You can compete at Snowplow Sam 1, Basic 1, or even Adult 1. If you ever dreamed of stroking out to the ice, wearing a beautiful costume, and skating to your favorite song, this video is for you. U.S. Figure Skating has the Compete USA program. These competitions are a dream come true for beginner skaters of any age
Compete USA competitions aim to promote a fun, introductory, competitive experience for beginner skaters. It's designed to promote a positive competition experience at the grassroots level.
There are no more than six competitors - max - in an event. Events incorporate skills from Learn to Skate USA and U.S. Figure Skating into a competition format.
Compete USA competitions are open to all beginner skaters. As long as you are registered as a Learn to Skate USA program member or are a current full member of U.S. Figure Skating.
The best way to find them is to talk to your coach or your rink skating director. Part of their job is to let you know about opportunities like competitions in your area. So, ask them. You can also check the events page on the U.S. Figure Skating website, learntoskateusa.com, bulletin boards at your rink, and club websites. You can also search for competitions on entryeeze.com, but more and more are not using EntryEeeze. They're using EMS exclusively for registrations. Therefore, it's always best to ask your coach or skating director.
Once you found a competition that you want to participate in, you will have to work with your coach to figure out your level, choose your music, schedule your lessons to learn the skills, and choreograph your program. Programs are what we call our routines.
If you don't already have a private lesson coach yet, you'll need one if you're looking to compete. When you register for a competition, the local organizing committee will require you to list your coach on the application. The competition will send your coach an email, asking your coach to confirm that you have registered for the correct events at your appropriate level. You must have a coach to compete. The club that hosts a competition must verify your coach is compliant with Learn to Skate USA or U.S. Figure Skating’s coach requirements.
In that case, they are in violation of U.S. Figure Skating’s Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct and are subject to disciplinary action.
Your coaches' guidance and expertise will help to make your competition experience the best it can be. Part of your coach's job is to determine what level is best for you to skate it. Their goal is to make sure that you are signed up for the appropriate level, based on your skill level by the close of entries.
Many skaters start their competitive journey with Snowplow Sam, Basic 1 through 6, Adult 1 through 6, or Learn to Skate USA Free Skate Levels. All Snowplow Sam and Basic 1 through 6 skaters must skate at the highest level they have passed or one level higher. You may not have passed any official U.S. Figure Skating tests, including Moves in the Field or individual dances.
Mastering skills means that you can perform an element correctly eight out of 10 times. Compete USA is a great way to add purpose to your skating and put what you've learned into a meaningful context of a program.
These deadlines are usually strict. So, make sure to meet all the deadlines.
Events schedules are typically posted online or sent to the competitors directly by the local organizing committee.
This is a simple program using a limited number of connecting steps, skated on half ice without music where the skater must demonstrate the required elements in the Compete USA manual.
Check in at the registration table. The registration desk will usually open one hour before the first event.
Remember that skaters are advised to be in the arena and prepared to skate at least one hour before their event in case the competition runs ahead of schedule. This does sometimes happen. You don't want to miss the event that you've worked so hard to prepare for.
Do your best and take each element one at a time. Your goal should be to skate your best performance, and not worry about what anyone else is doing.
If there's a fall, or a mistake, just leave it behind and move on. Most importantly, have fun and smile.
After your performance. Your coach will likely give you some brief feedback. No matter what, be proud of yourself and stay to cheer on the others in your group. You can learn a lot just by watching the other skaters.
After your event has concluded the accountant will tally the scores and the final standings will usually be posted on the wall over the starting order sheet.
No matter what the outcome always be a good sport. Congratulate the winner and the other skaters for their efforts. Keep your skates on since the award ceremony should follow shortly after the results are posted. There can only be one winner in each event, and everybody will have their good days. This is the nature of figure skating. So always be proud of your performance. Learn from each experience.
I remind my skaters that they're actually competing against themselves. And what matters is that they can do the best they can do on that day.
