Wing flap - This is usually done near the end of a program, especially if
you're slowing down. Coach Mishin will raise an arm (or both) and make an
impatient "move it" gesture. If this signal is spotted, it must be
responded to by holding your arms straight out on either side and
flapping them slightly for a brief moment, then skating frantically in
order to catch up to the music. First noticed during Alexei's '95 Europeans long program (hence its name) and has been spotted by various commentators ever since.
COMMON ERRORS: misinterpreting Coach Mishin's gesture and waving at him,
making rude gestures at coach; doing the chicken dance/Y.M.C.A./Macarena
The Toreador - This move requires the use of a red cape (preferrably one
that can double as a clown outfit). It is done by swirling the cape artfully over and
around your head, matador-style. Once this has been mastered, you might
want to move onto the more advanced (and quite possibly dangerous)
variations of this move, such as tossing the cape into the air and
snatching it back, pulling it through your legs, and putting it around
your waist (see "Gender-bender")---all done while skating. Definately not
for the inexperienced.
COMMON ERRORS: dropping/tripping/getting tangled up in cape; being chased
by a crazed bull
Hair toying - Usually done in the "Kiss 'n' Cry" area, while waiting for
your marks to appear. Nervously run fingers through your your hair,
preferrably middle-parted, while looking up at your marks. A lock of
hair should adorably fall back over your face, maintaining that "ruffled"
look. Crinkling your brow like a Sharpei dog over undeservedly low marks
is mandatory. [Also done backstage, with your shirt off, when you realize the
cameras of the world are upon you and you don't quite know what to do with
your hands. A good method of diverting attention from your white
suspenders. -- Sarah]
COMMON ERRORS: licking hand and fixing hair with it; using a comb hidden
in your ruffles; getting your coach to fix your hair for you; getting hand stuck
in hair because of petroleum-based products (a.k.a. "Dippity-Doo")
Water sipping - Also done in the "Kiss 'n' Cry" area, this particular move shows breeding and refinement. Casually take the bottle of water handed to you. Unscrew the cap and take a sip, looking at your marks the whole time. Let the contents of the
bottle sit in you mouth for a moment, as if savouring a fine wine, then
swallow (try not to choke or get water up your nose). Repeat if necessary.
A variation of this move is pouring the contents of the water bottle
carefully into a little plastic glass (see "Tea pouring" for notes) and
taking a small sip or two. If, by chance, when trying to open the bottle, you spill water in a potentially embarrassing spot, quickly wipe up spill with gloves.
COMMON ERRORS: getting a flower girl to open the bottle because the lid
is stuck (or because you're wearing gloves); "chugging", gargling or spitting;
throwing contents of bottle into the audience; dumping it on your coach's
head in wild celebration; mistaking Smirnoff's for Evian
Stuffed toy waving - This can also be done with bouquets of flowers.
Graciously take stuffed toy from the flower girl or fan (don't forget to
reward them with a sweet peck on the cheek), or, grab stuffed toy off the
ice by bending over straight from the waist and picking it up. Lift toy high
up over your head and wave it around, with an adorable grin on your face.
Guaranteed applause. Best done after reciving sensational marks.
COMMON ERRORS: not seeing toy and tripping over it; throwing back toy;
fighting flower girl/fan/other skater for stuffed toy; accidently
stepping on toy and shredding it to bits under your skates; using toy as
ammunition against biased judges or unflattering commentators; in the
case of flowers, hayfever; pricking oneself with rose thorns
Blind man's bluff (or Ur-man's bluff) - This move is a great show of
strength over adversity. You MUST be wearing be wearing a cape-like
clown outfit in order to do this most death-defying of moves correctly.
It is done by skating quickly around the ice, while making humourous
hand gestures at the audience. Cute facial expressions also required.
Just when you think you've got the audience's attention, you should get
a faceful of cape (this portion of the move is generally "white-out").
Quickly reach back and pull cape off face. Look suitably subdued or
embarassed, but keep skating anyways. Note that this move should not detract
from the overall presentation of the program. This move may also require hours of
blindly gliding across the ice and crashing into boards in order to get
it right.
Skate guard juggling - One of the few moves done in practice rather than in competition, this one improves your manual dexterity so you look good in those gloves. At the end of practice, retrieve your skate guards, taking one in one hand. Grasp it lightly by one end. Then, while skating forwards, gently toss it up, making sure to flick your wrist slightly so the skate guard twirls in the air. Proceed to catch in the same hand. (Remember: One hand, one skate guard--- You're not trying out for Ringling Bros.) Repeat until you reach the skater's entrance, then put the skate guards on as you leave the ice. Not recommended to be done during competition, because of the nervous tendency to juggle anything that may be at hand: stuffed toys, flowers, flower girls. [For further notes, see Advanced skate guard juggling.]
COMMON ERRORS: continuing to juggle one's skate guards off the ice (you'll dull your boot blades that way); fumbling the toss, dropping the skate guard; throwing too high, tossing too enthusiastically and poking someone's eye out; stealing other skaters' skate guards to practice with; baton twirling
