Freestyle Rules and Private Coaching

General Rules

  1. The Golden Rule is always in effect!
  2. No food or drinks (except water) are allowed on the ice.
  3. Sitting on the boards is not allowed.

Skater Rules

  1. Freestyle sessions are for Figure skaters that have passed Basic 6/Adult 4 and above.
  2. Each skater must sign in and pay the freestyle fee before each session. Colored bracelets must be worn to indicate that you have paid.
  3. All skaters must be aware – follow the ice map to keep all skaters safe
  4. If a person is skating their program, they receive the first priority over the ice surface.
  5. If a person is in a lesson they receive second priority over the ice surface.
  6. Everyone has equal music privileges. Do not play your music repeatedly for long periods of time.
  7. If there is a need for a program monitor, each person’s name will be announced before the program is played. Please watch out for the person skating their program. If you don’t know whose tape/CD is being played, ask the Program Monitor.
  8. Good manners towards other skaters and coaches is an expectation. Learn-to-Skate coordinators and Customer Service Assistants may ask someone to leave the ice if their behavior is inappropriate.

Private Coaching

Qualified skaters may begin taking private lessons at any time. There is a list of qualified private coaches available at the Customer Service Office. The main reasons for taking private lessons are:

  1. To help skaters progress at a faster rate
  2. To receive the benefits from individualized instruction geared toward the skater’s learning style and personality
  3. If skaters think they would like to participate in freestyle testing or competitions
  4. To create a team involving the skater, coach, and parents
Choosing a Coach

Determine Your Needs and Wants

  • Does your skater want to be competitive/recreational?
  • Do they want to test?
  • Which group teachers work best with your child?

Compare Options

  • There is a private coaches list available at the Customer Service Office. Once you have narrowed down what you are looking for in a coach, you can check to see who meets your needs.

Some important questions you may want to ask a coach are:

  • What is your coaching philosophy?
  • What are your greatest coaching accomplishments?
  • Are you PSA (Professional Skaters Association) rated or ranked? For more information on PSA, visit www.skatepsa.com
  • What are your rates for lessons, competitions, cutting program music, etc.? How often do you bill for charges?When do you expect to be paid?
  • What is your policy if we have to cancel a planned lesson?
  • Are there any other policies that we should be aware of in advance?
  • Do you have a skater-coach contract? You should have a contract; examples are available through the Learn To Skate Office

Follow Up

  • After you have selected a coach, you should observe some of the lessons. It is important to make sure that the coach/skater relationship you have invested in is what you expected.
  • Take the time to communicate with the coach to help create a solid team bond between the three of you. A skater’s coach plays a large role in all of this, so take the time to find the coach that is right for your child.
  • A skater may bring an outside coach to freestyle session if they so choose. The coach must provide proof of insurance, sign in and pay before taking the ice.

The relationship between the coach and the skater/parents is just that – the UI Ice Arena does not involve itself in this relationship except to provide information on facility policies, procedures and available coaches and skating opportunities.

Rules

  1. All private coaches must submit coaching insurance to the ice arena before they will be allowed to teach private students at the University of Illinois.
  2. All coaches must sign the University of Illinois Coaching Ethics and Tenants of Professionalism (modeled after PSA) before they will be allowed to teach private students at the University of Illinois.
  3. Each coach must sign in and pay the coaching fee before each session.
  4. Private lessons may only be taught on designated Freestyle sessions.
  5. Coaches can request that a program be played (ahead of the line) once during each lesson.
  6. Private coaches should, to the best of their knowledge, charge a fair rate while taking into consideration their own qualifications. (See suggested pay rate sheet if you have questions).
  7. No group lessons during Freestyle sessions. (Groups are considered 2 or more people).
  8. Coaches must be aware of other skaters while teaching private lessons.

Be safe and have fun!