Choosing A Coach
When you are ready to advance beyond the group lesson environment, you will need to select a coach to give you private lessons on club ice sessions. The Figure Skating Club of the Quad Cities has many qualified coaches available for lessons. A current listing of coaches and their qualifications is posted on the club website, www.fscqc.org. Talk to other skaters (and parents) who have been skating a while to see what their experiences have been like, talk to coaches you have an interest in, and watch them working with their students.
Be aware that there is a limited amount of ice time at all rinks, and instructor's schedules will fill up. You may not be able to make arrangements with your first choice. You will deal directly with the coach, not the club or rink to set up lessons and pay fees. You will receive a separate bill from your coach for time spent with each skater. They also charge for time spent with the skater at test sessions and competitions, as well as travel expenses. Ice fees are paid to the rink, and are separate from coaching fees.
Your coach is a critical part in your skating experience. It is important to heed their advice. They will determine suggested practice times, and make suggestions regarding testing and competing.
Changing Coaches
The relationship between skater and coach is, of course, very important. Parents are usually a key additional component. Courtesy and communication are vital in this partnership, but when special situations arise and a coaching change is requested, USFSA offers the following guidelines regarding the proper and ethical sequence of behavior.
Inform the current professional: the skater or parent of the skater should discuss with the current professional the desire to discontinue the business relationship. Once the final bill is paid, lessons can begin with a new professional. The new professional must confirm with previous professional that the resolution of the relationship has taken place and that the final bill has been paid before giving any lessons to the skater.
Approach the potential new professional: the skater or parent of the skater should approach the new professional to set up lessons. The potential new coach should remind the skater or parent to discuss the situation with the current coach. The parent or skater must pay the final bill to the current coach before starting lessons with the new coach. The new coach should confirm with the previous coach that notification has been provided and that the final bill has been paid. The new coach and the parent or skater can then set up lessons.
The Figure Skating Club of the Quad Cities does not act as intermediary between pro and member. We urge each party to resolve the situation both privately and respectfully. In the event of any unresolved issue the FSCQC Board of Directors will provide advice and suggestions.
You are expected to respect all pros who teach on the ice and they in turn will respect and help to protect your rights as a member of the FSCQC.
All pros must be USFSA members with current liability insurance and SafeSport certification. The board recommends the pros follow the code of ethics as outlined by the Professional Skaters Association (PSA) and requires the same respect be given the FSCQC rules.
When you are ready to advance beyond the group lesson environment, you will need to select a coach to give you private lessons on club ice sessions. The Figure Skating Club of the Quad Cities has many qualified coaches available for lessons. A current listing of coaches and their qualifications is posted on the club website, www.fscqc.org. Talk to other skaters (and parents) who have been skating a while to see what their experiences have been like, talk to coaches you have an interest in, and watch them working with their students.
Be aware that there is a limited amount of ice time at all rinks, and instructor's schedules will fill up. You may not be able to make arrangements with your first choice. You will deal directly with the coach, not the club or rink to set up lessons and pay fees. You will receive a separate bill from your coach for time spent with each skater. They also charge for time spent with the skater at test sessions and competitions, as well as travel expenses. Ice fees are paid to the rink, and are separate from coaching fees.
Your coach is a critical part in your skating experience. It is important to heed their advice. They will determine suggested practice times, and make suggestions regarding testing and competing.
Changing Coaches
The relationship between skater and coach is, of course, very important. Parents are usually a key additional component. Courtesy and communication are vital in this partnership, but when special situations arise and a coaching change is requested, USFSA offers the following guidelines regarding the proper and ethical sequence of behavior.
Inform the current professional: the skater or parent of the skater should discuss with the current professional the desire to discontinue the business relationship. Once the final bill is paid, lessons can begin with a new professional. The new professional must confirm with previous professional that the resolution of the relationship has taken place and that the final bill has been paid before giving any lessons to the skater.
Approach the potential new professional: the skater or parent of the skater should approach the new professional to set up lessons. The potential new coach should remind the skater or parent to discuss the situation with the current coach. The parent or skater must pay the final bill to the current coach before starting lessons with the new coach. The new coach should confirm with the previous coach that notification has been provided and that the final bill has been paid. The new coach and the parent or skater can then set up lessons.
The Figure Skating Club of the Quad Cities does not act as intermediary between pro and member. We urge each party to resolve the situation both privately and respectfully. In the event of any unresolved issue the FSCQC Board of Directors will provide advice and suggestions.
You are expected to respect all pros who teach on the ice and they in turn will respect and help to protect your rights as a member of the FSCQC.
All pros must be USFSA members with current liability insurance and SafeSport certification. The board recommends the pros follow the code of ethics as outlined by the Professional Skaters Association (PSA) and requires the same respect be given the FSCQC rules.