The Forgotten Art of Coaching Etiquette


The Forgotten Art of Coaching Etiquette

Originally published Jan/Feb 2017 PS Magazine
“Perhaps one of your great writers could cover the guest coaching policies that many rinks employ in a future issue of the magazine? Read on: This afternoon I check in on the freestyle and noticed an adult in shoes on the ice that I don't know coaching two skaters that I have never seen before and then the coach proceeds to step into the scorekeeper’s box to play their music! I did not receive an email from anyone, including the coach, or that team inquiring about our guest coaching policies nor did the team pay for the freestyle before they stepped on the ice! The Supervisor on Duty hauled the coach into my office and I informed him of our policies, which is always uncomfortable. Am I missing something? Is there any rink anywhere that I could get away with doing that? Thank you.”


-David George, posted August 7, 2016, Facebook page of Professional Skaters Association

                             

Unfortunately, David George describes a scenario that I often hear about. Guest coaches who blow into a rink, overlook proper procedures or even good manners. To quote Martin Luther King, “Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”

All rinks should have a guest coach policy and in this modern day of the internet, there should be no excuse for a guest coach not to be proactive. Contact information for skating directors and arena management are at your fingertips. A quick internet search of “guest coaching policy figure skating” gave me 194 results. One link brought me to the guest coaching policy of the Broadmoor World Arena Ice Hall. The Ice Hall requires 30 day written request and requires PSA membership and a minimum of the Basic Accreditation rating exam. They require U.S. Figure Skating membership, CER Category A completion, and liability insurance. The St. Louis Skating Club requires the same and before taking the ice must check in with the ice monitor, sign a guest coach waiver form, and pay $10 fee per session. They are limited to 3 sessions per season before being required to join the club. The Flemington Ice Arena’s policy includes the following, “Our objective is to create a safe, productive environment for all of our skaters and guests. We realize that incidents will occur and will not tolerate less than courtesy and respect.” Perfect!



Guest Coaching Etiquette

1.      Call ahead – Call or email the director, visit the website. Know the requirements ahead of time.

2.      Carry your PSA membership card

3.      Carry your U.S. Figure Skating Coach Compliance Card. You can print it off the U.S. Figure Skating website Members Only page at the coach’s compliance tab.

4.      Check in when you arrive. Hand in your insurance certificate naming the arena as an additional insured. Ask about policies regarding the playing of music and harness use.

5.      If the there is a pro fee, pay it before teaching.

6.      Make sure that ice time is paid by your skater before to taking the ice

7.      Ensure that you and your skaters know the arena rules

8.      Be prompt in exiting the ice at the end of a session.

9.      Clean up after yourself - do not leave tissues, water bottles, or trash behind

10.  Be courteous and professional






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