I didn’t pass my juvenile moves test. My skating was reasonably true to the current state of my skills and I passed three of the six moves.
I was pretty nervous about the test and it took a lot of my physical and mental energy over the last week to prepare for it. I was especially nervous about the back power three-turn pattern. If I don’t get a good start on the second circle it can really fall apart, and I didn’t want the judges to watch that. Luckily I was able to skate both circles of that pattern without any automatic fails like putting my foot down.
They played soothing piano music during the test session. I was so absorbed in the test that I barely noticed it at the time, but I’m sure that it helped me subliminally. I’ll have to thank our skating director for the music: I’ve never been at a test session with music before.
On the eight-step mohawk I wasn’t able to do the outside mohawk on the first circle without “jumping” it loudly. I’ve had a whole lot of instruction on that mohawk and worked on it for both the Fourteenstep and these moves, so it’s frustrating that it’s still a problem. Coach Kim had warned me to “not make the whole test about that mohawk,” and I’m glad that I was able to leave it behind and concentrate on the rest of the test.
I got one above-passing mark, on the backward power circle. On that move I got positive comments from the judges on my carriage, acceleration, and power. Another good point was my cross-strokes, though one judge dinged me for not pushing as hard as I went along. I guess I will have another chance to improve that.
I’m glad I took the test and I’m relieved to have it done. I’m not sure how I feel about the amount of work it would take to bring it up to passing level: there are a lot of projects I could work on in my skating, and my learning curve is slower than I had hoped. I certainly learned a lot trying to get the test ready, and the deadline helped me get a lot done and learn more than I would have otherwise.
The timing was hard having the test just one week before I will be at Adult Nationals. I barely practiced my program at all in recent weeks. But I hope that will work out all right. I practiced my program on Friday and it seems about the same as before, with perhaps somewhat rusty twizzles.
Related Posts:
Six days to my Juvenile Moves test Final preparation for my juvenile moves test.
Fourteenstep– Retry! Testing the fourteenstep ice dance at the standard level. I got a re-try and a good idea of what to keep working on.
Adult Gold Moves Test My 're-try' gold moves test.
Gold Moves Test Morning Last minute corrections and practice for my gold moves test (and results).
{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
Good for you, Mary, going for the test! I’m sure it’s disappointing not to have passed all the elements, but you look like you held up well under pressure and didn’t let the nerves get to you. Thanks for sharing the video! And good luck at AN–will be thinking of you and those twizzles! Can’t wait to hear how it goes.
Jo recently posted..Expect the unexpected
Thanks Jo. I’m glad you will be thinking of the twizzles. I got the rust blown off of them during my practice today, I hope they stay good for AN. And thanks for watching the video.
Congrats on putting yourself out there, Mary. I know this wasn’t easy for you, so bravo for going out there and giving it your best. Good luck at AN – wish I could be there to cheer you on! And don’t worry about the Retry. You’ll get it next time!
Eva at Eva Bakes recently posted..30 minute one bowl super fudge brownies
As a skater you definitely know that it’s not easy to prepare for one of these tests, so thanks for that encouragement. I certainly hope I will be able to get these skills up to snuff and pass this test, I would be really happy with that.
It’s not easy to put yourself out there to be judged. I know you are disappointed in the result hope you can move past and continue on. You got this!
Deborah Brooks recently posted..Easy Muffin Pan Huevos Rancheros Meatless Monday
Thanks Deborah. I have put a lot of thought into the test since I took it. Making the video and blogging about it helped. At the moment it’s pretty easy to move on since I have events on Friday and Saturday!
Sorry you didn’t pass the test, but it sounds like you learned a lot from the experience. It must be so hard when you have to do everything right all at once. Hopefully things will come together next time.
Coco recently posted..2018 Cherry Blossom Race Recap
That’s true, Coco, it can be hard to keep your concentration through all the moves. Luckily I felt that I did this time. And you are right, I can hope to bring all the moves up to standard and put them out there correctly next time.
Kudos to you for signing up to get judged. It had to be hard to put yourself out there like that but I love that you had a good overall experience.
Kim G recently posted..Rite Aid Cleveland Half Marathon Training Recap – Week 3
Thanks Kim. It is mentally challenging to have the judges there writing notes about your skating but it does help me grow as a skater.
It’s amazing that when I watch skating it looks so flawless and easy, but after reading your posts, I realize how much precision goes into every move! I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t pass the test but you have such a positive attitude–I guess we always learn something new!
Thanks Wendy. Precision definitely describes skating. The skaters you watch on TV have spent their entire childhood training, that’s how they can make it look effortless. Working on these moves is definitely a learning process, that’s what keeps it challenging and engaging for me.
Sorry you don’t pass but what an experience! Good for you.
Thank you Anna. I definitely learned from the experience. Training, taking the test, and getting the judges’ feedback were all things that I learned from and that ought to help my skating going forward.
I’m sure it may have felt a little disappointing not to pass, but I think it’s SO awesome that you went for it and tried! I have not been skating in SO long but always loved it when I went.
Thanks Chrissy. A girl has to have goals, right? Skating might be an interesting cross-train for you. It uses the legs much differently than walking or running and is a great core workout. It helps a lot to have your own skates.
Putting yourself out there to be judged will only make you stronger, at least I’d believe it would. I have less than three weeks to learn a complex hip-hop dance, and all of us moms are surrounded by our daughters who are less than half our age and have a lot more experience, LOL. Thankfully, I won’t be judged (well, at least not on paper!). Keep on going for it!
Yes, that would be really challenging and I have empathy for how hard that would be. I have some hints for learning the choreography. Walk it through until you can do it in sequence. Play the music repeatedly and visualize yourself going through the steps. It’s good to play the music in your car and visualize yourself going through the routine, but only do that once you can do it without too much mental effort.
There’s no shame in not passing. Those tests are tough and the judges are unbending. I do like the soft piano music too!
Marcia recently posted..What is a Training Base and How Do I Build One?
Thanks Marcia, I know that but it’s good to hear. Maybe you can get the soft music for test sessions where you teach, too, it might help your skaters!
How amazing that you’re doing this! As with everything in life, take it one step at a time. I really like the acronym for “fail” — first attempt in learning. You’ll get this in no time!
Thanks Andrea. “First attempt in learning,” I like that. I didn’t come up with “retry” although I love the attitude it represents, that you will surely keep trying until you get it. The tests are actually recorded that way in US Figure Skating’s system. The judges have the choice of circling either “pass” or “retry” on their test sheets, and in my member record it will be noted that I took the test on that date and the result was “retry.”
Ah Mary that’s a bummer that you didn’t pass. I for one am very impressed though – it takes so much courage to put yourself out there. Thanks for inspiring us by going after your goals no matter what!
Renée recently posted..Week 14 – 2018: Still a challenge
Thanks Renée. I appreciate the sympathy and the encouragement. This is a driven community of women we are a part of who enjoy pursuing their goals.
The amount of technical skill that goes into figure skating is absolutely mind-boggling. I would be an absolute puddle on the ice to be under that kind of scrutiny (and skating judges are tough cookies).
You are so incredibly amazing – I really enjoy reading about your skating. I always love the end result (competition with great music and gorgeous costumes), but to see behind the scenes into the work it takes to get there… well, you inspire me quite regularly.
Jenn recently posted..weekly wrap: 4.1.2018 – 4.7.2018
Oh thanks Jenn! It makes me happy that you are enjoying and even being inspired by little Fit and Fed. I’m inspired by all the energy you put in to your life with your family and still find time for your running and fitness goals, too.
Three out of six ain’t bad sister! Sorry you were disappointed. I don’t know a thing about skating. I admire what you do!
Thanks for reading and commenting, Katie!
Kudos to you for taking the test. Pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zone is never easy. Way to go!
Kathryn recently posted..Loudoun Half Marathon Training Log – Week 6
Thank you Kathryn.
I’m sorry you didn’t get the result you were hoping for but I give you huge kudos for putting yourself out there! Definitely not an easy thing to do!
Michelle recently posted..Easing into half marathon training
Thanks Michelle! Not easy but like anything, it gets easier as you do it more often.
Mary: Glad you made the effort to test and no doubt you have valuable takeaways from the experience. Best of luck for the Adult Nats!
Thanks George! I skate tomorrow and Saturday!
I am sorry to hear you didn’t pass – but you got out there and gave it your best shot! I bet you will kick some serious butt at Nationals.
Rach recently posted..Boston Marathon Recap: #marathonmonsoon
Thanks Rach. I wouldn’t say I kicked butt at Nationals, but I’m happy with how I skated my program. I’ll post about it soon.