PSA & MAster Coaches

[kisscid]

Please be patient with me. I am a newbie and still learning the skating ropes. What does the term PSA mean? I have also heard of coaches having "Master" ratings. Who rates them and where can I find this information. I am looking for a coach and I don't want just any joe-pro off the street. Lastly how reliable are the coaches ratings. When I was younger I only had 1 rink and 2 coaches to choose from. Now I live in a larger city, more rinks and coaches. I want to find one that will truely help me with my goals, and not just coaching to pay the rent. Any help or advice is SOOOOOOOOOOO welcome!
Cid

[kisscid]

Okay - Duh on me. I just realized that PSA was the Professional Skating Association. But any help on the other questions would be nice.
Cid

[Michigansk8er]

You can find out what you need on the PSA website:

http://www.skatepsa.com/homepage.html

[dbny]

It's actually "Professional Skaters Association". I don't know at what level you are skating, but you don't necessarily need a Master rated coach. Also, many coaches do not belong to the PSA, and many who do, do not get rated because then they have to earn a certain number of credits to keep the rating. When looking for a coach, I recommend watching the lessons of other adults at the rinks where you want to skate, and chatting with them about the coaches. Every coach is different in teaching style, technical knowledge, knowledge of test or competition requirements etc. Also, some coaches are not able to attend test sessions or competitions with their students. PSA status is not going to tell you any of that.

[backspin]

ITA w/ dbny. Also, to attend the seminars and take the exams to earn your ratings is very expensive, and since most rinks (at least in my area) do not require coaches to be rated, many coaches don't pursue it. I would look at someone's PSA status as only *one* criteria among many when choosing a coach--and frankly I wouldn't put it at the top of my list.

[Isk8NYC]

ITA with DBNY as well. Generally, skaters-turned-coaches who have tested/competed at very high levels enter the PSA earlier than others. That way, your ratings are based on your own achievements. Other coaches have to prove themselves through their students, which is a more accurate evaluation of teaching/coaching ability than just being a great skater. The time and cost of PSA elite statuses isn't really necessary until you've proven yourself as a high-level coach.

[edited to add: The PSA workshops are also available to non-PSA members for a slightly higher fee. Therefore, coaches who are not PSA members may be going to the same workshops, etc. as the registered members. You really have to ask the coaches about their background to know.]

I was a little put off by your comment about paying rent. Most professionals are teaching/coaching because they love the sport and want to contribute. It's nice that they can get paid for doing something they like -- isn't that the goal? However, when you look at the travel time, no-show lessons, and available ice time, they're not making a fortune. I remember having to pay a fee plus part of expenses for the coaches to attend distant competitions. They sacrificed lessons and incurred expenses to be at our competitions. The only coaches I know of that don't worry about paying the rent are either foolish, wealthy, or hobbyists. (Is that a word?)

It's great to have ambitions and goals. I can't see someone with that frame of thought choosing an uncaring loser of a coach. The intelligent thing for you to do is to skate freestyle/club sessions until you find the rink you like best. Then, check out the coaches and watch their lessons. See how they interact with adult students. Talk to students honestly. DOn't just ask "Is he/she good?" Ask relevant questions: "What are your goals? How has the coach been supportive of those goals?"

Set up a three-lesson trial with the coaches you're interested in. Be honest up front and say that you want to try different coaches. Once you've chosen one (or even two!) let all of them know what your choice is.

Don't worry about the PSA situation. An elite coach is expensive and not necessary for learning basic maneuvers. Save your money by choosing the right coach for you. Then, you can use your savings for skating clinics and extra lessons. For example, you've learned crossovers. Now, go to a power skating clinic and learn how to do them better!

Good luck!

[kisscid]

Thank you everyone for your in put. It has been extremely valuable.
I'm sorry ISK8NY if I upset you. Believe it or not I knew 1 coach that was coaching only because (in her words) she didn't have any other marketable skills so she was "stuck" coaching. I realize that almost ALL coaches are in it because of the love of the sport. Thanks again for all your valuable in-put!!
Cid

[skateflo]

"Pay the rent" is not unheard of - when adults were first making waves and looking for coaches in increasing number, they were told to not discount teaching adults because they were steady customers, always paid their bills because they truly wanted to be there. There are coaches that teach adults for just that reason. They don't necessarily like it, or push the adult to do better, set goals and encourage them to progress at a faster pace (raise the bar so to speak.) And there are coaches that just don't really know how to relate to adult skaters, especially ones truly learning as adults - they can only teach like they do the kids - and are resentful of the details adults ask for. But it pays the bills........

[Chico]

I agree, pick you coach by observing and talking to fellow skaters. Not every coach is for everybody. I would look for someone, this is me, who loves skating and coaching. Someone who likes working with adults, but pushes you like any other skater. Someone who is a well rounded coach. They teach the whole package of skating, and you too. Someone who is truthful. If it's bad, tell me! If it's good, tell me this too! A coach who wears skates. Many don't ya know. Lastly, look at who they coach. Coaches leave their mark, they teach what they know and who they are as a skater. That skater you love to watch, might have the coach you want to try.

Chico

[LittleBitSk8er]

Set up a three-lesson trial with the coaches you're interested in. Be honest up front and say that you want to try different coaches. Once you've chosen one (or even two!) let all of them know what your choice is.
I think this is the best advise for anyone! I wish someone would have posted that several years ago. :D I do understand KISCID, some coaches at local rinks here are preoccupied, while coaching. Letting sloppy coaching and sloppy skating take the precedent over clean skating and good coaching.