MIF RATINGS GUIDE WRITTEN

RULES AND STANDARDS

 Focus points
o 1) Accuracy – correct start, steps, and adherence to pattern
o 2) Bilateral movement – ability to execute movements on both sides, cw and
ccw, forward and backward
o 3) Continuous flow – ability to maintain a consistent and undisturbed running
edge across the ice, flow doesn’t necessarily mean speed
o 4) Edge quality – initiated through proper boy alignment over the skating foot,
creating a stable arc that travels uninterrupted until required transition takes
place. Edge depth is the acuteness of the arc, created by body lean and angle of
the blade. Good edge quality = confident, sure, and controlled
o 5) Extension – general carriage with an extended body line, head angle follow
from line of the back, arms naturally extended, shoulders and back down, hands
follow line of movement, final extended position is controlled with max length all
body lines
o 6) Posture/carriage – proper alignment of the head, shoulders, arms, back, and
hips over the skates. Back straight, spine/head perpendicular to ice. Arms
extended, level and relaxed. Free leg straight line, slight turnout from free hip to
the free toe
o 7) Power – creation and maintenance of speed/flow effortlessly. Continuous
rise/fall skating knee with blade’s edge pressure against the ice equally on both
feet. End products of power are velocity/speed/pace, flow across the ice, and
acceleration
o 8) Quickness – foot speed. Precise, rapid, crisp execution of turns, change of
edge, and transition. NOT the pace. Quiet, fluid, continuous without disrupting
upper body carriage or rhythm
o 9) Turn Execution – proper skill/technique of how to perform the turn. Correct
entry/exit changes to be adequate for identification
o 10) Strength – creation and maintenance of balance and flow developed by a
continuous rise/fall of the skating knee together with blade pressure against the
ice. End products are good posture, flow across the ice, and consistent pace
 Pattern requirements/accurate turns
o pre-pre
 Forward perimeter stroking –
 2!! Focus - power and extension
 Passing – some shall/flats ok, sustained glide with extension, min
3 crossovers on the end, some good posture, balanced over free
foot
 Notes – both directions equal, no toe picks or stepovers.
 Basic consecutive edges
 Focus – edge quality
 Passing – 4-6 ½ circles equal, start edge near perpendicular to
axis, some good posture/body position
 Note – avoid toe pushing
 Fwd R and L foot spirals
 Focus – extension
 Passing – hold spiral 4 seconds, leg at least hip height, back
arched/good form, 2 feet balance then can switch, flat/shallow
edges ok, steadiness no lapses in balance
 Waltz eight
 Focus – edge quality
 Passing – control, waltz timing ¾, circle cut in thirds, control after
3 turns, larger circle, good axis
o preliminary
 Fwd and back crossovers
 Focus – power
 Passing – good posture/transition, increase power/correct blade
pushing NO toe pushes, strokes not steps, knee bend/rise
 Consecutive outside and inside spirals
 2!! Focus – extension and edge quality
 passing – controlled extension hip or more majority arc, control
after spiral and step on axis, nice form, weaker insight/slight
toe/short 2” 2 foot transition okay, check entire body
position/majority counts/no variation positions
 Fwd power 3 turns
 Focus – power
 Passing – correct edges, nice lobes, maintain axis, flow/power
throughout, weight shift push on transition and power BI edge
 Notes – 3 turn can be smaller than back crossover lobe
 Alternating fwd 3 turns
 Focus – edge
 Passing – pushoff perpendicular, equal lobes, controlled 3 turn
exits and transitions
 Notes – extra credit extended free leg, control after transition
 Fwd circle 8
 2!! Focus – edge and continuous flow
 Passing – round similar sized circles, proper use blade push off,
fwd push perpendicular long axis, no intro steps, body control
position changes, organized in repetition
 Notes – bend knees then push, arms/leg scissor close to body,
weight middle/back of blade, NO toe pushing, return to center,
scissor 2/3 mark
 Alt backward crossovers to back outside edges
 2!! Focus – power, extension
  Passing – good speed/posture/ice coverage, control during
extensions
 Notes – pattern does not cross rink center, extra credit larger
lobes with good curves
 Read test rules/procedures rulebook
o Intermediate – Senior - Adults 21+ passing 1 level below standard, 50+ 2 levels
below standard
o Adult bronze – gold – 50+ same level as 21+ 1 level below
o Except for prepre, info included – pass total, honors total, distinction total. If no
majority then 2nd highest awarded
o Adaptive – all elements can be reskated once, reskates after up to judge in
charge, coaches can assist
o Reskates – privately judges indicate, majority will go or judge in charge decides
o Prepre test expectations - learn fundamentals, no great deal of technical
ability/carriage/flow expected. Need to show knowledge of steps, fairly good
edges, and some good form. 1-3 bronze judges
o Pre test expectations – continue to learn fundamentals, knowledge steps, good
sense of power (speed and flow), attention to edge depth and proper curvature
of lobes. 3 bronze judges
 Test prep skater
o As above
 Testing rules and errors for re-skate
o No serious errors for re-skate aka fall, touch hand/free foot to save from falling,
and omission of element
o Mandatory errors = deduct 0.1, re-skate not required = >7 intro steps, not
starting from standing/stationary position
o No restrictions on use of lines/marks on ice
o If starting on wrong foot or skates wrong move, judge in charge calls the mistake
aka false start. 1 free fresh start is allowed without penalty, if 2nd fresh start is
wrong then deduct 0.1
o Expect – head upright/relaxed/natural, upper body upright/not stiff, graceful
arms, free leg extended/toe pointed
o Steps in accordance to diagrams/descriptions, freedom arms/legs
o MIF needs good edges, control, flow, extension, carriage, and rhythm with even
speed/flow and maximum utilization of the ice
o 1 reskate – element or part of element
 Placement/optional placements moves
o pre-pre
 Forward perimeter stroking – 4-8 strokes, full lap arena
 Basic consecutive edges – 4-6 lobes axis like hockey line
 Fwd R and L foot spirals – switch at red line, long axis
 Waltz eight – use large circles, 2 patterns on each foot
o preliminary
  Fwd and back crossovers – transition 1 foot, 4-6 CO/circle, swing roll to
change edge and open Mohawk, long axis okay
 Consecutive outside and inside spirals – optional crossovers at end, min 4
spirals down the ice
 Fwd power 3 turns – 3-6 sets each length, start either R or L okay, back
crossover at ends optional
 Alternating fwd 3 turns – outside then inside 2nd width, no #
 Fwd circle 8 – start RFO, then LFO then FRI/LFI circles = and 3x skaters
height
 Alt backward crossovers to back outside edges – 4-5 lobes, step edge ½
lobe, cross at 1/3 lobe, only ½ ice!!
 Intro step requirements
o Start standing/stationary, max 7 steps
 +3 to -3 scale
o Pre-pre, pre-bronze pass/retry, rest on the scale
o 0 = Passing average
 Define re-skate vs re-start
o Re-skate 1 element majority judges without major error (fall, hand down,
omission element) vs re-start if starting on wrong foot or skates wrong move 1
fresh start allowed

ETHICS/EDUCATION/SAFESPORT
 Read SafeSport handbook
o 2 deep leadership - requires at least one other person, preferably an Adult, be
present at all times with an Adult and a Minor when the interaction between the
Adult and Minor is not in public
o Meetings – with another adult, door unlocked, blinds/windows open unless an
emergency. Letter from parent if a medical professional
o Billeting - Minor Athlete living with a host, without a parent or permanent legal
guardian, in a location away from a Minor Athlete’s home, no coaches
o Save all communications 3 years with minors, CC guardian or adult
o Minors cannot join SM pages, adults cannot friend minors on SM
o Clubs need a signed Name and Likeness Consent and Release Agreement by the
Minor Athlete’s parent or permanent legal guardian before any distribution,
posting of photos, videos, images, etc
o Post locker room rules – coaches not allowed in locker room unless parent of
child <11 and absolutely needed and same sex
o Local travel – adult can only drive minor if immediate family member or legal
guardian or 2 deep leadership
o Overnight travel – 2 deep leadership, inviting parents, adult cannot share hotel
room with minor, connected rooms need a lock
o Team overnight – 2 deep, 13+ minors can share rooms 2-4/room, encourage
curfew, no ETOH/drugs
o Chaperone - <12 should have a parent/guardian or club will appoint a chaperone
who can share hotel with minor if parent/same gender/ 2-3 minors in
room/2+beds
o Coaches can’t massage minors even if licensed
o Everyone needs background check and complete safewport 45 days before role –
NCSI national center for safety initiatives
o Making in bad faith prohibited
o Good faith, whistleblowers protected
o 6 types of misconduct
 sexual – touching or nontouching sexual interaction that is
nonconsensual or forced, coerced or manipulated, or perpetrated in an
aggressive, harassing, exploitative, or threatening manner. Imbalance of
power can be included.
 Grooming – pushing boundaries of what’s acceptable, abuser
connects with vitims/family. 6 steps
o 1) target victim
o 2) gain trust
o 3) filling a need
o 4) isolating child
o 5) sexualizing relationship
o 6) maintaining control
 physical – sustain bodily harm or personal injury. Included giving
ETOH/drugs
 appropriate if 1) in public and 2) benefit for minor/participant
 emotional - pattern of deliberate, non-contact behavior that has the
potential to cause emotional or psychological harm
 bullying, threats and harassment – irrational persistent or repeated
pattern of committing or willfully tolerating physical and nonphysical
behaiors that are intended to cause fear humiliation or physical harm in
an attempt to socially exclude diminish or isolate another person
emotionally physically or sexually. Threat = intent to physically
injure/harm. Bullying = intentionally aggressive and persistent behavior
repeated over time
 mean = purposeful, rude maybe unintentional
 harassment - pattern of physical and/or non-physical behaviors
that (a) are intended to cause fear, humiliation or annoyance, (b)
offend or degrade, (c) create a hostile environment, or (d) reflect
discriminatory bias in an attempt to establish dominance,
superiority or power over an individual Athlete or Participant or
group. based on gender, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, sexual
orientation, gender expression, or mental or physical disability.
Ex: sexual
  hazing = intimidating, humiliating, offensive or physically harmful that is
typically an activity that serves as a condition for joining a group or being
socially accepted by a group’s members.
 willful toleration - willfully tolerate any misconduct where an Athlete or
Participant observes or otherwise knows of misconduct but takes no
action to report it on behalf of the affected Athlete or Participant
 Role for sport/rink/club/athletes/parents
o Report anonymously – uscenterforsafesport.org, or call anonymous
 How to handle situations with coaches/parents
o Talk to direct, 2 deep leadership meetings
 Standards of ethical behavior
o act professional, no verbal/mental/emotional/physical/sexual misconduct, no
false deceptive statements, no solicitation, drug free, no conflicts of interest
 Educational credits to maintain active rating
o 28 credits/3 years – max 16 from nonPSA event, min 12 PSA
 Benefits of PSA membership
o Joining the education organization for skating. Bimonthly magazine, educational
events, seminars/clinics/prep/etc, rating and accreditation opportunities,
courses/webinars/on demand, accelerating coaching partnership/foundations of
coaching programs, liability insurance, updates in the community through ARC
area representatives committee leaders
 What is SafeSport
o An organization created by congress to protect athletes and build a sport
community where participants can work and learn together in an atmosphere
free of emotional, physical, and sexual misconduct. Also provides a safe,
professional, and confidential place for individuals to report sexual abuse and
other inappropriate behavior
 Purpose of SafeSport
o providing education, resources and training to promote respect and prevent
abuse in sport.

SKATING ORDER OF MOVES

 Order pre-pre
o Forward perimeter stroking
o Basic consecutive edges
o Fwd R and L foot spirals
o Waltz eight
 Order preliminary
o Fwd and back crossovers
o Consecutive outside and inside spirals
o Fwd power 3 turns
o Alternating fwd 3 turns
 o Fwd circle 8
o Alt backward crossovers to back outside edges

DRAWING OF TURNS, STEPS, AND MOVES PATTERNS

 Draw 2 patterns
 Turns/steps for level
 Show direction, edges

MIF RATINGS GUIDE ORAL

GENERAL/STROKING
 Basic knowledge of exercises
o Off ice stroke, drag, lift off, chair balance, knee bend, lateral lunge, etc
 6 points of focus for moves in the field
o 1) power – generate and maintain enough power to sustain glide and complete
proper pattern
o 2) extension – effort to extend body lines and demonstrate control of body
position
o 3) edge quality – steadiness, min sub curves
o 4) continuous flow – maintain consistent and undisturbed running edge across
the ice
o 5) Posture/carriage – proper alignment of the head, shoulders, arms, back, and
hips over the skates. Back straight, spine/head perpendicular to ice. Arms
extended, level and relaxed. Free leg straight line, slight turnout from free hip to
the free toe
o 6) Turn Execution – proper skill/technique of how to perform the turn. Correct
entry/exit changes to be adequate for identification
 Axis
o Long (midline) – straight line that divides ice into 2 halves lengthwise
o Short (middle, red line) – divides ice into 2 halves horizontally
o Transverse (blue line) – imaginary line intersecting continuous axis of dance at
right angles
o Perimeter/Continuous – imaginary line around ice for dance/mif pattern aka 2
parallel lines long axis about ½ btwn long axis and sides of rink, connected by
semi-circle on the ends
o Diagonal – imaginary line lutz corners across the middle of the ice
 How is an edge created? How do you create an arc/lobe on the ice?
o initiated through proper body alignment over the skating foot. Arc/lobe created
by body lean and angle of the blade, nice t push not a toe push.
 Body weight when skating forwards, backwards, and during turns
 o Forwards middle-back blade, backwards more fwd ball of foot, 3turns ball of
foot, Mohawk fwd/backward same

TECHNIQUE, TURNS, AND PATTERN

 Walk through all moves/discuss steps
 Draw turns/patterns
o Mohawk – step fwd/back or back/fwd 1 foot to another in which the curve of the
exit edge continues the curve of the entry edge. Change of foot stays on the
same edge
o 3 turn – turn fwd/back or back/fwd from edge 1 character to edge of a different
character, edges before/after turn on the same lobe
 Common pattern errors, corrections, and exercises to help
o pre-pre
 Forward perimeter stroking
 Toe pushing – scooter pushes, push middle extend at toe aka toe
flick, off-ice or on ice stroke/drag, heel/toe/stomp drill
 Weak posture/poor extension – squeeze orange shoulderblades,
hold resistance band, glove on head/elbows/shoulders, extension
drills off ice lift/assisted
 Inability to use blade to stroke – as above
 Weak clockwise crossovers – practice more, double bend, 3
second hold, push and lower then cross
 Basic consecutive edges
 Slight toe pushing – wall/scooter push
 Not perpendicular to axis – think t, step twd short wall, toe
straight not diagonal
 Lack control 2nd ½ BO edge – scissor arms/feet close, look back,
hold on circle, 2 feet exercise to 1 foot to isolate
 Lack control BI edges – big circle, edges 1st then arms, smaller
lobes
 Can’t check upper body rotation – brick wall shoulder/hips, scissor
close, slight nudge
 Fwd R and L foot spirals
 Instability – 1 foot glides, off ice, fix foot/shoulder to side, airplane
arms, off ice raise/lower, core/back/hamstring
 Free leg too low
 Waltz eight
 No rhythym/timing – 6 count, turn 4
 Back edge too short – hold on circle, head look, arms
 Circle not in thirds – draw for skater, pie/pizza
 Struggle with 3 turn check, stepping forwards/edge control to
center, upper body rotation/position, holding edge after 3 turn
o preliminary
 Fwd and back crossovers
  Toe pushing
 Fwd weaker then back – swizzle pumps, more lean on coach
 Cw weaker than ccw
 Too much up and down – squat practice
 Poor power – powerskating 1 foot glide, scooter pushes
 Poor posture - bands
 Consecutive outside and inside spirals
 Not stepping on axis – think T like edges
 Back not arched – stretch, hold water, pull shoulders up, nose
parallel to ice
 Lack control after spiral – get to toe/heel, 2 foot transition, no
wide swing
 Spiral not held full arc – practice edges/spiral straight, 1 arm in
front to point
 Incorrect lobe shapes – do edges
 Fwd power 3 turns
 Not stepping on inside edge after 3 turn – exaggerate ankle
pressure, wait until blue line then step
 No power from BI edge – body lean, reach mini pull opp leg, bend
before push, inside to inside power shift bend then step DRILL
bend and straight reverse push across, push into 3 turn upper
body slightly rotated already
 Uneven timing – 5 pushes focus each gets more power
 Too noisy – sit back no toe scratching
 Lack control free leg/upper body – toe/heel, stand tall during
turns
 Bad posture
 Alternating fwd 3 turns
 3 turns early – turn top of mtn
 lack control after 3 turns and back to fwd so subcurves – hold as
long as possible drill, back to fwd step large circle, edge is step
and check, shoulder back, keep head looking back, lean into circle
slightly, stop head/shoulders then step next lobe
 incorrect blade placement – T steps like edges
 lobes too large – limit like edges
 bad flow – keep pushing, correct weight balance on blade, edge to
3 turn drill, wide step okay at first then get closer
 weak FI – do more
 Fwd circle 8
 Toe pushing
 Sub curves – practice edges
 Wide step pushes – step T push close
 Not stepping on axis – look at wall
 Lack awareness short/long axis – review with pt
  Unequal circle size – markers circle
 Alt backward crossovers to back outside edges
 Example correct/incorrect pushing techniques
o Incorrect toe push
o Correct middle to toe flick/point, 45 degree angle
 How to teach edges and stroking
o Stroking – push middle extend end, 45 degree angle, arms slightly below
shoulders, elbows not bent, head up, no bend at waist, knee/ankle bend
o Edges – scissor close arms/legs, lean into circle, ankle pressure, palms down, no
elbow bend, step perpendicular
 Importance of learning the basics, using keywords in lessons consistently
 How to relate moves in the field to free skate and dance
o Footwork, transitions, GOE scores

VIDEO ANALYSIS
 Most important to address
 How to address it quickly
 Exercises to help with corrections

STANDARDS AND TESTING – see above!

 Test preparation
 Placement/optional placements of each move
 Intro step requirements