PRivate Lessons

You should have a long talk about your goals and expectations in figure skating. Working together, you should build a general plan for how you will achieve those goals.

Your coach will help you to establish an appropriate lesson and practice schedule. The coach will help you to balance the appropriate amount of lesson time with practice time.

A general guideline is that for every 15 minutes of lesson time, a skater should have at least 30 minutes of practice time to reinforce those lessons. Some skaters will need more, some will need less.

Usually, coaches give lessons of about 15, 20, or 30 minutes duration.

Your coach will help you to make decisions about testing and competing. They will prepare you appropriately for these events.

When you test, your coach will usually be present at your test session to help you warm up, and to provide support and/or guidance as you need it. Similarly, when you compete, you should expect that the coach will go to the competition with you to guide your warmup and provide any last-minute support you need (they usually call it “putting you on the ice”).

Expect to be billed for the coach’s time. Rates will vary according to the skill level of the coach. Expect a bill for time spent with you at a test session or competition. If the test/competition is not at your home rink, you should expect a fee for travel, and room/board if it is an overnight competition. All of this should be discussed with your coach.

When you are unable to attend a lesson, you must notify your coach in advance. Many coaches will charge you a regular lesson fee if you do not show without notice.

Your coach will expect your attention and your best effort. No coach expects every student to do everything right the first time, but they do expect you to TRY, every time.