Tricky Situation With Adult Skater - Page 2

jazzpants · #26 04-13-2009, 10:35 AM

Well, when I was a returning skater, I was a very beginner skater and an ice guard helped me to skate. I took to him helping me okay. But eventually he suggested that I go to LTS to take lessons and I did.

These days I really don't have the time to help skaters to skate. I have found that a few times that I was approached, I had a very good way of telling the kid that I'm training.

Often when I'm doing public sessions, my primary coach is there and he's yelling at his students to do stuff (well the speakers are kinda loud but he's LOUDER!!!

) So when I get approached, I nicely tell said kid "See that man over there with the big red jacket? That's my coach... and he's gonna yell at me like that if I don't keep practicing my jumps!!!" Gets them every time!!! (Actually, it's sorta the truth b/c primary coach has skated up to me a few times to tell me "Less talking, more skating!!!" Once stopped me from saying hello to an old friend too.

No, it's NOT during my lesson!!!)

I do enjoy my primary coach's company b/c he aspires me to skate but now I can say that he's also my blocker for those moments when I really have to practice!!!

Also, these days I don't get approached as of late b/c I haven't been at the Monday night session. (B/c lately I have been taking lessons on MUCH saner Monday lunch time sessions!!!)

RachelSk8er · #27 04-13-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Query

1. I had another reason for suggesting the SKATING COACH advertisement on the back of a jacket.

Many rinks ask coaches to wear a jacket distinctive to that rink - but new skaters don't realize that's what it is. Any of us who no longer stumble on every other step are sometimes asked by complete beginners if we are coaches.

2. For those who love teaching, there are many rinks that have volunteer programs where uncertified teachers can help. The one I volunteered with (Fort Dupont, DC http://fdia.org) is one of several in the DC/MD/VA that have such programs. Some of them (e.g., Cabin John, MD; Mount Vernon, VA) set up apprentice programs so the most promising volunteers can become real coaches at those rinks. Many provide training for the assistant instructors.

(Perhaps the O.P. could direct the helpful skater to such a program. Would get them out of the rink some of the time. But if they became a coach, they would still be competition.

)

Even for those of us not good enough to become real coaches, teaching is a lot of fun. You also learn to deal with various disabilities and behavior patterns, and adapt to different learning styles. It may help decide whether teaching is something you'd like to do.

BTW, I've never tried it but most hockey coaches are uncertified or minimally certified volunteers. Becoming a certified hockey coach involves less time and money then a figure skating coach. Very few hockey coaches get paid, but if you love to teach, you can.

Special Olympics/Adaptive LTS programs are also always in need of volunteers. I did this a few years ago and it was fun (but unfortunately it now infringes on the only time I am able to skate for myself). I usually worked with the more advanced kids, some of whom were about pre-pre/prelim free and learning prelim and pre-bronze dances. But some of the kids with greater disabilities need their own individual volunteer/instructor to hold them up, push them around in these stands that almost looked like giant exer-saucers, or just be around them at all times. All these volunteers really need are basic skating abilities and in some cases don't even really need to "teach" but just be there for the kids.

RoaringSkates · #28 04-14-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Query

1. I had another reason for suggesting the SKATING COACH advertisement on the back of a jacket.

Many rinks ask coaches to wear a jacket distinctive to that rink - but new skaters don't realize that's what it is. Any of us who no longer stumble on every other step are sometimes asked by complete beginners if we are coaches.

At one rink where I go for group lessons and a public session for my daughter, I know that many people there - including rink staff working the restaurant counter - think I'm on the staff. I can skate the basics, and I wear my "USFS" hoodie to the rink. Apparently, that's all it takes.

The fact that all the staff people are wearing bright red jackets that say "staff" on the back, and I'm wearing a black hoodie, does not seem to matter.

Skate@Delaware · #29 04-14-2009, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoaringSkates

At one rink where I go for group lessons and a public session for my daughter, I know that many people there - including rink staff working the restaurant counter - think I'm on the staff. I can skate the basics, and I wear my "USFS" hoodie to the rink. Apparently, that's all it takes.

The fact that all the staff people are wearing bright red jackets that say "staff" on the back, and I'm wearing a black hoodie, does not seem to matter.

Sometimes, all it takes is being a much better skater than everyone else!!!

kayskate · #30 04-15-2009, 10:11 AM

Just have to share a couple of experiences on this topic.

Before I turned pro, I helped ppl on the ice if they asked for it, but only for a few mins. At the time I was taking lessons. Often adult skaters helped each other even if we were taking from different coaches. I also helped kids I did not know.

Now that I am a coach, I am very careful. If anyone asks for help, I make a quick comment, very rarely more than a min or 2. If it seems appropriate (haven't seen the person w another coach or they say they don't have a coach) I give a card. In general, I try to avoid getting involved. if a person is not taking a lesson w me, I do not want to be responsible if the person gets hurt. Sorry if that sounds selfish. I carry insurance, which is req'd for my coaching. i never want anyone to get hurt, but it happens. I just don't want it to happen when I am not officially working.

Recently, I gave a single student a "group lesson". No one else showed up for the group, so she was alone. After I finished, another coach who had the same person for group lessons before, gave the student about 10 min of free instruction. I was furious. I had just worked w the student, who was in my class. Grp students tend to get passed from teacher to teacher throughout a season as scheduling demands. So this is probably a gray area. In any case, I was not sure what the rules are here, but I chose making a stink was not worth the trouble.

Kay

dbny · #31 04-15-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayskate

Recently, I gave a single student a "group lesson". No one else showed up for the group, so she was alone. After I finished, another coach who had the same person for group lessons before, gave the student about 10 min of free instruction. I was furious. I had just worked w the student, who was in my class. Grp students tend to get passed from teacher to teacher throughout a season as scheduling demands. So this is probably a gray area. In any case, I was not sure what the rules are here, but I chose making a stink was not worth the trouble.

Kay

I've been there too. Most of the time, it isn't worth the trouble, and long lasting ill feelings that can result too.

At my rink we teach a large groups of girls on Sun mornings, then they have half an hour of free time, during which we are allowed to give private lessons to those in the program. This program is in its third year, and a lot of the girls have been with it that long, so many of us know most of the girls. They always come over after class to ask for additional help, and I've had to start telling them I can't do more than a few minutes each, because then it would look like a private lesson. I wish some of the parents would up and pay already! Most of the girls are car pooled to the rink, so many of the parents are not there.

kayskate · #32 04-16-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbny

I've been there too. Most of the time, it isn't worth the trouble, and long lasting ill feelings that can result too.

My thoughts exactly on that particular situation. However, had someone pulled something similar on that coach, she would have made a scene to that would have been remembered for a long time.

Kay

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