Why do so few skaters get level 4 on step sequences (except for spirals)?

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Thanks Daisies. I get the base values, but what I would like to know is what is it that makes Level 3 better than Level 2?

Joe

 

[jyshin]

Hi, Daisies!

Skaters nowadays seem to show more complicated stuffs in such a limited time, therefore getting faster and faster. I am wondering if the variation of the speed within the serpentine/circular steps, or even the spins would not factor at all in the technical marks.

 

[daisies]

Thanks Daisies. I get the base values, but what I would like to know is what is it that makes Level 3 better than Level 2?

Joe

If you go back and read my first post in this topic, it explains how you get from a level 1 to a level 2 to a level 3 to a level 4.

A level 3 sequence has three designated features; a level 4 has four.

 

[daisies]

Hi, Daisies!

Skaters nowadays seem to show more complicated stuffs in such a limited time, therefore getting faster and faster. I am wondering if the variation of the speed within the serpentine/circular steps, or even the spins would not factor at all in the technical marks.

Those things are factored in by the judges in their GOEs (as well as in components). The technical panel doesn't evaluate that.

 

[jyshin]

Thank you, Daisies!

 

[daisies]

I should clarify that a clear increase in speed is a difficult variation in a spin (except in the upright position) and would count as a feature for a level, so in that sense, the technical panel would evaluate it.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

If you go back and read my first post in this topic, it explains how you get from a level 1 to a level 2 to a level 3 to a level 4.

A level 3 sequence has three designated features; a level 4 has four.

Thanks Daisies. I went back and got the info.

One more question, please: Doesn't the Tech Assistant call the Level? and when is that factored into the scores?

For instance: Buttle got Level 4 for his footwork. Someone must have called that or do the judges pick up on he definitions of the different levels? Oh, I'm confused.

Joe

 

[daisies]

Thanks Daisies. I went back and got the info.

One more question, please: Doesn't the Tech Assistant call the Level? and when is that factored into the scores?

For instance: Buttle got Level 4 for his footwork. Someone must have called that or do the judges pick up on he definitions of the different levels? Oh, I'm confused.

Joe

The judge does not call the level but is told what the level is by the technical panel. The judge then grades the element (GOE).

Here are descriptions of what the technical controller and technical specialists do, from the USFS Web site:

Technical Controller
Qualifications:
For all qualifying competitions, must be a U.S. Figure Skating judge or referee of the rank of national or above (ISU or international) in the discipline in which he or she serves as a technical controller.
Must have the highest technical knowledge of the skating discipline in which he or she serves as technical controller.
Must be trained and certified to act as a technical controller by the ISU or by the Technical Panel Committee of U.S. Figure Skating.
Must be able to take directions and work well in a team environment.
Must be free from conflicts of interest or the appearances of a conflict of interest in the event in which he or she functions as technical controller.
f. Must adhere to the ethics policies established by the Technical Panel Committee in order to serve in a qualifying event.
Acts as chair and supervisor of the technical panel and ensures an orderly, clear, dignified and efficient communication among technical panel members.
Convenes a meeting of the technical panel prior to each event segment.
Supervises the calls of the technical specialists and the input of the names and correct levels of difficulty of the performed elements.
Corrects, if necessary, the calls of the technical specialist. If both technical specialists disagree with the proposed correction, the initial decision of the technical specialists shall stand. If the two technical specialists do not agree, the decision of the technical controller shall prevail.
Authorizes or corrects the deletion of elements.
Authorizes or corrects the identification of illegal elements, illegal movements in ice dancing and illegal holds in pairs skating.
Authorizes or corrects the identification of a fall.
Confirms or corrects the innovative element bonus.
Confirms the deletion of additional elements.
Verifies that the performed elements and levels of difficulty identified are correctly recorded (either in the computer system or manually) and authorizes them to go to the calculation program.

Technical specialist and assistant technical specialist
Qualifications:
For all qualifying competitions, must be a former national level competitive skater or a professional coach with national level competitors.
Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
Must be retired from active competition for at least two (2) years.
Must have the highest technical knowledge of the skating discipline in which he or she serves as technical specialist.
Must be trained and certified to act as a technical specialist by the ISU the ISU or by the Technical Panel Committee of U.S. Figure Skating.
Must be able to take directions and work well in a team environment.
Must be free from conflicts of interest or the appearances of a conflict of interest in the event in which he or she functions as a technical specialist.
Must adhere to the ethics policies established by the Technical Panel Committee in order to serve in a qualifying event.
Identifies and calls the performed elements.
Identifies and calls correct levels of difficulty of the performed elements.
Identifies illegal elements, illegal movements in ice dancing.
Identifies a fall.
Identifies the innovative element bonus.
Identifies and deletes extra or additional elements.
If serving as the assistant technical specialist, takes part in the decision making process in accordance with technical panel protocol.
Attends the meeting of the technical panel prior to each event segment.
Attends practice sessions, if possible, and is familiar with the skater(s)/teams programs in advance of the event.

 

[Buttercup]

For instance: Buttle got Level 4 for his footwork. Someone must have called that or do the judges pick up on he definitions of the different levels?

This is hypothetical, right? Or in relation to an older event? Because he only got level 3s at Worlds.

I like that one of the responsibilities of the technical specialist and assistant technical specialist is to identify a fall. I'd think that it would be fairly abvious to all concerned .

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Thanks again Daisies. It is indeed the Tech Panel calling the levels as I thought.

Joe