WORLD REFLECTIONS
Compulsory Dance
By Jodee Cohen
I’m not exactly sure how to put my thoughts and feelings about my attendance at the 2015 World Championships into words that will have the effect I am intending them to, but here is my attempt.
A little about my history:
I attended my first World Championships in 1988 as a skater and at that time the United States had occupied most the top spots on the podium in the dance event. I’m proud to say we were able to continue that and, in fact, go on to dominate most of the podium for the next decade. So first as a skater, and next, as part of a coaching team with John and Dee Dee Viola, choreographers, Billy Richardson and Scott Cohen, with nearly 20 different dance teams the US reigned.
Throughout those years, John and Dee Dee welcomed skaters and coaches into their home and rinks to help share their knowledge of dance basics and techniques to all; and there were many!
After a 13 year absence from worlds, I was thrilled to see these same coaches, who had been struggling to make a dent and sacrificing for so long, now standing at the forefront of their events! I had witnessed their struggles and admired the determination it took to climb from the bottom to the top.
Having only heard about the results of the world championships over the period of my absence, and having listened to other coaches and skaters talk about the current leaders, one would’ve thought magic wands were personally delivered to almost every country but ours. I couldn’t wait to see for myself what had occurred while I was raising a family!
Here is what I observed:
Thankfully
~The steps of the dances are STILL the same
~Aside from a few small changes, the patterns are as well
~Good footwork is STILL very important
~The strongest skaters STILL get the better results
(Whew, no magic wand needed so far!)
Disappointingly (but nothing new)
~There are too many liberties taken with timing with no reflection in the scoring
~Baselines are fairly obsolete
~Phrasing is ignored in regard to step one of a dance
~Rules are enforced or not depending upon political stature
Further Observations:
Those same countries that fought their way from the bottom or middle of the pack to the top, did it because they were hungry for it! They had a determination and a desire, which unfortunately came simultaneously with what was a very low point in our country’s artistic community. Because of their efforts, they moved past us….they got better!
Evolution:
Has the style and presentation of dance skating evolved? Yes! Like everything from knee high boots and polyester tuxedos, there is and will always be a natural progression or development; and in the case of compulsory dance, the “evolution” invites a more entertaining, energetic, and athletic aspect to international dance skating! Again…NO MAGIC WAND NEEDED!
Confusion:
Thinking the incorrect things some of these skaters are doing is the reason they are beating us, when in fact, most of the skaters who are doing better than us, IN MY OPINION, are doing better because they are the stronger skaters, so much stronger in fact, that they are beating us
IN SPITE of the following weaknesses:
~Poor posture baselines
~An inability (perhaps) to achieve an “effortless” appearance while tackling a difficult task
Remember what I wrote in the beginning under Thankfully:
~The steps of the dances are STILL the same
~Aside from a few small changes, the patterns are same
~Good footwork is STILL very important
And most importantly,
~The strongest skaters STILL get the better results
Currently, we are not the strongest skaters!
Opinion:
Ok, so here is where I’m probably going to offend some people, and for that I apologize.
They are NOT winning because they found a secret formula, they are winning right now because they are using the knowledge we (the U.S.) shared with them, coupled with their drive to be the best; both teachers and skaters alike.
Please don’t get me wrong, I am not discounting the wonderful qualities these countries have brought to the competition, and my respect for many of the coaches, as I stated before, is through the roof on a number of levels. But, in case anybody has found them selves fooled….
THE WHEEL WAS NOT REINVENTED! They just skated better!
Mistake:
Confusing those weaknesses with the “evolution” of style.
Entertaining, energetic and athletic does not give you a license to skate in a way that disturbs the sound basics of the dance!
There were some very good skaters at worlds displaying a wonderful balance of both solid basics and high energy; they managed to take some liberties without destroying the actually dance.
There were also skaters who did well, who were displaying some of those “weaker” qualities I.e.; shoving, over exaggerated pitching throughout the dance and unnecessary violent body movements.
Make no mistake, the winning skaters did BETTER because they were stronger, faster, and overall, had better footwork.
What I know to be true:
WE STILL POSSESS THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE TO CREATE THE BEST COMPULSORY DANCE SKATERS IN THE WORLD!
The U.S. is still historically the most successful country in the dance skating arena, and we still have access to some of those very coaches who propelled us to success! We need to utilize these people!!!!!!
Please do not mistake this for a personal agenda; my agenda is simply this;
GET THE U.S.A. BACK ON TOP!
There is absolutely no need to solicit help from any other place in the world!
Let’s pull together; let’s exemplify the very definition of “United!” Together, we can make these changes happen, divided, we will continue to receive the results we are getting now, or worse!
I am personally fired up and ready to start that climb back to the top!
As both a coach and former world champion, I cannot think of a better feeling than to be able to take part in and to watch this country take back the reigns!
I would like to do my part by saying our door is ALWAYS open! Coaches, skaters, judges please know we are easily accessible and eager to do our part! If you know a successful, experienced coach in your area, REACH OUT! The United States has developed dominant skaters in the past and we can do it once again!
