Following is a brief analysis of the programs skated at New England Regionals in the Juvenile Boys event. The purpose of the analysis is to determine which skills might be necessary to qualify (finish in the top 4) for sectionals.  We will break down the analysis into several functional categories: jumps, spins, step sequence, and component skills.  To learn more about the IJS system, please refer to our blog that covers the basics.

Jumps

There is great range in base value for jumps within the event (6.5-21.48).  The Juvenile level awards bonuses (1 point) for double axels and triple jumps.  3 skaters performed double axels and 1 skater performed a triple jump.  The average jump base value score for the top 4 finishers is 14.4 points.  With 5 jumping passes, and one needing to be an axel type jump it would be much easier to achieve this average if the required axel jump were a double (4.3 points including the bonus) which is 2.2 points more than a single axel (1.1) is worth at this level.  Every skater earned a negative grade of execution (GOE) score for jump performance. Therefore, a skater could stand out from the rest by improving jump performance quality.

Bottom Line: To earn a spot in the top 4, a skater could opt for a lower base value (with “easier” jumps) but benefit from a higher GOE.  14 points is very attainable and can be reached through many combinations of jumps and jump combinations – especially through use of the second half bonus.

Spins

Only the top 3 skaters performed 2 level 4 spins.  The 1^stplace finisher performed a level 4 flying combination spin (FCCoSp4) and level 4 flying sit spin (FSSp4) to earn a 6.5 base value and the 6^thplace finisher performed a CCoSp4 and a FSSp3 to earn a 6.1 base value.  Overall GOE for spin performances were positive in the entire event with the average GOE of the top 4 being .99.

Bottom Line: Overall, it seems likely that 2 level 4 spins or a CCoSP4 and FSSp3 are necessary to medal at the Juvenile boys level for regionals.  They should be performed with positive GOE.

Step Sequence

The Juvenile level requires all skaters to perform a choreographic step sequence (ChSt) with a base value of 2.  Most skaters earned strong GOEs for this skill (the highest being 2^ndand 3^rdplace with a 1.17 GOE).

Bottom Line: Overall, the ChSt appears to be a skill where most skaters are allowed to shine.  For added insight on the ChSt, please refer to discussion in our analysis of the Juvenile girls event at regionals.

Component Scores

Juvenile skaters are judged on 3 component scores: skating skills, performance, and interpretation of the music.  Skating skills are calculated with the highest factor of 3.75 (compared to 1.25 for the other 2 components).  This means skating skills are very important.  Component scores at the Juvenile boys level ranged from a high of 25+ (2^ndplace) to a low of 13.3 (9^thplace) and interestingly the lowest component for most skaters appears to be skating skills- the one that counts the most.

Bottom Line:

Since skating skills are worth the most and it appears to be the weakest component – it is logical to assume that someone with strong skating skills could really stand out. As we discussed in the Juvenile girls analysis – speed is a huge factor in the judges’ scoring for skating skills.

Final Thoughts:

The Juvenile boys event at regionals has lots of room for growth yet, with such a small pool of boys competing, should remain fairly diverse, and welcoming to a wide range of options to excel ranging from having high jump base value, high jump GOE, level 3 and 4 spins, a positive GOE ChSt and component scores somewhere in the high 3s. Though it appears unlikely that all of these factors are necessary.