You have taken the next step, past learn-to-skate and into more complex skating elements. You are standing at the threshold of a whole new world, the world of competitive figure skating - full of pageantry, artistry, grace and beauty. It is exciting ... and intimidating and a little scary if you don't know what to expect. But it doesn't have to be and we want you to have fun in your skating experiences.
So we will use this space to post the answers to common questions, give anecdotes and stories from the competitions & testing experiences of other skaters and their families. We'll also answer any questions you have and, to make it easier, you can click here to e-mail Q & A your questions. Soon, we will put up a blog for Questions & Answers, too and the best ones will be added to our list of FAQs. This page is for both skaters and their families (but, kids, you know you might have to help mom & dad - just a little).
With thanks to the USFS web site's Basic Skills page, here are 3 documents the skaters and parents of new competitive figure skaters should read -- they will answer the vast majority of your questions about expectations, preparing the young skater, competitions and what to expect (and what is expected of you). Here are some exerpts with links to the whole text:
Codes of Conduct give everyone a guide to what is expected of us if we are part of an organization, participating in a sport, or as spectators at our child's events.
Preamble: The essential elements of character-building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles: respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, trustworthiness and good citizenship. The highest potential of sports is achieved when competition reflects these 'six pillars of character' ...
Mental Prep for Figure Skating Skate Great and Have Fun at Competitions by Choeleen Loundagin begins: "There are many things you can do to make competitions a fun and rewarding experience. Using mental skills to bring out your best physical skills is one valuable method. The following key strategies can help you use the power of your mind to skate your best and enjoy competitions."
Susi Wehrli's "Preparing a Young Skater for Competition" is as much for the neophyte skating mom & dad as for your skater. Susi discusses such things as what the terms mean, what to do when you arrive at the competition, what to do before, during and after your performance and how to act and react, keeping in mind what is important to take with you from the experience.
Q: What is Freestyle Ice? 
A: Freestyle ice time is time set aside by the rink which is used by individual skaters to practice their elements. On these times, only figure skaters are on the ice. Often your coach will meet you on a freestyle ice session to give you a private or semi-private lesson. Frequently more advanced skaters will be on the freestyle ice. It is especially on these times that it is important to practice good "Ice Etiquette" - for your safety and the safety of those more experienced skaters, as well as simple courtesy and common sense. The Figure Skater's Web Site describes what this Ice Etiquette is, and safety aspects you may not have realized, very well - click here to take a look.
Q: I want to compete and try to win a medal. How do I do that? A: Count on your coach. Your coach is your guide, your cheerleader and your all-around best resource for knowing what needs to be done and how it should best be taken on. Tell your coach what your goals are and what you want to do and he or she will help you reach them, step-by-step, so that you don't take on a competition or a level before you are ready. You will need to spend many hours working and practicing to prepare for a competition and your coach will help you do the right things.
Q: How do I enter a competition? A: You enter competitions with the guidance and approval of your coach. Since you've told your coach your skating goals, he or she will know what competition you are ready for (and when) and at what level you should compete. There are many things your coach takes into consideration before taking the step to have you enter the competitive arena, and when the time is right, your coach will suggest a prospective competition and will tell you where to find the entry forms. We keep a short list here at EVENTS and SYNCHRO for Basic Skills and Synchro competitions, but the Figure Skater's Website, the US Figure Skating site and Greater Cleveland Council of Figure Skating Clubs (their links are on the LINKS page) are good resources too. Your coach and an officer of the CVFSC (your home club) along with you and your parent or guardian must all sign the entry forms - the coach, to certify that you are qualified (eligible) to enter the events selected; the CVFSC officer, to certify that you are a member in good standing with the club. And you and your parent, to agree that you understand that you will conduct yourself with integrity and sportsmanship, with consideration for the coaches, officials, other competitors (and other observers) of the sport and your conduct will reflect favorably on yourself, your club and home rink and on the sport of figure skating.
Q: How do I decide on music for my program? A: Not all music is best for skating, and not all kinds of music are permitted for competitions. Your coach will provide you with some suggestions for music that will be acceptable to the judges, to your experience level and that matches artistically with your personality. Especially in the early stages of your figure skating career, it is important to trust your coach in these areas, since it is usually never as simple as it seems and he or she has your best interests at heart and the experience to help you find music that will showcase you at your best.
Q: When do I need a choreographer? A: Perhaps a better question is, do you need a choreographer? A choreographer is a specialist whose fees for services are often 2 to 3 times that of your coach. Early in a skaters' career the elements, artistry and footwork are fundamental and do not require specialized services of the choreographer since every coach has some experience in choreography. In many cases, your coach can develop a wonderful program for you, and do it very quickly, because he or she knows your strengths and weaknesses ... your coach will know what elements to emphasize and which ones to minimize and may even show you other artistic movements to make your overall performance show you at your best.
As you master more advanced skating elements, choreographing your program and coaching your elements may become more than one coach can handle alone. When that happens, your coach will recommend that it is time to bring in that specialist, to develop more complex programs for you and to work alongside your coach to polish your performance. Remember that even the best choreographer cannot make you look like Evan Lysacek, Sasha Cohen or Michelle Kwan if your skating skills have not yet reached the level of theirs. Trust your coach to know when the time is right to take that next step.
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