submit competition protocol

[iceskating21]

For freestyle test, skaters may test in traditional test sessions (including virtual), or submit a competition protocol from a sanctioned U.S. Figure Skating competition.

I wonder anyone has experience with submitting competition protocol? Generally competing requires much more than passing a test, which means some sort of different elements. Does it mean that a program for competition will always passing test? If so, why do people still make and practice an extra program for testing? As we know, it is common that skaters competed locally at a level before they took that test. Are the steps to submit a hassle? Just wonder.

 

[jellyhearts]

Does it mean that a program for competition will always passing test?

To use a competition result for test credit, the skater will need to meet the minimum scores (TES, PCS, TSS). I found USFS' Technical Notification 233 that listed the exact scores (updated Mar 2022), but you can often find the info copied on club websites.

I'm guessing some skaters would rather keep the stress of competing separate from testing.

The steps to submit should be outlined in the competition announcement published before the registration deadline, I've seen several things specified (affidavit, cover sheet, final event results sheet with full list of skaters, some fee depending on organizers), don't think it's too troublesome if you want the credit for your skate.

 

[mskater93]

For freestyle test, skaters may test in traditional test sessions (including virtual), or submit a competition protocol from a sanctioned U.S. Figure Skating competition.

I wonder anyone has experience with submitting competition protocol? Generally competing requires much more than passing a test, which means some sort of different elements. Does it mean that a program for competition will always passing test? If so, why do people still make and practice an extra program for testing? As we know, it is common that skaters competed locally at a level before they took that test. Are the steps to submit a hassle? Just wonder.

One of the things about protocol submission for test credit that makes it difficult is that you cannot "dash" an element. If you are just getting it out there for test credit, do what you can well and forget being super-competitive at a level unless the higher level skills are competition-consistent. For example, a friend passed her Gold FS test and chose to do a waltz jump (0.3) versus an Axel which is a sketchy element for her. With the rest of her technical elements, she had enough TES to pass. She had enough TES on a previous attempt, but "dashed" her Axel attempt which made the test a retry

 

[gkelly]

Generally competing requires much more than passing a test, which means some sort of different elements. Does it mean that a program for competition will always passing test? If so, why do people still make and practice an extra program for testing? As we know, it is common that skaters competed locally at a level before they took that test. Are the steps to submit a hassle? Just wonder.

In addition to what @jellyhearts and @mskater93 have said, also be aware that in the last few years the test requirements have been adjusted so that a clean program that fulfills the competition requirements will always fulfill the test requirements.

The minimum test requirements are generally lower than what is allowed in competition in well-balanced events.

It used to be that standard-track competitors would be attempting much more difficult content in their competition programs than was required on the test, so when they went to a test session they had to change the elements in their programs to meet the (easier) test requirements.

Allowing them to submit protocols from competition allowed them to use the competition version of the program and not have to change the elements.

It also gives some leeway in that including harder elements with higher base values allows the skater to make some mistakes and still earn the minimum score, whereas a test program with three serious errors on required elements at a test session would not pass (since only two can be reskated).

Harder elements with negative GOEs can still earn more points toward the minimum TES than the minimum requirements would.

But, as noted in the previous post, even elements with errors do have to earn some points on the protocol to submit for approval. If elements are asterisked/dashed out with no points, then that protocol will not be valid for protocol approval testing.

There is now a limit of no more than 2 falls in the program.

So there are advantages and disadvantages to each approach.

Some skaters "skate up" at several competitions hoping to earn the protocol approval without having to take an extra day and pay to show up at a test session and skate the program another time.

But if they don't get a protocol that both meets the minimum scores and also has no invalid elements at any of those competitions, they may have to go to a test session anyway. And water down any harder elements that are likely to have errors, since they don't have to worry about placements at a test session, just meeting the requirements.