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About Dianne DeLeeuw
Expertise
I can answer questions about figure skating, choreography, ISI or USFSA. Also questions about competing (my Olympic experience or your own competition). I`m a National referre for ISI. Recently I also have been appointed a National Technical Specialist for US Figure Skating. But remember I am not your substitute for a coach! They can see what you are doing! To correct or instruct you on manuevers is really not what I want to do.

Experience
Experience: World Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist, coaching all levels of skaters at in California. I coach all levels and ages of skating from tiny tots to adults, first timers to International competitors. I also do choreography, music editing, teach specialty classes and give seminars.

Organizations: USFSA, ISI, PSA, Los Angeles Figure Skating Club

Publications: Recreational Ice Skater, The Edge

Awards: 1976 Olympic Silver Medalist, 1975 World Champion, 1976 European Champion, 6 time National Champion, US and Canadian Double Gold Medalist, 1999 ISI Great Skate Award, 2002 Woman of the Year

You are here: Experts > Recreation/Outdoors > Figure Skating > Figure Skating > Compulsary/ Spin programs

Figure Skating - Compulsary/ Spin programs

Expert: Dianne DeLeeuw - 4/7/2009

Question
My daughter is ten and has been skating since she was 4 so we have definitely learned a lot through the years. But there is something that I don't understand and it seems that even USFS coaches don't even agree on. Her main coach put together a compulsory and a spin program for a competition held last weekend. She just had my daughter do the required elements with some connecting steps because she said the elements are all that are judged so there is no reason for anything else. Her other coach disagreed but was not in a position to do anything about it. The main coach could not be at the competition so the other coach went. All of the other girls in the events did very artistic programs. I know I may sound biased but my daughter was one of the strongest with the actual elements but took 5th in compulsory and 3rd in spins. Her coach that was there was so mad about the compulsories that she went to talk to the head referee who then directed her to the main judge. She just said that they don't give critiques on those events. Our coach said that she didn't want a critique, she just wanted to know what they were looking for in that event because obviously my daughter missed the boat somewhere. No answer was given. Now I don't know how much I should push the main coach to do things differently, or if that was even the problem. I know and understand how subjective figure skating is but it is just heartbreaking to see my daughter work so hard every day and do exactly what her coaches say and still struggle to break the top three. (She also placed 5th in her freeskate and the major difference seemed to be lack of artistry.) If you could offer any advice it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You,

Jennifer Klein

Answer
Hi,
Read the announcement for the event. These are made up events and each is judged diffeently. The referee will normally speak to a coach about what is required. Some events specify minimal connecting moves and others judge it like a Short program.
I don't know your level or skill, but at the lower events elements should be done clean, landings held, and a bit of style. More style may make you stand out. Events are long and judges need something to differentiate all the million toe loops!
Don't use placing as your criteria for success! Sometimes it is just the math.
Good luck!
Dianne

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