How to Choose a Coach
Choosing the Best Coach for You or Your Child
There are many reasons to consider hiring a private coach: To excel at a faster pace than in group lessons, to supplement your group lessons with an occasional private one for more focused attention, to obtain assistance developing a difficult skill, to increase your commitment to skating, or to pursue a competitive path. Whatever the reason, this pages provides information for your consideration in choosing the best coach for you or your child from WFSC's professional staff.
Suggested Questions
Some of the questions the Club recommends asking prospective coaches include:
- What is your coaching philosophy?
- What do you believe are the responsibilities of a good skating coach?
- How long have you been coaching?
- What is your skating background?
- Do you specialize in coaching certain disciplines (e.g. singles, pairs, ice dancing, synchronized skating)?
- How do you stay current with the sport and the profession of coaching?
- How often do you meet with the parents of your students?
- How do you manage conflict with your students and/or your parents?
- Do you offer individual goal setting and annual development plans for your students?
- How much input may I have in how you coach my child?
- Do you recommend multiple [specialty] coaches for your students? If so, why?
- How many lessons per week do you recommend for my child, and why?
- 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?
Take Your Time
If selecting a coach for your child, keep in mind that even if your child only skates a few days a week, your skater’s coach will have a significant influence on his or her life. Therefore, it is important that you and your child be comfortable with the person you choose. Take as much time and talk to as many people as necessary until you are satisfied that you are making a good choice. If a coach is too busy or not interested in answering all of your questions now, they will be even less likely to have more time for you once hired.
Follow-Up!
As a follow up, after you have selected a coach and they have begun working with your family, you should observe some of their lessons with your child. It is important to make sure that the coach/skater relationship you have invested in is what you want it to be. If after observing a few sessions you have questions or concerns, set up a meeting with the coach. Never interrupt the lesson. A respectful and open dialogue will likely prevent problems down the road. If you have a situation that you feel warrants third-party attention, take it privately to the Club Board Members and allow them to handle it appropriately. .
Changing Coaches
Once you are working with a private coach, you may reach a point in which your coaching relationship may no longer be working out for whatever reason, and you may conclude that a change is necessary. Should this happen, please talk to your coach about your interest in making a change. They should understand your reasons and support you in your decision. You must of course make sure all your financial commitments have been met before making a change in coaches. If you believe the coach is unreasonable in their response or uncooperative with your decision, please let us know. WFSC Club coaches are independent contractors and not employees, but they are still expected to be reasonable professionals as a member of the Club’s staff. Please keep in mind too that there are always differences in understandings when there are differences in opinions and conclusions. Skating is a small community, and our Club is an even smaller community. We ask that you please address any issues directly with the parties involved, and avoid openly disparaging any of the Club’s professionals, whose business depends on their reputations.
Additional Resources