Dear Coaches and Team Managers:
Welcome to the 2011 National Theater on Ice Competitions. I know all of you have read all the guidelines but we want
to make sure that everyone does a last minute peak. Below is a last minute check list
™™ Coaches stand with ice referee during the competition where they enter the ice. If something is wrong on the
ice-inform the ice referee-they will have headsets and will be able to communicate to the event referee- don’t
wait until the competition is over to inform us. If you have an extra skater that is not taking the ice ( I am sure
you all laughing at this) and they are able to put a pair of skates on-please do so-just in case something falls
on the ice , they can easily get it without disturbing the team
™™ Scrunches and any other ornaments on the ice… please make sure all hair ornaments are secure (The music
will not stop and the referee will not blow the whistle, unless it jeopardizes the safety of the Team.
If we must stop the team, they then should continue immediately from the point of interruption as long as
the circumstances that caused the team to stop can be corrected without delay. If this is not possible, then
the Team will be given two (2) minutes to correct the equipment problem or in the case of an injured skater
replace with a registered alternate that is standing with the ice referee. If no alternate then skate without an
alternate.
PLEASE BE FAMILIAR WITH THE RULES OF RE-STARTING MUSIC—TEAM CAPTAIN
SHOULD KNOW IF SOMETHING IS WRONG.
™™ Please know-that if something falls on the ice - the whistle will not blow to stop the team - unless the event
referee can see it is going to be dangerous. – there are plenty of skaters on the ice- PLEASE LET THEM
KNOW TO PICK IT UP (You must think I am crazy saying this- but when I see skaters skate around
something and not pick it up- as a referee, I am wild with the coach for not training their skaters to do this.)
™™ MUSIC- Make sure that one has an extra CD on their person when the team Is competing-not back in the
dressing room or in your car. Also CE and FS have separate CD’s. Please list the time of the music.
™™ Be familiar with the costume rule. There will be deductions for any infringement of the rules and if any of
the ice referees see bobbie pins on any skater- the team will be able to take the ice, minus the skater(s) WITH
THE BOBBY PINS. We do not want to see feathers and sequins on the ice- again this is a liability – Feathers
are not allowed.
™™ Marks will not be read after a team competes- it takes too long and with the amount of teams competing we
do not have a spare moment- therefore it will be CLOSED MARKING.
™™ THE CLOCK IN THE COMPETITION ARENA IS OFFICIAL CLOCK, SO SET YOUR
WATCHES TO THAT CLOCK.
™™ Be familiar with the timing to warm up and when the stop watch starts.
™™ CE- warm-up 1 minute with a 30 second warning
™™ FS- warm-up- Teams have 2 minutes from the team is announced to set up any scenery and get in their
starting position. Skaters may use any or all of this two minute period to warm up. Announcements will be
made after 1 minute has elapsed and another when 30 seconds is remaining.
™™ Be familiar with the maximum time to exit the ice
™™ As much as we hate the word protest... they might take place… therefore be familiar with how to and when…
but most important don’t do it to Judy
™™ Please understand how ties are broken- not by alpha order of a team
™™ Only coaches, managers and skaters are to be in the dressing room area.
™™ Please encourage your teams to stay and watch and cheer for one another.
™™ No coaches on the ice during the medal ceremony.
™™ Please have all Team Members, Parents, Coaches shut off all walkie- talkies and put cell phones to vibrate
™™ The above notes are usually discussed at the coaches meeting- therefore since you have all of this in ADVANCE,
unless there is a question about the rules- we will not go over these, but discuss the direction of theater within
USFS
™™ We as Officials try to do our best for the teams, and we are constantly learning along with you the coaches
and the skaters.
Theatre on Ice is a total package, between coaches, teams, managers, parents and Officials.
As your Chief Referee, I am proud to be part of the National Theater on Ice Competition of Officials, as I believe we
work very hard to produce the best in the United States........ This year has been so special with United States hosting
the Nation’s Cup and then followed by the National Competition. This has been a huge undertaking, not only by
doing both schedules, but by the organizing committee. The organizers have made these two events their 40 hour a
week job…. therefore when you see any of them- please applaud their efforts.
And a special thank you to Donna Wunder- she is a wonder…….!
Good luck to all..... Judy and My crew