Summer Tip

Coach / Student Agreements or Contracts

Signed agreements between a coach and student/parent are very uncommon in the skating world.  It is more widely used by coaches of higher level skaters.  Some might wonder why a skating coach would want a parent and student to sign an agreement.  Well, you don't see gyms, dance studios personal trainers, massage parlors, and even utility companies, etc. not use some sort of agreement, do you?  So why wouldn't a coach have one?  An agreement is mainly there to protect the coach and student and to make sure the student and parent understand and agree to what is expected of them.

The agreement amongst other things usually covers student and parent information, skating history and level, need to know medical history, emergency contact, dresscode, policies and rules, ethics, payment methods, pricing, and the risk of the sport.  That way, everyone is clear on what is expected of them which leads to less confusion.

You should give it a try!  It just might save you a lot of stress and money.

Feel free to message me if you have any questions
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Skating Lessons Overpriced?

I took the liberty to break down the reason that skating lessons don't cost $10 per hour. A Junior Coach generally starts at $40 per hour and Olympic coaches and Choreographers may charge as much as $200 per hour or more. Attached you'll find information I put together for things to make more sense.

Summer 2012

Happy Summer!

Proper Dress for Beginner Skaters

So it's been a while since I have posted on the blog, but I just felt a need to write about this subject.  Every  day that I am on the ice during Public Skate, I see beginner skaters showing up in shorts or dresses and a short sleeve shirt.  Not only that.  When they put on skates, they tend to be way too large and the skates are either not laced up at all or very loose.  Now that is a recipe for disaster!

Here are some tips for first time and beginner skaters:

1. Wear warm pants like jeans or sweat pants.
2. Wear a long sleeved shirt and a jacket.
3. Bring along gloves.
4. Young children especially, should be wearing a helmet.
5. Wear thin and long socks (not tennis socks) to prevent blisters.
6. Make sure your skates fit properly (I recommend starting with figure skating skates).  Skates need to be snug!
7. Lacing up skates can be tricky.  It is important that your laces are even and not too short.  Start tightening your laces front he bottom of the boot, then cross the laces and use the first set of hooks.  Then you cross the laces again and hook the next set of hooks... keep going that way until you are at the very top!  Make sure the top of the boot is tied snug as well.  To finish up, tie your laces and double knot it for extra safety.  If your laces are too long you can tuck them under the tied laces.

What are Plyometrics?

Plyometrics is a type of exercise training designed to produce fast, powerful movements, and improve the functions of the nervous system, generally for the purpose of improving performance in sports. Plyometric movements, in which a muscle is loaded and then contracted in rapid sequence, use the strength, elasticity and innervation of muscle and surrounding tissues to jump higher, run faster, throw farther, or hit harder, depending on the desired training goal. Plyometrics is used to increase the speed or force of muscular contractions, often with the goal of increasing the height of a jump.

-Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plyometrics

What to wear inside your skates...

Do you ever wonder what the best thing is to wear in your skates?  Wonder no more!  Wear very thin tights or knee-highs.  Do NOT wear tennis socks, as they constrict your feet inside your skates and cause blisters to no end.  Some of you like to skate barefoot, and that is alright if you don't get blisters from it and don't mind stinky skates.

If you end  up with stinky skates, you can always get one of the expensive deodorizing sprays from athletic stores.  A cheaper option would be Lysol or perhaps you may even want to replace your insole!