Getting the bad blood out of your system?

[jjane45]

When elite skaters have a bad official practice before major competitions, I remember people say: at least s/he got the bad blood (?) out of her/his system and will do great in the actual competition. (not sure if it was called bad blood or bad something...)

I had a fluke fall in the morning today and got a nicely swollen right cheek, which will likely turn all purple tomorrow and stay that way for the test (will that get me sympathy points from judges?) When group coach learned about the mishap tonight, he mentioned how skaters are not likely to have a perfect week leading up to big events, and bad practices get the bad blood (?) out of your system. What do you think about this observation? It definitely comforted me somewhat, lol.

[SynchKat]

I am of the view it is best to get the falls out before a competition or test.  What are the odds of having a few terrible skates?  I think it is a skater's way of being superstitious.  I buy into it.  You will have an awesome test.

[aussieskater]

I buy in too!  If I don't fall in the last practice before a test or competition, I deliberately sit down on the ice as I leave it, "to get the fall out of my system".

[JHarer]

I've always been told bad rehearsal, good show. I think the same applies to skating.

[sarahspins]

Well, if nothing else it gets you over the fear that you'll skate worse than your practice

I think you'll do fine - I know you dropped bronze moves, so does that leave you with just pre-bronze moves and free or are you doing the prelim dances too?

[VAsk8r]

Gosh, I am sorry about your cheek! That sounds awful.

We just call it "getting the fall/bad skate out of your system" here. Generally I think it's a decent theory, although my last test would prove otherwise. Perhaps after your fall you'll just be like, "I don't care, I'm already hurt, I'm doing this!" and you will.

[fsk8r]

I fell during my last competition and 3 days later I was testing the program. There were some nerves associated with the bit I fell on, but my coach was all positive about it and just said get on with it. You don't normally fall. And I had the attitude that I was going to show the judges (same ones as at the competition) that I can skate the program well. Having that little bit of fire helped overcome the nerves.
I'm sure you'll have a great test tomorrow.
Good luck and have fun.

[Skittl1321]

So sorry to hear.


I had the best program of my life the day I before I failed a test. So maybe a bad competition would have led to a better test? I do think that the "dont leave your best on the warm up" rings true.  I will say, I don't think I got any sympathy points for skating injured

Have a great test. Be confident, you can do it.

[AgnesNitt]

When elite skaters have a bad official practice before major competitions, I remember people say: at least s/he got the bad blood (?) out of her/his system and will do great in the actual competition. (not sure if it was called bad blood or bad something...)

Are you sure it wasn't 'bad luck'?

[jjane45]

I know you dropped bronze moves, so does that leave you with just pre-bronze moves and free or are you doing the prelim dances too?

Prelim dances and pre bronze moves, no free

I really can't remember if it was specifically called bad blood, maybe it was bad skate, pretty sure not bad luck. What do people say on FSU?

Thank you everyone for your kind words, I'm ready and there is always makeup foundation! LOL

[Skittl1321]

I told my husband about this thread and he told me about a coversation on ESPN where the person was saying the undefeated team needed to lose a game now, to get it out of their system before playoffs.

So the sentiment seems present in everything.

[sarahspins]

there is always makeup foundation! LOL

No kidding.. I'm convinced that's the whole reason pancake foundation exists (and is so commonly used by skaters/dancers).. bruise coverage!  

[jjane45]

No kidding.. I'm convinced that's the whole reason pancake foundation exists (and is so commonly used by skaters/dancers).. bruise coverage!  

Oh no... I rather prefer to think there are not so many bruises to cover!!    ROTFLOL

[phoenix]

I habitually had a bad practice week before testing. I had only 1 disastrous test, every other time I was fine for the test (nervous, but skated fine.)

[jjane45]

All passed including surprise bronze moves! I am buying the theory now!

[taka]

Yay! Well done!! Congratulations!

[phoenix]

Woo hoo!! Congratulations!!

[techskater]

Congratulations!!

[icedancer]

You took the Bronze Moves too at the last minute??  Wow.

Congratulations!

[Skittl1321]

All passed including surprise bronze moves! I am buying the theory now!

Congrats!!!   But imagine the fall you're going to have to take before you take your silver moves 

[jjane45]

Congrats!!!   But imagine the fall you're going to have to take before you take your silver moves  

I know exactly which step it will be: CW 8 step mohawk crossover!!!

Thank you everyone, you are so sweet <3

[icedancer]

Are you going to write up your impressions (in detail) of your tests?  What made you go for the Bronze Moves? I thought that you had decided to wait on that one!

[jjane45]

I've always hoped to take the bronze moves in this test session, despite the preparation time was less than perfect and the rough spots. A main reason is I do not want to take the bronze FS (which is next on the agenda) contingent on bronze moves. On Friday I was recommended not to take the bronze moves because 1) rusty and 2) too many tests for a first timer. The fluke fall did not factor into consideration.

My general impression about the actual test, including the "turn of events", is in the practice thread. Typing up the judge's comments, the video is taking forever to upload though. (slow home internet!!)

[icedancer]

I saw the notes in the practice thread after I wrote my inquiry - oh well - so happy for you!

I was also thinking that it was a lot of tests to take in one day especially since it was your first time testing USFS... I can tell you that I thought testing Moves the first time was totally bizarre... but the fact that you were caught unawares - I think I would have been like, "Oh well, what the hell" and just done it - I like testing in general so I can see why you did it!!

Honestly I figured you were ready for the Bronze Moves because despite my picky-ness on your practice video I honestly thought you had really good flow and stuff - also agree with the judge that you don't appear to have any "sidedness" issues - at least not that I could see on that video.

I would love to see the comments when you get a minute to write those up!

[Laneybug7]

Oh man I remember I had the worst last runthrough in front of my coach before last years show.  I didn't think it could get that bad and also during the warm up for the show..I kept falling on my axel.  I thought if this keeps up theres no way I'm going to land it all by myself on the ice with nerves working against me.  But surprisingly I did.   Same with my first competition and my loop jump.  I could not land it for the life of me during warm up and the practices before.  But low and behold, I landed it during the competition routine.  Gotta love skating..it messes with your head:)