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. A current listing of coaches, their qualifications and fees is posted on the club website. 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.
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. 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. In general, a coach may spend about 15 to 20 min. 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. 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. First, 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.
Next, approach the potential new professional: the skater or parent of the skater should approach the new professional to set up lessons. Again, this should take place only after the current professional has been informed of the desire to discontinue 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.
