US Figure Skating Governing Council News

[PinkLaces]

Just wondering if anybody has heard any rumors of changes to the adult programs, testing, competition elements, etc.

I would still love to see the Silver MITF test broken up into 2 tests. Any changes you would like to see?

[techskater]

Your best bet is to go look at the gc book that just got released for rfa and the Facebook page

[tazsk8s]

Where can the GC book be found? I am on USFS Members Only and all the links still point to placeholders.

[TreSk8sAZ]

My understanding is there was a delay and the meeting book will be published closer to April 11, 2014.

[techskater]

Ok, there was a whole thread on the potential rfa's on one of the adult fb groups and I would be very concerned about posting any rumors until the book comes out as there were some seriously angry folks based on those rumors both those that heard it and from the asc. 

[FigureSpins]

The Adult Committee doesn't appreciate online discussions of topics, even brainstorming or daydreaming.  They like to keep their cards close to their vest, which I think is true of all USFSA committees, it's just that adults have access to online sites and are more free to speak their minds.  Members of the committee will typically respond to online discussions, saying that all suggestions should be sent to a committee member directly.  In the past, skatingforums' members have said that their efforts to reach out to the committee were accepted and either ignored or disregarded.  That said, the Adult Committee has evolved with many new members, so maybe the climate has changed for the better.  I don't know if that's true, but over the past few years, the Adult Committee effected changes in advance of GC with almost-immediate implementation timeframes.  Perhaps that's what the USFSA wants: rather than use GC time to discuss and vote on Adult changes, they delegated the changes to the Committee itself. 

Anyway, that's the beef on FB. 

The only proposal I've seen rumored is that Group V, the highest age group would be combined with Group IV, one step down. 

[techskater]

Not "combined" rumor is restructuring to 4 age classes to spread the distribution

[TreSk8sAZ]

The RFAs have been published on the members only part of the US Figure Skating website. There are a number of changes that affect adults. Included in them are:

-realigning the age classes to 4 classes to redistribute number (for example class I would now be 21-35 years, etc)
-changing the wording of adult mitf and adult freeskate tests to more closely align the wording to the standard track expectations and eliminate issues associated with judges not being familiar with the adult track
-combining masters intermediate and masters novice non-qual events to align with the championship categories
-combining masters junior and masters senior non-qual events to align with the championship categories

[tazsk8s]

So I am trying to figure out exactly what the rewording of the expectations for adult MITF tests actually means. Especially in my area, where even the standard track standards are pretty seriously inflated at the lower levels, and the adult tests were already being judged at the standard track standards anyway. Does this re-wording make things easier? Harder? No real change?   

(I will also comment that I would have still rather seen them use the same moves as the standard track (PB = pre-pre, Bronze = pre, etc) with the option for a lower passing score for adult, similar to what they do for dance and the higher level moves, but that's just me. It just seems more logical, and easier for the judges to figure out than all the different moves flung together from different standard level tests.)

[Skittl1321]

-realigning the age classes to 4 classes to redistribute number (for example class I would now be 21-35 years, etc)

No!  The ability of a 21 year old (who is often still a college student) is so different from that of a 30-something.
There is no freaking way I could compete with class I.

They just make this harder and harder.

[Clarice]

This doesn't necessarily have to pass, but those who oppose it need to tell their club delegates to vote against it.

There are also some changes to the MIF, a proposal to let dancers choose their own music for pattern dances, a new Open Masters division in synchro - it's really worth reading the Meeting Book.  It's available on the Members Only section of the USFS web site.  Click on General Info, then Governing Council.

[FigureSpins]

The 2014 Meeting book is on the members-only site now:  https://www.usfsaonline.org/Utilities/GetFileFromStorage?filepath=GoverningCouncil%5Cgc2014%5C2014%20Meeting%20Book.pdf

[FigureSpins]

There are proposed Moves in the Field changes from the Singles Committee (not the Adult Committee) from the book, such as:

Pre-Juv / Adult Gold - Backward Circle Eight becomes a BO Figure pattern, with two complete patterns required.  The transition and tracing of the BI edges would be eliminated.

Pre-Prel / Adult Pre-Bronze - instead of doing two patterns of the Waltz-8 like a Figure pattern, it would be done as a series of four half-circle lobes down the long axis of the rink.  (FO3-BO-FO)

Juvenile / Adult Gold - combining the four Power Circle patterns to start with Fwd xovers in the CCW direction, turning backwards and finishing the pattern with Bwd xovers.  Same combination from backward xovers to fwd xovers in a CW direction.  Could be scary at speed.       (No option of starting in the opposite direction, which is surprising.)

Intermediate - eliminating the spiral sequence patterns.  (Rats - I liked those patterns.)  ALSO: FI Twizzles only, no FO pattern.

Novice - Eliminate Forward Loop pattern.  BO Twizzles only.

Junior - Adding new Choctaw Sequence.  (Initial thought: Oh joy, another diagonal pattern to avoid on a busy freestyle session. It's okay; the current test has two sequences.  This combines them so we don't have to play dodge-'em cars at center ice twice.)


Interesting footnote: they're proposing that the Int and Sr Supplemental tests be eliminated since few skaters tested them.

Effective 9/2014, I believe

[FigureSpins]

The Adult Committee proposed some wording changes to the rulebook for Adult Moves tests:

TR 25.09 Adult Pre-Bronze Moves in the Field Test
Expectations for this adult standard test reflect a passing average that aligns with the pre-preliminary moves in the field test. The purpose of this test is to encourage beginning adult skaters to learn the fundamentals of ice skating. No great deal of technical ability, carriage or flow is expected. Candidates must show knowledge of the steps, fairly good edges and some evidence of good form.

TR 25.10 Adult Bronze Moves in the Field Test
Expectations for this adult standard test reflect a passing average that aligns with the preliminary moves in the field test. The purpose of this test is to continue the encouragement of beginning adult skaters to learn the fundamentals of ice skating. The fundamentals of ice skating must be demonstrated although not necessarily mastered. Candidates The candidate must show knowledge of the steps and a sense of continuous flow and strength. Attention should be given to depth of edges and proper curvature of lobes.

TR 25.11 Adult Silver Moves in the Field Test
Expectations for this adult standard test reflect a passing average that aligns with the pre-juvenile moves in the field test. The fundamentals of ice skating must be demonstrated, although not necessarily mastered. Good edges, flow, strength, extension, and form are required and must be strongly emphasized. Candidates must skate the correct steps and turns on good edges showing good form, continuous flow and strength, and preciseness to their steps.

TR 25.12 Adult Gold Moves in the Field Test
Expectations for this adult standard test reflect a passing average that aligns with the juvenile moves in the field test. Candidates must skate the correct steps and turns on good edges, with good form, flow, strength and preciseness to their steps. Candidates must give a strong performance showing strong true edges, smooth turns, correct posture and effortless flow.

All effective 7/1/2014

[JSM]

There are proposed Moves in the Field changes from the Singles Committee (not the Adult Committee) from the book, such as:


Novice - Eliminate Forward Loop pattern.  BO Twizzles only.

BI Twizzles were SO HARD!!  I practiced those for 30 minutes each session for 4 MONTHS before I took that test!  Would have loved to skip those, haha.

I did like the loop pattern, though, they should keep that!

Some of the other changes sound pretty reasonable.  The diagonal patterns are nearly impossible to practice on a busy session (or even a not-so-busy session).

[irenar5]

When would these new changes take effect?

[icedancer]

Dom't they have to vote on them or is this a done deal?

[FigureSpins]

I think the moves changes have to be voted on but the rulebook wording changes are likely a done deal. In the past, it's been a rubber-stamp if it was passed by the adult committee.   I was too busy to note the age category changes but they're in there and yes, it reduces the categories, but the age range distribution is different.

[FigureSpins]

When would these new changes take effect?

Rulebook wording changes, 7/1/2014.  Pattern changes, 9/1/2014.

[tazsk8s]

The Adult Committee proposed some wording changes to the rulebook for Adult Moves tests:

All effective 7/1/2014

Maybe I'm being really dense, but this is the part that I'm wondering what it really means. If anything.

[AgnesNitt]

Am I understanding this correctly: The adult MITF standards are now the same as the kids standards?

If so, they've just killed the adult testing program for people over 40 and probably killed it totally for adult learners. Why bother having 'adult' tests if the standards are the same.

[dlbritton]

I had figured if I ever got to competing it would be when I was 61 or older and I would be going against old farts like myself but now I'll have to face the 56-60 year old youngsters.

[icedancer]

Am I understanding this correctly: The adult MITF standards are now the same as the kids standards?

If so, they've just killed the adult testing program for people over 40 and probably killed it totally for adult learners. Why bother having 'adult' tests if the standards are the same.

In my mind you are reading it correctly.

Also agree with the "totally killed it" for adult learners over 40.

[AgnesNitt]

In my mind you are reading it correctly.

Also agree with the "totally killed it" for adult learners over 40.

Screw USFSA. Hello ISI.

[dlbritton]

Am I understanding this correctly: The adult MITF standards are now the same as the kids standards?

If so, they've just killed the adult testing program for people over 40 and probably killed it totally for adult learners. Why bother having 'adult' tests if the standards are the same.

Are the moves/patterns the same between the standard track and the adult track? I didn't get that far in the manual (and might not have understood it even if I had).

I did notice the changes that were struck out in Bronze were moved to Silver, and what was struck out in Silver was moved to Gold. That partially implies Bronze/Silver/Gold were relaxed a bit, but were the scores to pass a level raised?