Michigan Basic Skills Series

Each year approximately 16 series competitions are offered. Each competition is a stand-alone event, and you can enter as many or as few competitons as your interest and your budget allows. Medals are awarded for all flights at all competitions. Additionally, skaters who compete in Series competitions (as listed above) accumulate points each season towards a season-long Series medal. There is no additional fee or "registration" required to become eligible for the Series medals, all skaters participating in any Series competition are eligible, based on performance.

Skaters interested in receiving Season awards should plan to enter as many competitions as possible, though there is no upper or lower limit on the number entered. For each Elements or CM event entered, and for each Freeskate event entered, the skater receives points towards their season total (note that "Beyond the Basics" events such as spins, dance, pairs, theater, showcase, synchro, adult events or CM/FS at PrePreliminary or Preliminary levels are not eligible for series points).

We try to limit all flights to a maximum of 6 skaters. Award points are awarded as follows: 1st place=6 points, 2nd place=5 points, 3rd place=4 points, and so on down to 6th place=1 point. If an event has 2-6 skaters, points are awarded as if there were 6 skaters in the group. If there is only one skater in the group, they will be awarded 3 points. If last-minute changes cause groups to become larger than 6 skaters, then all skaters following 6th place will receive 1 point. Skaters may receive bonus points for advancing in level during the course of the season. A separate points talley is kept for the Elements/CM events and for the FS events. At the end of the series, in the case of total points tied, all skaters tied for a place will be awarded a medal - no ties will be broken.

A very special Awards Ceremony is presented near the end of the final competition in the season (Midland). At this ceremony, season medalists (1,2,3) get the red-carpet treatment with medals and flowers presented on-ice, on podiums. Season medals are awarded in each discipline (CM/Elements and FS), at each eligible level (Snowplow and Basic 1-8, Limited Beginner, Beginner, NoTest)

Michigan has passed a Sports Concussion Law that went in to full effect June 30th, 2013. This law requires all coaches, employees, volunteers and other adults involved with a youth athletic activity to complete a concussion awareness on-line training program. The training takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. A certificate of taking the course will be provided. The Series requires each competition leader to take this training.

The law also requires the organizing entity, Michigan Basic Skills Series, to obtain a signed statement by each youth athlete and a parent/guardian that acknowledges receipt of educational materials on concussions and their consequences. Signed statements will be kept on file by Suzy Malloure, but may be submitted at any Series competition for filing.