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1 Welcome to Hayden Synchro! Below are some frequently asked questions and answers that will provide you with a better understanding of our Shooting Stars Developmental program and our organization. If you have any additional questions, we encourage you to ask. Shooting Stars FAQ Who are the Shooting Stars? skatewithus@haydensynchro.org The Shooting Stars are the Hayden Synchronized Skating Teams developmental program. There are three teams within this program: Mini-Shooting Stars (ages 7-10), Shooting Stars Preliminary (ages 8-12), and Shooting Stars Pre-Juvenile (ages 8-13). Check out the Developmental Teams webpage on haydensynchro.com for more information on the individual teams. Our developmental program will teach your skater the fundamentals of synchronized skating with an emphasis on basic skating skills. As an organization, our philosophy is that strong teams are made up of strong skaters. We provide skaters with not only the basics of synchronized skating, but with skating skills that will benefit them in all aspects of figure skating. Besides regular program practices, we also conduct Skills and Drills practices that teach skaters individual skating skills in a fun, team atmosphere. PRACTICES: Where and when are the practices for the Shooting Stars? The Hayden Synchro s home rink is the Hayden Recreation Centre, 10 Lincoln Street in Lexington, MA. We also regularly practice at the New England Sports Center, 121 Donald Lynch Blvd in Marlborough, MA and occasionally practice at other rinks depending on the time of year and the ice time available at our regular rinks. We are currently working on the practice schedule for next season and should have a draft schedule ready by the placement sessions held in the spring. This year, the Shooting Stars teams had one mandatory practice at the Hayden Recreation Centre per week and one Skills and Drills practice at the New England Sports Center per week. Skills and drills practices are not mandatory but they are recommended because of the extra instruction each skater will receive. Practices begin with Spring Training in May/June and our Regular season practices begin around the time when school resumes. For mandatory practices, we do understand that conflicts occasionally arise. If you anticipate missing a mandatory practice, please communicate with your team s team manager in advance. TEST LEVELS

2 (Copied from US Figure Skating: If you or your child recently started taking private lessons in figure skating you may have heard from your coach, or other skaters about the test structure, or been told to start working on moves in the field or prepreliminary or your first test. The test structure can be confusing to new skaters, but it is one of the most important parts of figure skating, and will soon become an integral part of your skating language! What is the test level and what does it matter? The test structure is often called the backbone of U.S. Figure Skating. Starting with the first test you take, through your entire career, it is the national standard that you are measured against. When you fill out applications for just about everything in figure skating, the first question will be What is the highest U.S. Figure Skating Test passed? U.S. Figure Skating tests are offered in the following tracks: 1. Moves in the Field 2. Free Skate 3. Pattern Dance or Solo Pattern Dance 4. Free Dance or Solo Free Dance 5. Pairs For more information look at: COACHES EXPECTATIONS: What do the coaches expect for skating levels/test levels/private coaches? The Basic Skills and Free Style classes and Moves-in-the-Field test levels for the Shooting Stars teams are given below. If you have any questions on the test levels please consult your private coach or ask your private coach to contact a Hayden Synchro coach. We are more than happy to discuss our teams with your private coaches and we encourage them to reach out if they have any questions. The Hayden Synchro coaches believe that strong teams are made up of strong individual skaters. We encourage all skaters to practice individual skills on a regular basis by taking private lessons and individual skating practice. It is a good rule of thumb that for every 30 minute lesson your skater takes, he or she should practice an additional 30 minutes on his or her own. Team Required Level Preferred Level Mini Shooting Stars n/a Pre Prelim Moves Shooting Stars - Prelim n/a Prelim Moves Shooting Stars - Prejuv n/a Pre Juv Moves Prelim Dance Pre Prelim Freeskate COMPETING OTHER DISCIPLINES:

3 Is it possible to compete other skating disciplines at the same time I am competing with the Shooting Stars? Yes! It is definitely possible to compete in other skating disciplines besides synchronized skating. Synchronized skating involves all aspects of figure skating: moves-in-the-field, freestyle, dance, and even lifts! If your skater wants to compete in any other discipline, we encourage it. The more competition experience a skater has the better competitor they will be when they get older. If you do want to compete in other disciplines, we ask that you discuss your competition schedule with your Shooting Stars coaches as soon as you can. DUES: What are the annual tuition for a Shooting Stars team? At Hayden Synchro, we try to make tuition as simple as possible. Each skater s tuition (paid monthly) covers ALL expenses associated with the team: travel, ice time, coaching, competition expenses, wardrobe, and even most meals and other expenses associated with the team. We try to avoid any add-ons during the season with exception of certain new skater wardrobe items. An initial deposit upon acceptance with a team is due in March and tuition installments are paid for 6-8 months completing before the competitive season ends. Our fees are comparable to other competitive synchronized skating organizations. You will receive a team-specific information packet at try-outs with more information. Note: Each skater must be a member of United States Figure Skating and the Hayden Recreation Centre. Membership with the Hayden Recreation Centre allows your skater to take advantage of inexpensive ice prices at Hayden Club ice. These costs are individual costs and are not included in team dues. VOLUNTEERS: How can I get involved with my skater s team? Hayden Synchro would not be where we are today without the incredible support and contributions from our volunteers. If you decide to join Hayden Syncho, we require all parents serve a minimum of 20 hours a year to help support your skater, team, and the organization. There are many different ways to get active in the sport and we encourage you to contact a Team Manager to find out ways to fulfill your hours. ALTERNATES:

4 How do the Shooting Stars teams handle alternates? The Shooting Stars Developmental Program is designed for your skater to learn the fundamentals of synchronized skating. One aspect of our program is learning the ability to compete. For all Shooting Stars teams, each skater will be guaranteed the opportunity to compete in at least one competition and as many exhibitions as possible. Alternates are an important part of the Shooting Stars Program. Learning the ability to skate more than one spot, sportsmanship, teamwork, and individual practice are all benefits of having alternates. In sports, injuries, illness, and other conflicts occasionally arise so it is important to have more skaters than just the minimum number that can compete. Therefore, each Shooting Stars team will have 2-4 alternate spots that rotate between the skaters. TRAVEL: Can I travel with my skater to competitions? One of the best parts of synchronized skating is the team aspect of the sport. At all times, we try to promote teamwork between the skaters and team bonding beyond the time skaters spend on ice with each other. For competitions that require travel, the Shooting Stars teams travel as a team with an appropriate number of chaperons and prepare for competition as a team. Parents typically travel individually and stay together at different hotels. For local competitions, skaters will carpool as a team. Team Managers will ask for volunteers to carpool a group of skater to and from the rinks. Skaters may not always be in a car with their parent and not all parents will be needed to drive. But, we do understand that individual families have different needs and we do our best to accommodate requests. TRYOUTS: Can I send a video of my skater instead of attending tryouts? No. Unfortunately, video is not an alternative to tryouts. It is not possible to accurately evaluate skaters or their ability to perform the skills required by our coaches on a video. It is important for each skater to be evaluated in the context of other potential team mates. Please contact us if you are unable to attend our scheduled tryouts to determine if there is another opportunity. Who attends tryouts? All skaters, whether on one of our other teams or not, who wish to be considered for a team attend our tryouts. Skaters from the current season who are not changing teams, do not attend tryouts. Our coaches use the input of outside

5 advisors including US Figure Skating judges to assist with placement choices as such all skaters are required to wear a number that we provide for easier identification in the tryout process. Can parents observe the tryouts? No. Tryouts are closed to all spectators to allow skaters to fully concentrate and perform at their best without the distraction of an audience. However, parents are welcome to watch all practices during the season. We hope the answers to these questions have provided you with some basic information about the Shooting Stars teams. Please feel free to contact us at the specific addresses for the Shooting Stars teams located on our website. We look forward to seeing you at our placements in spring!