NEW COMPETITORS GUIDE
To compete a skater must meet the age and test qualifications for the event. The timing of the competition must also fit into the yearly plan. If a certain competition is appropriate, your coach will give your skater an application form. It is the parent’s responsibility to fill it out and send it to the competition registrar along with the entry fee before the due date. Applications are not accepted after the due date-not even one day late. About a week before the competition either the skater or your coach or the Club (it varies with the Competition) will receive confirmation of the entry along with the time of the event. Let your coach know this time and any practice ice time as soon as possible.
PREPARING FOR THE BIG DAY:
Your skater will practice a solo that includes elements with the greatest difficulty he/she can successfully perform. The next step will be to practice it on a less crowded session or in an exhibition to simulate the feel of performing on the ice alone. If possible, skaters should perform at least one exhibition or attend at least one freestyle session before a competition in which they will wear their competition outfit and practice their solo. A schedule of freestyle ice is available from the front desk.
However, your coach will not recommend cramming for a competition. It is much more advantageous to skate a little more every week than to wear the skater out with extra practice to which she is unaccustomed and which, in the week of a competition, is more likely to degrade rather than enhance performance.
CLOTHING:
Skating dresses with beige tights for girls and tailored pants with a sweater or shirt for boys are mandatory. Skaters can wear a neat sweater and/or gloves for the warm-up but NOT for the performance. Competition skating dresses usually have beads or sequins or sparkles on them. Girls do not wear underwear for competition as it will show below the panties of their dress.
Hair MUST be tidy – bun or ponytail. Girls customarily wear some makeup- blush and lipstick and usually have some kind of decoration in their hair.
SKATES:
Skates must be properly sharpened and clean with neat laces. If your child’s skates need to be sharpened, please do this at least two practices before the competition. It is not advisable to arrive on the day of the competition with freshly sharpened skates.
Skates can be cleaned with white shoe polish or white shoe dye. Laces should be taken out and washed. This should be done a couple of practices before the competition so that the laces can be worked back into a comfortable and correct position for the skater.
THE DAY OF THE COMPETITION:
Plan to arrive an hour ahead of your scheduled performance time. If your event is scheduled to be early in the morning don’t sleep on the way to the competition- it will just leave your skater drowsy. Register at the desk when you arrive and hand in one (1) copy of your music- as stipulated in the competition application form. Make sure your tape is fully rewound; they will not do this for you. Remember to pick up your music after the event. Competitions do not forward music that is left behind.
Do not assume that your event will start at the scheduled time- they rarely do. Check with someone with a clipboard if you are unsure of the actual schedule. Be sure you are in the correct arena. Many competitions have two rinks going at the same time. Make sure your skater stays warm. Skaters should not sit and watch other skaters before they perform.
Each skater should do an off-ice warm-up right before she puts on her skates. Please bring running shoes and a skipping rope to the competition and I will take her through this warm up at the appropriate time or direct her to do it if I have other students on the ice.
The event will begin with an on-ice warm-up (anywhere from 3-6 minutes) This warm-up takes place immediately preceding each event. It is a time for skaters to feel the ice before performing. The warm-up is not judged. About 10-15 minutes before the warm-up your skater can put her skates on. Do not put them on too early. Parents should follow the volunteers’ directions regarding proper viewing areas. Parents will NOT be allowed at ice level during the competition and are advised to say their well-wishes before the off-ice warm up and then retire to the viewing area. Your coach will take the skaters from this point on.
It is customary for coaches to be paid to attend competitions. A coach’s fees for attending competitions are outlined in their respective new parent letter or in conversations with their skate families. Your coach will typically try to be at the competition ½ an hour before the event. At which time, your coach will make sure your skater is where she/he is supposed to be and doing what she/he is supposed to do!
Skaters should eat a light meal no later than 1½-2 hours before the competition but don’t force skaters to eat.
Competitions usually offer a video taping service. This is a good idea if you don’t want to or can’t tape your skater’s performance. It provides your skater with immediate feedback about her performance and a record of performances over time.
Polite applause for your skater's competitors is encouraged.
DO’S AND DON’TS FOR PARENTS:
DO
-maintain a positive attitude
-be respectful to other competitors
-be generous with your praise- your child has worked hard
-support your skater regardless of the outcome
-accept the result with grace
DON’T
-keep asking your skater if she is nervous
-keep picking at your skater’s hair, clothes etc. because you are nervous
-use flash photography at any time while in the rink
-bad-mouth other skaters
-bad-mouth your skater
-complain about the result
JUDGING:
If there are a lot of skaters in the event, the event may be divided into two or more groups. Your skater will be competing against all the skaters in all the flights in their group.
Competitions are judged by qualified US Figure Skating Judges. They will be looking for quality elements executed with good form and balance. Each judge assigns each skater a mark. After the competition the marks are tallied according to USFS rules. All placements are final. Results are posted about ½ an hour after the event finishes. Trophies, medals and/or ribbons are usually awarded to the competitors about an hour after the results are posted.
Competition Checklist
- USFSA Card / membership number & rulebook
- Confirmed times for practices and events
- Competition outfit with matching hair accessories (on hanger with a protective cover such as a garment bag)
- Blanket or towel for stretching, jump rope
- TIED gym shoes – not fashion gym shoes – for warm up
- Practice outfit (pants are unacceptable - unless you are a boy!)
- Warm up sweater that buttons or zips up the front (not one that pulls off over the head) and matching gloves – without holes in the fingers.
- Backup Competition Outfit
- Tights plus a spare pair
- Skates (clean laces and polished to look new) and extra laces
- Polish for touch-ups
- Skate Guards with your name on them
- 2 copies of all music (freestyle & artistic programs) properly cued and labeled with your name and event
- Make-up (blush, eye shadow, lipstick, nail polish, etc.) Please no glitter near the eyes.
- Hair accessories – brush, comb, scrunchies, elastics, hair spray, make-up, bobby pins, hair dryer & curling iron
- Emergency kit (safety pins, needle & thread, aspirin, clear nail polish, high-energy snacks, etc.)
- Small screwdriver (Phillips and or flat head depending on the type of screws in your skates)
- Good luck items
- Remember that no underwear is to be worn under costumes!
- Good street clothes – no ripped clothes or age inappropriate outfits, the judges watch you on the ice and off. Pajamas, swimsuit, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, etc.
- Blank video tape or tape cued to last competition
- Camera & accessories (charged camcorder batteries)
Take your good sportsmanship with you…
you never know who is sitting behind you.
AND MOST IMPORTANT – a positive attitude, good work ethic and a big smile!
LET’S HAVE FUN! That is what skating and your hard work is all about!
PREPARING FOR THE BIG DAY:
Your skater will practice a solo that includes elements with the greatest difficulty he/she can successfully perform. The next step will be to practice it on a less crowded session or in an exhibition to simulate the feel of performing on the ice alone. If possible, skaters should perform at least one exhibition or attend at least one freestyle session before a competition in which they will wear their competition outfit and practice their solo. A schedule of freestyle ice is available from the front desk.
However, your coach will not recommend cramming for a competition. It is much more advantageous to skate a little more every week than to wear the skater out with extra practice to which she is unaccustomed and which, in the week of a competition, is more likely to degrade rather than enhance performance.
CLOTHING:
Skating dresses with beige tights for girls and tailored pants with a sweater or shirt for boys are mandatory. Skaters can wear a neat sweater and/or gloves for the warm-up but NOT for the performance. Competition skating dresses usually have beads or sequins or sparkles on them. Girls do not wear underwear for competition as it will show below the panties of their dress.
Hair MUST be tidy – bun or ponytail. Girls customarily wear some makeup- blush and lipstick and usually have some kind of decoration in their hair.
SKATES:
Skates must be properly sharpened and clean with neat laces. If your child’s skates need to be sharpened, please do this at least two practices before the competition. It is not advisable to arrive on the day of the competition with freshly sharpened skates.
Skates can be cleaned with white shoe polish or white shoe dye. Laces should be taken out and washed. This should be done a couple of practices before the competition so that the laces can be worked back into a comfortable and correct position for the skater.
THE DAY OF THE COMPETITION:
Plan to arrive an hour ahead of your scheduled performance time. If your event is scheduled to be early in the morning don’t sleep on the way to the competition- it will just leave your skater drowsy. Register at the desk when you arrive and hand in one (1) copy of your music- as stipulated in the competition application form. Make sure your tape is fully rewound; they will not do this for you. Remember to pick up your music after the event. Competitions do not forward music that is left behind.
Do not assume that your event will start at the scheduled time- they rarely do. Check with someone with a clipboard if you are unsure of the actual schedule. Be sure you are in the correct arena. Many competitions have two rinks going at the same time. Make sure your skater stays warm. Skaters should not sit and watch other skaters before they perform.
Each skater should do an off-ice warm-up right before she puts on her skates. Please bring running shoes and a skipping rope to the competition and I will take her through this warm up at the appropriate time or direct her to do it if I have other students on the ice.
The event will begin with an on-ice warm-up (anywhere from 3-6 minutes) This warm-up takes place immediately preceding each event. It is a time for skaters to feel the ice before performing. The warm-up is not judged. About 10-15 minutes before the warm-up your skater can put her skates on. Do not put them on too early. Parents should follow the volunteers’ directions regarding proper viewing areas. Parents will NOT be allowed at ice level during the competition and are advised to say their well-wishes before the off-ice warm up and then retire to the viewing area. Your coach will take the skaters from this point on.
It is customary for coaches to be paid to attend competitions. A coach’s fees for attending competitions are outlined in their respective new parent letter or in conversations with their skate families. Your coach will typically try to be at the competition ½ an hour before the event. At which time, your coach will make sure your skater is where she/he is supposed to be and doing what she/he is supposed to do!
Skaters should eat a light meal no later than 1½-2 hours before the competition but don’t force skaters to eat.
Competitions usually offer a video taping service. This is a good idea if you don’t want to or can’t tape your skater’s performance. It provides your skater with immediate feedback about her performance and a record of performances over time.
Polite applause for your skater's competitors is encouraged.
DO’S AND DON’TS FOR PARENTS:
DO
-maintain a positive attitude
-be respectful to other competitors
-be generous with your praise- your child has worked hard
-support your skater regardless of the outcome
-accept the result with grace
DON’T
-keep asking your skater if she is nervous
-keep picking at your skater’s hair, clothes etc. because you are nervous
-use flash photography at any time while in the rink
-bad-mouth other skaters
-bad-mouth your skater
-complain about the result
JUDGING:
If there are a lot of skaters in the event, the event may be divided into two or more groups. Your skater will be competing against all the skaters in all the flights in their group.
Competitions are judged by qualified US Figure Skating Judges. They will be looking for quality elements executed with good form and balance. Each judge assigns each skater a mark. After the competition the marks are tallied according to USFS rules. All placements are final. Results are posted about ½ an hour after the event finishes. Trophies, medals and/or ribbons are usually awarded to the competitors about an hour after the results are posted.
Competition Checklist
- USFSA Card / membership number & rulebook
- Confirmed times for practices and events
- Competition outfit with matching hair accessories (on hanger with a protective cover such as a garment bag)
- Blanket or towel for stretching, jump rope
- TIED gym shoes – not fashion gym shoes – for warm up
- Practice outfit (pants are unacceptable - unless you are a boy!)
- Warm up sweater that buttons or zips up the front (not one that pulls off over the head) and matching gloves – without holes in the fingers.
- Backup Competition Outfit
- Tights plus a spare pair
- Skates (clean laces and polished to look new) and extra laces
- Polish for touch-ups
- Skate Guards with your name on them
- 2 copies of all music (freestyle & artistic programs) properly cued and labeled with your name and event
- Make-up (blush, eye shadow, lipstick, nail polish, etc.) Please no glitter near the eyes.
- Hair accessories – brush, comb, scrunchies, elastics, hair spray, make-up, bobby pins, hair dryer & curling iron
- Emergency kit (safety pins, needle & thread, aspirin, clear nail polish, high-energy snacks, etc.)
- Small screwdriver (Phillips and or flat head depending on the type of screws in your skates)
- Good luck items
- Remember that no underwear is to be worn under costumes!
- Good street clothes – no ripped clothes or age inappropriate outfits, the judges watch you on the ice and off. Pajamas, swimsuit, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, etc.
- Blank video tape or tape cued to last competition
- Camera & accessories (charged camcorder batteries)
Take your good sportsmanship with you…
you never know who is sitting behind you.
AND MOST IMPORTANT – a positive attitude, good work ethic and a big smile!
LET’S HAVE FUN! That is what skating and your hard work is all about!