Characteristics of a Quality Coach

A quality coach makes skating fun by being:
  • Motivational
  • Positive
  • Encouraging
  • Enthusiastic
A quality coach prepares a child for testing and competing by being:
  • Sensible
  • Practical
  • Polite
  • Fair
  • Respectful
  • Calm
  • Experienced
A quality coach fosters a positive environment for training by being:
  • Knowledgeable
  • Professional
  • Educated
  • Organized
  • Punctual

KNOW YOUR CHILD

Think about the types of people who work well with your child and the ways in which he or she is best motivated.

  • Does the child have any favorite teachers? And if so, why is that teacher a favorite?
  • Are there certain adult family members with whom the child interacts particularly well?
  • Does he or she feel more comfortable with older or younger adults, males or females?
Not all athletes respond the same to all types of coaches. Some need disciplinarians, while others might respond better to coaches who are very reserved. Determining your child's unique predispositions will go a long way toward choosing a coach who is a good fit.

The discussion points listed below should be taken as a starting point for the conversation. They are, by no means, an exhaustive list of possible topics and not all topics will be applicable to all skating situations.

Initial Meeting or Interview

When a skater or parent decides to enlist the services of a coach there are several items that should be discussed to ensure that goals and expectations are clearly defined. This way the skater/parent can decide if a particular coach is right for them and the coach can determine if s/he can meet the needs of the family.
  • Coaching philosophy
  • How long have you been coaching? Are you a member of US Figureskating and the Professional Skaters Association?
  • What is your skating background? Do you specialize in coaching a particular discipline or level?
  • Fee rates for lessons, music, choreography, competitions, other services; payment schedules.
  • Amount of time the skater is expected to spend in lessons and practice both on and off the ice
  • Lesson scheduling, policy for missed lessons.
  • Expectations for behaviour and conduct of the skater
  • Equipment and skating attire.

Seasonal Meeting

At the beginning of each season, the coach, skater, and parents should have a meeting to assess the past season and set out a plan for the new year. This discussion ensures that the coach and the athlete are both working towards the same set of goals.
  • Assessment of the previous year.
  • Evaluate and reset short and long term goals
  • New programs, music, choreography, costumes
  • Off-ice training plan
  • Test and competition schedule
  • Balancing activities and school work
  • Equipment: skates, blades, weights, etc.
  • Set a schedule for brief meetings/progress reports through the year.

These guidelines are adapted from material available from U.S. Figure Skating and Skate Canada