Las Vegas Review

Report on our Las Vegas Review
A Northeast Region Coaches and Judges Seminar

The overall theme

was a copy of the Las Vegas seminars--a common thread of instruction and technique in the American style from the beginning through elite in figures, dance (until you reach International events), and free style. This was also stressed in the judges' seminars.
On Monday, January 13, 2003 we started the day at 9:45 with coffee with Cherie.

Cherie Arsenault is an enthusiastic coach who has lots of innovative ideas to get kids and keep kids interested in skating classes. She made and handed out the fantastic manual "Skating Fun for Dummies" in the familiar yellow and black cover design you may have seen in your favorite book stores about other skills that people like us are trying to learn about.
Copies are available, contact Kathy Ferriera by email, don't phone unless you can spend an hour on the phone (warning, warning, people who know--have big phone bills!) Cherie spoke and motivated many coaches in the audience to participate and share ideas. She was a great "kick off" speaker, and got the day off to a great start.

The 1 hour figure coaching seminar

was given by Karyn Foley-Cormier. The tape taken at the Las Vegas seminars by Don Cormier was viewed on Skateland's giant video screen. It was a tape of the seminar given by Pat Jacques and Tony Berger entitled "Common Thread Basics Critical for Grass Roots to Elite Advancement". It is possible that we may be making copies that can be made available, again contact Kathy Ferriera. Karyn stopped the tape at various places to encourage discussion on the techniques employed by the coaches present regarding tracing, posture baseline, etc. It was good to share ideas in this way, and most agreed on procedures for proper tracing being square to the trace as opposed to square to the foot. We are all thankful to Karyn for helping us to share our ideas.

The 1 hour figure judging seminar

was given by Doris Walsh, Chairman of The Judges' Committee and member of the Artistic Technical Committee. The most important aspects of juding figures were discussed and it was also stressed that people should judge more often, that more skaters should get involved in judging or helping at meets. In order for our sport to have competitions, we must have the officials to run these competitions. The spirit of volunteerism was stressed at the Las Vegas seminars. We must all do our part to keep skating vital in our area. The time to participate is now.

The 1 hour lunch break

proved to be full of good food and good conversation. We have a great group of coaches and judges in our region who are willing to take the time to keep the sport rolling along. Other seminars are currently being planned and we hope to see more skaters and judges in attendance for the next ones. Join in, add a new dimension to your skating fun. Even if you don't want to judge, you can help at meets, or just listen to learn more about the sport you love.

The 1 hour dance coaching seminar

was given by Angie Lasher. Angie and Bob Labriola gave this seminar in Las Vegas entitled "American Dance Revisited". The forgotten basic fundamentals for team and solo dance. Angie Lasher, from Schnectady, N.Y. was spectacular as usual while going over many basic skills required to have good American dance skating technique. Her helper for demonstrating team dance was Kenny Wojtaszek.

The 1 hour solo and team dance judging seminar

was given by Doris Walsh. Doris talked about many topics related to judging dance. The basic techniques required to produce a correctly skated American dance were discussed, many flaws or misconceptions were discussed and that styles and interpretations are considered only after the most important content in dance is recognized: Timing, Execution, Pattern, Position (body baseline, etc.). These were discussed in detail. Also stressed was that the rule book is the bible, and personal interpretations or preferences regarding the rules are not allowed.

The 1 hour segment on International Dance basics

was presented by Jodie Viola. Jodie with her demonstrator, Melissa Porazzo, went over the basic fundamentals of forward and backward stroking, swings, and progressive runs, for solo and team. The correct posture baseline and positions of the body for solo and team were also discussed.
Jodie talked about her recent success with her local theater group and encouraged all in attendance to try this venue of interesting more people in roller skating and in joining skating classes.
Jodie also presented an idea she has for getting skaters to skate team dance and have more fun at the same time. It is a local pick-a-partner fun skate. For more details, contact Kathy Ferriera.

The 1 hour singles coaches seminar

was presented by Cherie Arsenault. Cherie did an excellent job of outlining the basic fundaments of free style as presented by Jim Pringle in his seminar in LV "Common Thread Basic Critical for Grass Roots to Elite Advancement" Kathy copied Jim's handout and made it available to all. Cherie, with her demonstrator, Ashley Cotrona, went over some methods of skating particular spins and jumps, discussing problems related to each.

The 1 hour singles judges seminar

was presented by Doris Walsh. Many aspects of judging free style were discussed.
Thirty two skating people were in attendance. We hope to make it a hundred next year. Please plan to come next January.

Organizers of this event

Doris Walsh organized the Judges Seminars, and Kathy Ferriera organized the Coaches Seminars.
Marc Pyche donated his rink.
The event has been organized by the Northeast Regional Coaches Association Representative, Kathy Ferriera and the Skateland coaches: Mary and George Pyche and Karyn Cormier.

Audio Tapes of the Las Vegas seminars
Tapes were made of various seminars in LV and they are $9.95 per tape. You can email for info to: lasvegasat@aol.com. (USARSO2) phone: 1-702-566-5575. Most of Doris's sessions were taped.

TEST CHANGES
The new test structure has been mailed out and has taken effect on January 1. Bob Labriola was active in suggesting some of the dance test changes. It looks pretty good. The Skaters March and Progessive Tango are at a slower tempo. Some tests have optional dances to choose from. The solo and team tests are the same with the exception of a few options. There is a "suggested" test level for participation in competition, and "they" feel that it will remain a suggestion and probably won't ever become mandatory. There is also the ever familiar conversion chart.

More pictures of the Skateland coaches' and judges' seminars follow here.

Home

The overall theme
	was a copy of the Las Vegas seminars--a common thread of instruction and technique in the American style from the beginning through elite in figures, dance (until you reach International events), and free style. This was also stressed in the judges' seminars.
On Monday, January 13, 2003 we started the day at 9:45 with coffee with Cherie.
	Cherie Arsenault is an enthusiastic coach who has lots of innovative ideas to get kids and keep kids interested in skating classes. She made and handed out the fantastic manual "Skating Fun for Dummies" in the familiar yellow and black cover design you may have seen in your favorite book stores about other skills that people like us are trying to learn about. Copies are available, contact Kathy Ferriera by email, don't phone unless you can spend an hour on the phone (warning, warning, people who know--have big phone bills!) Cherie spoke and motivated many coaches in the audience to participate and share ideas. She was a great "kick off" speaker, and got the day off to a great start.
The 1 hour figure coaching seminar
	was given by Karyn Foley-Cormier. The tape taken at the Las Vegas seminars by Don Cormier was viewed on Skateland's giant video screen. It was a tape of the seminar given by Pat Jacques and Tony Berger entitled "Common Thread Basics Critical for Grass Roots to Elite Advancement". It is possible that we may be making copies that can be made available, again contact Kathy Ferriera. Karyn stopped the tape at various places to encourage discussion on the techniques employed by the coaches present regarding tracing, posture baseline, etc. It was good to share ideas in this way, and most agreed on procedures for proper tracing being square to the trace as opposed to square to the foot. We are all thankful to Karyn for helping us to share our ideas.
The 1 hour figure judging seminar
	was given by Doris Walsh, Chairman of The Judges' Committee and member of the Artistic Technical Committee. The most important aspects of juding figures were discussed and it was also stressed that people should judge more often, that more skaters should get involved in judging or helping at meets. In order for our sport to have competitions, we must have the officials to run these competitions. The spirit of volunteerism was stressed at the Las Vegas seminars. We must all do our part to keep skating vital in our area. The time to participate is now.
The 1 hour lunch break
	proved to be full of good food and good conversation. We have a great group of coaches and judges in our region who are willing to take the time to keep the sport rolling along. Other seminars are currently being planned and we hope to see more skaters and judges in attendance for the next ones. Join in, add a new dimension to your skating fun. Even if you don't want to judge, you can help at meets, or just listen to learn more about the sport you love.
The 1 hour dance coaching seminar
	was given by Angie Lasher. Angie and Bob Labriola gave this seminar in Las Vegas entitled "American Dance Revisited". The forgotten basic fundamentals for team and solo dance. Angie Lasher, from Schnectady, N.Y. was spectacular as usual while going over many basic skills required to have good American dance skating technique. Her helper for demonstrating team dance was Kenny Wojtaszek.
The 1 hour solo and team dance judging seminar
	was given by Doris Walsh. Doris talked about many topics related to judging dance. The basic techniques required to produce a correctly skated American dance were discussed, many flaws or misconceptions were discussed and that styles and interpretations are considered only after the most important content in dance is recognized: Timing, Execution, Pattern, Position (body baseline, etc.). These were discussed in detail. Also stressed was that the rule book is the bible, and personal interpretations or preferences regarding the rules are not allowed.
The 1 hour segment on International Dance basics
	was presented by Jodie Viola. Jodie with her demonstrator, Melissa Porazzo, went over the basic fundamentals of forward and backward stroking, swings, and progressive runs, for solo and team. The correct posture baseline and positions of the body for solo and team were also discussed. Jodie talked about her recent success with her local theater group and encouraged all in attendance to try this venue of interesting more people in roller skating and in joining skating classes. Jodie also presented an idea she has for getting skaters to skate team dance and have more fun at the same time. It is a local pick-a-partner fun skate. For more details, contact Kathy Ferriera.
The 1 hour singles coaches seminar
	was presented by Cherie Arsenault. Cherie did an excellent job of outlining the basic fundaments of free style as presented by Jim Pringle in his seminar in LV "Common Thread Basic Critical for Grass Roots to Elite Advancement" Kathy copied Jim's handout and made it available to all. Cherie, with her demonstrator, Ashley Cotrona, went over some methods of skating particular spins and jumps, discussing problems related to each.
The 1 hour singles judges seminar
	was presented by Doris Walsh. Many aspects of judging free style were discussed. Thirty two skating people were in attendance. We hope to make it a hundred next year. Please plan to come next January.
Organizers of this event
	Doris Walsh organized the Judges Seminars, and Kathy Ferriera organized the Coaches Seminars. Marc Pyche donated his rink. The event has been organized by the Northeast Regional Coaches Association Representative, Kathy Ferriera and the Skateland coaches: Mary and George Pyche and Karyn Cormier.

Report on our Las Vegas Review A Northeast Region Coaches and Judges Seminar

Audio Tapes of the Las Vegas seminars

TEST CHANGES

More pictures of the Skateland coaches' and judges' seminars follow here.

Report on our Las Vegas Review
A Northeast Region Coaches and Judges Seminar