How you started in coaching

[kayskate]

I wanted to start this poll based on a discussion currently going on in the skaters' forum. I am curious how others got their start in coaching.

Myself, I was thrown in w my own classes from the beginning. Don't know how common this is. it worked for me. I'm still at it several yrs later.

Kay

[Clarice]

I started by teaching tot classes. I'm a Silver level adult skater, and was then, even though I'm a much more qualified coach now. My main qualifications to teach tot classes were that a) I'm an experienced mom (and now a grandma), and b) I'm a certified teacher. I had plenty enough skating experience to teach the beginning levels, but those two things really helped with things like classroom management and lesson planning.

[GoSveta]

I sort of want to get into coaching, but there doesn't seem to be much easily digestible material about it. I did spend about 3 days a while back doing some hardcore research, but gave up. Maybe next year, Lol.

[Isk8NYC]

I started teaching ISI groups back in the 1980's, with stints at a few different seasonal rinks. A friend "drafted" me into it because he knew they needed more teachers and I was available (in his opinion.) (He liked the benefits, like "free ice time.")

I felt very much unprepared (no prep or feedback) and wasn't sure if I was any good. I think that lack of knowledge bothered me more than it did the skating schools, lol. They just needed warm bodies. When the seasons ended, I didn't pursue the programs again the following year.

Back in the late 1990's my oldest DD had wanted a 10th birthday skating party at a local rink, so I called to ask for information. The brand-new skating director turned out to be a skating friend. She knew I had taught and she needed reliable instructors, so she asked me to join the staff.

She and her assistant (now director of TWO programs) guided me in coaching private students as well as group skaters. They had an open-door policy where you could just walk in and say "What's the test standard for (some element)?" without worrying about looking uninformed or amateurish. The director/asst. loaned out books, videos and provided instructors' manuals every year. They implemented a dress code, organized in-rink seminars and reviewed test standards annually.

On my own, I have attended many ISI and PSA seminars/conferences as well as the USFSA Basic Skills instructors' workshops to learn more about teaching and coaching. I study videos/books/web publications on figure skating and coaching techniques from other sports.

In NYC/NJ, PSA membership/ratings weren't really important to most rinks or skating directors. The USFSA's rules have forced more coaches into acquiring membership. When I was planning my relocation, I did some due diligence beforehand and found that I had to have passed the PSA BA exam to be on staff at most rinks in my area. So, I took care of that before I moved.

I think my major strengths are that I KNOW what's it's like to pay for your own skating and also how to juggle family budgets to keep skating affordable. As a project manager, I help them set goals and strategies that include skating throughout their lives.

[Skate@Delaware]

I started a few years ago, helping out with the tot classes. Then I started subbing for the kids that didn't show up to teach LTS. After that, I was asked if I wanted my own class, which I said yes. This was before any skill requirement was required of coaches/instructors. But I am also an Certified Occupational Therapy assistant so I'm more aware than some about kinesthetics and stuff like that.

Now, I only coach my husband and a few close friends (time constraints from college & lack of formal coaching training keeps from doing more).

[JazzySkate]

I started in '97 teaching tots after a pro, who saw me in local competitions, asked if I'd like to teach in his seasonal skating school. Back then I thought you had to be a Gold medalist in order to teach (I'm Adult Bronze/ISI FS3). Due to moving further away from that rink, I had to give it up, but taught at a closer rink a few years later as a sub (it was a municipal rink so house pros had preference). I'm presently teaching at an even much-closer rink.

Not to complain - but teaching Tots is the hardest and challenging. Their attention span is short. I've learned that drawing figures on the ice with washable markers, i.e. flowers, ice cream cones, train tracks, etc. gets them moving; also stuffed toys for them to throw and retrieve. Writing out a Lesson Plan before each class helps also.

Suggestion: grab and read/view as many skating books/CDs as you can, even if they're simplistic-they can be great references in helping you to teach whatever skill class is assigned to you. One must-have: "The Complete Book of Figure Skating" by Carole Schulman, past Exec. Dir., Professional Skaters Association.