as a breather, to allow the skater to glide and catch their breath during the program.

[nicklaszlo]

Spirals can also be included in the new "choreographic sequence" technical element.  However, it looks like USFS has only included this in the senior level of its system.

[techskater]

Again, a little knowledge is dangerous.  At any level a choreographic step or spiral sequence was required it will be replaced with the choreographic sequence as the ChStSeq1 and ChSpSeq1 no longer exist.  In addition, a spiral is a REQUIRED piece of the new ChSeq1 for ladies although it has no requirements to length (other than "not a kick").  A nice spiral included in the ChSeq can boost GOE.

[nicklaszlo]

http://usfsa.org/content/Singles%20FS%20Elements%202012-2013%20POSTGC%20062112.pdf

This updated document clearly calls for choreographic step sequences in Juvenile and Intermediate. 

[techskater]

That is not current (well, it is through 6/30 which is tomorrow)

[nicklaszlo]

It says it goes into effect July 1 2012 at the top.

[FigureSpins]

The Technical Notification is a moot point because falen's DD is a no-test/ISI skater.  The Well-Balanced Program guidelines for No Test are more relevent.

That's why I mentioned the 6.0 scoring - there are no element-by-element points. 

[techskater]

ChStSeq1/ChSpSeq1 has been removed from the SoV and replaced with ChSeq1 (ISU communication 1672), so I am sure a clarification will be coming out soon.

If the OP's skater is in no-test, spirals were never a "scoring element" anyway and a nice spiral will make the program memorable.

[nicklaszlo]

The domestic season has started now and results for Juvenile and Intermediate are showing ChSt1 with a base value of 2.  Since the senior choreographic sequence has the same base value, it doesn't make much difference.

[blue111moon]

The base values of individual elements do not change by level.  A single flip has the same base value whether it's performed by a Juvenile or a Senior.

[nicklaszlo]

I said "senior" choreographic sequence because there isn't a juvenile or intermediate choreographic sequence (yet).  I did not expect base values to change by level.

[techskater]

It appears they are holding off dropping it down from the Senior level on the standard track due to the lateness of inclusion in the rules for this season(since it is on the adult WBP for IJS levels).