Finding the Right Fit
Choosing a coach is a highly personal decision. To find the best match for you or your child, we are happy to put you in contact with the coaches in the area.
1. Do Your Research
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Read Coach Bios: Check out our staff bios to learn about their backgrounds and achievements. (Note: Coaches are independent contractors; the Club does not employ them or make official recommendations).
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Talk to Others: Ask other parents and skaters at the rink what they love about their coaches. Keep in mind that what works for one family might not work for yours.
2. Interview & Trial
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Meet In-Person: Narrow your choices down to a couple of coaches and reach out to check their availability. An in-person chat helps you see how they interact with your child.
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Book Trial Lessons: We highly recommend scheduling trial lessons with more than one coach before making a final commitment. Consider their personality, teaching style, and technical expertise.
Suggested Interview 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 are your greatest coaching accomplishments?
• What is your skating background?
• Do you specialize in coaching certain disciplines (e.g. singles, pairs, ice dancing, synchronized skating)?
• What levels have you passed?
• Did you skate competitively?
• Are you rated or ranked by the Professional Skaters Association (PSA)? If not, why?
• 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?
• Do you work individually or with other coaches?.
Navigating the Coaching Relationship
Observe & Communicate
Once lessons begin, feel free to watch from the stands. If you ever have questions or concerns, schedule a time to talk to the coach privately— avoid interrupting a live lesson.
Changing Coaches
If you ever feel a coaching relationship is no longer working, it's okay to make a change.
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Speak directly and respectfully with your current coach first.
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Ensure all financial commitments/balances are paid in full before moving to a new coach.
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Because the skating world is a small community, please handle transitions privately to respect everyone's professional reputation.
How to Support Your Skater
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Focus on effort: Praise your skater for their hard work rather than just talent.
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Practice often: Skating relies on muscle memory; bring them to the rink consistently.
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Stay involved: Attend off-ice conditioning to prevent injury, watch lessons when you can, and volunteer with the Club.
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Be patient: Remember, training a figure skater is a marathon, not a sprint!
📌 Important Note: Scheduling a private lesson does not guarantee or give priority access to a specific ice session. All ice time is governed by standard South Davis Recreation Center rules.