Club Professionals (Coaches)

Revised: January 17, 2016

In order for a skater to be a member of the EPFSC (other than Junior Club), he/she must have a coach. Professional skating coaches are self-employed and are paid directly by the skater’s family. A list of approved home club EPFSC coaches (along with their resumes) can be found on the club website. In addition, a list of all home club and visiting coaches who have been approved by the EPFSC Board to instruct on EPFSC club ice is located in the rink monitor binder.

Selecting a Coach

Selecting a coach is perhaps the most important decision that you will make as this is a relationship that will hopefully last for many years. Therefore, it is important to take your time in selecting a coach for your child or yourself if you are an adult skater. Coaches vary in cost, style, skill, experience, teaching techniques, personality and interests. All of these factors should be considered before making a final selection. Talk with the coaches, other EPFSC parents or contact an EPFSC Board Member if you have questions about selecting a coach.

Professional’s Ethics (From the Professional Skaters Association PSA)

EPFSC has high standards for conduct and professionalism among the EPFSC coaching staff. These expectations are outlined in the Expectations of Professional Staff document. Professionals must annually review and sign this code of conduct with their annual USFS membership renewal.

Coaches are also bound under PSA ethics guidelines: http://www.skatepsa.com

EPFSC Professional Requirements

The EPFSC Board has guidelines for any professional who wishes to instruct on EPFSC Club Ice. The guidelines are as follows, and are set forth here in the event that you wish to bring a professional with you as you join the EPFSC:

Home Club Professionals

  1. Professionals need to have passed their 4th figure test or Novice freestyle test – OR – passed Intermediate freestyle level with several years existing experience coaching skaters.
  2. Provide proof of liability insurance.
  3. Must be a member of the PSA and USFS.
  4. Must have a USFS background check.
  5. Must be at least category B compliant with USFS continuing education requirements (CER).
  6. Professionals need to submit a resume to the EPFSC Board.
  7. Professionals need to sign and agree to abide by the club’s document: Expectations of EPFSC Professional Staff
  8. Professionals need to come to a board meeting before they begin teaching and be interviewed by the board (other Professionals can be present at this meeting), or a panel of a minimum of 3 appointed Board members (one of which must be an executive Board member) may interview the professional outside the Board setting.
  9. Professionals are encouraged to teach other classes the club offers such as Junior Club, Edges and Spins.
  10. Professionals need to be committed to keeping their students at EPFSC.
  11. Any coach that does NOT teach on club ice for the period of 1 year will have their name removed from the roster of EPFSC home club
  12. The EPFSC Board of Directors has final approval (based on the above requirements) for Professionals being able to instruct on club ice.

Visiting Professionals

  1. Professionals need to have passed their 4th figure test or Novice freestyle test – OR – passed Intermediate freestyle level with several years existing experience coaching skaters.
  2. Provide proof of liability insurance.
  3. Must be a member of the PSA and USFS.
  4. Must have a USFS background check.
  5. Must be at least category C compliant with USFS continuing education requirements (CER).
  6. Professionals need to submit a resume to the EPFSC Board.
  7. Professionals need to sign and agree to abide by the Expectations of Professional Staff document as well as follow the EPFSC On and Off Ice Rules.
  8. Professionals need to come to a board meeting before they begin teaching and be interviewed by the board (other Professionals can be present at this meeting), or a panel of a minimum of 3 appointed Board members (one of which must be an executive Board member) may interview the professional outside the Board setting.
  9. Professionals must be committed to keeping their EPFSC students at EPFSC.
  10. Any coach that does NOT teach on club ice for the period of 1 year will have their name removed from the roster of EPFSC visiting
  11. The EPFSC Board of Directors has final approval (based on the above requirements) for Professionals being able to instruct on club ice.

Benefits of an EPFSC Coaching Professional

  1. Included in rotations for teaching various classes the club offers,
  2. Priority usage of the harness (must be trained on the procedure)
  3. USFS membership paid by EPFSC (if EPFSC home club pro)
  4. USFS rule book provided by EPFSC (if EPFSC home club pro)

Changing Professionals

The following are points to follow from both parents’ and professionals’ point of view when a coach change is made.

Parents:

  1. Sit down with your current coach and explain the reasons for which a change is being made. This should be done on a professional and not personal level. It is not necessary for your current coach to approve a change, however it is mandatory that you speak with your current coach before actually making the change.
  2. Make the change to the new coach, and notify the membership board member so that the club files can be updated.
  3. After making the change, do not discuss the former coach in any negative manner. If asked about the change, present it to other parents/coaches/skaters in a positive manner. Encourage your skater to do the same.

Coaches:

  1. Before talking to parents about a potential change TO you, ask the parents to notify the current professional of their decision to change to you. Do not give trial lessons before this is done.
  2. Contact the other professional to make sure he/she knows about the change.
  3. Make sure that all bills are paid with the previous coach.
  4. Once you have begun coaching the new skater, avoid criticizing the methods taught by the previous coach. Be diplomatic in your approach, explaining that your methods are slightly different and you need changes in order to build in your direction.

The original coach of the skater should also refrain from any negative comments about either the skater, the skater’s parents or the new coach.