Can I be a coach?

If you are in the US, you may be able to teach learn to skate classes, for the littlest kids, once you pass a couple of moves tests. So it's possible you may be able to teach LTS now, depending on how badly local rinks need LTS teachers. You'll be teaching "march march glide" under the supervision of a more experience coach or skating school director. It'll give you the opportunity to learn how to coach, to get experience teaching. If you're interested and you're in the northern NJ-ish area, PM me.

Sam L said:

I'll say one thing. Usually, and this is found in many sports, those who are good at doing a sport don't usually make great coaches and vice versa. Coaching is a completely different skill to doing it because you need to be able to look at what someone's doing and give constructive feedback so that they can improve and they need to understand that people are different and that they learn in different ways. Elite athletes usually don't have that ability because they have done it and can only see from their perspective only.

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I know the OP didn't even ask specifically about this, but I feel like there's some confusion in this thread about needing to be an elite skater to coach at the elite level. You do, and you don't. When it comes to names that a typical skating fan thinks about, people who have medaled at international events, others are correct in that many of the greatest coaches do not actually fit in this category. Rather than competitive results, it is more important to have good knowledge, experience, and ability to impart that knowledge to students, with the right personality and teaching methodology. By this I mean, that it doesn't matter if you came in 3rd at Worlds or 20th. It doesn't matter if you won US nationals or came in 10th 3 years in a row. However, If you have zero experience competing at big competitions at all, it can be very difficult to break into coaching at the highest level, as a main coach. Think of all the 'well known' skaters - there are 10x as many as those who have skated at really high levels, competed at big competitions, and have a lot of respect and connections within the skating community, that most people have never heard of, who might have that rare overlap of being a good teacher and having skated at a high level. That kind of role is the only thing that some commenters are saying someone who started at 16 will have a hard time doing. There are plenty of other types of coaches in skating, both as a main developmental coach to beginner and intermediate students, or even as a specialist coach to more advanced students, that are open to the OP.

A little unrelated, but my favorite story of a coach who used his poor results as a skater to become a great coach is the Chinese pairs coach Yao Bin - http://skateguard1.blogspot.com/2017/09/yao-bin-blast-from-last.html . He came in absolutely last at Worlds as a competitor, where they showed up for the first time never having skated on a regulation size rink before, only to come back 20 years later as one of the best pairs coaches of all time.

Alex D said:

The forum in general, is more discouraging than encouraging in general, which is something I noticed multiple times in threads like these.
No matter if its about becoming a skater, coach or just random stuff, it is often seen as not doable and impossible, which is quite confusing if we consider that this a US based forum and I always thought that Americans believe in the free and that you can achieve everything if you just try hard enough.

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This forum is not "more discouraging than encouraging", it's realistic. I think realism is important. I think you do more damage when you say "yes of course you can do anything if you believe!" when it's actually no longer possible.

For example, telling some 15 year old beginner that of course they can make the Olympics if they just believe in themselves is, to my mind, completely cruel, because you're encouraging something you know CANNOT happen. WILL NOT happen. Telling that fifteen year old beginner that they will never make the Olympics but hey! here are all these other options in skating! isn't discouraging, it's actually more encouraging.

It really depends what you mean by coach. Could you teach Learn to Skate classes someday, or work with lower level skaters? Absolutely. And that is a wonderful and rewarding thing. Every type of coach plays a role- learn to skate coaches and assistants are very important.

That said, if you want to work with higher level skaters as a coach it is not very likely. For me, I want the coach I am working with to have experience with what it is I'm doing. Sure, not every coach was an Olympic champion- but most of them are still what I would call elite skaters. 10th in a GP is still someone doing triples and if that isn't elite I'm not sure what is. It's true that the best coaches often were not the 'best' because there are other skills that are just as important in teaching.

This is true in any sport- the coach of the Detroit Red Wings was a college hockey goalie in my hometown, he was never going to be a goalie in the NHL, but he became a coach in the NHL. So sure, he wasn't an elite hockey player- but it wasn't like he had never played hockey at a high level. (this is how you know I am from the Midwest, I use hockey as an example for everything...)

If your aim is to work with higher level athletes then your best bet is to look into areas like athletic training, sports medicine, and physical therapy. All of which are really rewarding and could incorporate your love of skating.

If you are in Canada you can find information about becoming a coach here: https://skatecanada.ca/skate-canada-coaches/#become
Canada has an extensive coach education and certification system. You will need a minimum skating background of passed skating tests to qualify to start. You will also need proof of valid first aid certification and a current police background check. You have to be registered as a coach (even as a beginner) to be covered by Skate Canada's liability insurance. Coaches without all this in place are not allowed on the ice in any club. Not sure about the how the USFSA works. Good luck! It's lots of work but it is worth it!

What about a municipal program? Like a city program. They require less experience. But if you keep figure skating you will gain the experience needed.
I could teach at an actual figure skating club but I find the municipal program works better for me scheduling wise bc I have a full time job.
Revisit this topic after you finish your schooling, maybe by then you'll have more figure skating on ice experience.

Curlygirly81, good point.

I work at a very large rink which is government owned. It has the first or second largest Learn to Skate program in the United States. As such, the classes are sometimes so big that they require assistant coaches along with the primary coaches. The rink hires skaters who have a minimum of at least the skills covered in the pre-freestyle level classes. The assistants only get paid just above minimum wage, but while the salary is low, doing it allows the assistant some free ice time, gives them money to help pay for their own lessons, and gives the assistants the one year of assistant teaching minimum experience requirement they need to be able to teach as actual Learn to Skate group lesson coaches. I am a lesson assistant there (and rink guard, and skate sharpener). I taught group lessons and was in charge of a lesson program 30 years ago, before I stopped skating for for many years, so one of my long-term goals is to get my basic skills to a good enough level to be able to teach LTS classes as a retirement job... I have at least a decade to reach the goal, so I'm sure I can accomplish it if I don't let rough practice weeks or injuries discourage me into quitting skating.

For the OP - currently most sports coaches are people who formerly did the sport. They often have zero education in child development, teaching, or psychology. There is HUGE room for growth this in this area as people become more aware that the major factor in children and teens quitting sports is a loss of enjoyment, which is often fueled by parent and coach lack of education on child development. The coaches often know the sport, but not how to teach or how to motivate. If you can spend some time in that area you might do really well coaching many children and teens!

Learn more here: http://changingthegameproject.com/about/

karne said:

This forum is not "more discouraging than encouraging", it's realistic. I think realism is important. I think you do more damage when you say "yes of course you can do anything if you believe!" when it's actually no longer possible.

For example, telling some 15 year old beginner that of course they can make the Olympics if they just believe in themselves is, to my mind, completely cruel, because you're encouraging something you know CANNOT happen. WILL NOT happen. Telling that fifteen year old beginner that they will never make the Olympics but hey! here are all these other options in skating! isn't discouraging, it's actually more encouraging.

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It's good to be realistic, yes, but the forum IS discouraging. For instance, I was basically told that my kiddo is highly unlikely to go to Nationals or compete internationally. He is 7. Multiple coaches have said "Olympics" about him. Now I know coaches might be blowing smoke up my butt, but this forum is really very depressing. No, a 15 yo beginner is very unlikely to go. But a 7 yo boy who appears to be gifted? He's actually got a pretty good shot at Nationals if he stays with the sport and practices enough.

ETA: I don't want to add a reply to this thread because I don't want to continue the conversation in a negative direction. I just want to say that I do NOT hate figure skating.

VegMom said:

For the OP - currently most sports coaches are people who formerly did the sport. They often have zero education in child development, teaching, or psychology. There is HUGE room for growth this in this area as people become more aware that the major factor in children and teens quitting sports is a loss of enjoyment, which is often fueled by parent and coach lack of education on child development. The coaches often know the sport, but not how to teach or how to motivate. If you can spend some time in that area you might do really well coaching many children and teens!

Learn more here: http://changingthegameproject.com/about/



It's good to be realistic, yes, but the forum IS discouraging. For instance, I was basically told that my kiddo is highly unlikely to go to Nationals or compete internationally. He is 7. Multiple coaches have said "Olympics" about him. Now I know coaches might be blowing smoke up my butt, but this forum is really very depressing. No, a 15 yo beginner is very unlikely to go. But a 7 yo boy who appears to be gifted? He's actually got a pretty good shot at Nationals if he stays with the sport and practices enough.

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If those coaches have sent kids to the olympics before, definitely listen to them instead of people on the forum. We've never seen him skate and all the info people had was that your child had just landed their axel. It's possible your son displays qualities that really set him apart that you didn't mention - but just statistically there are many more 7 year olds who've landed an axel than there are spots at nationals.

Sometimes realistic is discouraging. The best skater regularly on the sessions I skate at is 11 years old with 2 triples with great skating skills, who has coaches that have coached to the Olympics. The discouraging reality of skating is that it is also not a clear shot that she will be a factor on the international scene (she trains in but does not skate for USA). Another 12 year old is also starting to work on triples, and she didn't even make the qualifying at regionals in intermediate. There are OFTEN skaters who pop up saying they just landed all their singles, can I go to the Olympics? And there are NEVER skaters who are like, I just got my double axel and triple sal, can I go to the olympics? Ask yourself why... the great thing about the best skaters is they make things look easy - but if you are in the sport long enough you know it is not easy.

Ic3Rabbit said:

What?! Ravi was 1995 Canadian Mens Bronze Medalist, Rohene is a more a choreographer not exactly a coach(either way he's 2004 PR National Champ and competed in the US at Nationals for years before that).

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If you've qualified for US Nationals, I think we can call you an elite athlete. Whether you grant that status or not, I've seen video of Rohene Ward doing 2A in BOTH directions, so the man obviously has some skills.

VegMom said:

It's good to be realistic, yes, but the forum IS discouraging. For instance, I was basically told that my kiddo is highly unlikely to go to Nationals or compete internationally. He is 7. Multiple coaches have said "Olympics" about him. Now I know coaches might be blowing smoke up my butt, but this forum is really very depressing. No, a 15 yo beginner is very unlikely to go. But a 7 yo boy who appears to be gifted? He's actually got a pretty good shot at Nationals if he stays with the sport and practices enough.

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Uhm, where have you been told this? Are you talking about the "averages" topic?
Being told that there's no average definitely isn't telling that your particular kid can't compete. I've reread the whole topic again (I don't ever want to repeat the experience btw) and I don't find where you can have interpreted any comment this way.
It is "statistically talking" difficult to reach elite levels...in any fields. That's why it's elite.


But since I don't think OP was talking about becoming an elite coach, I think they're more than OK. Enthusiasm as a teacher/coach is definitely good, because it is contagious!!

TontoK said:

If you've qualified for US Nationals, I think we can call you an elite athlete. Whether you grant that status or not, I've seen video of Rohene Ward doing 2A in BOTH directions, so the man obviously has some skills.

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I never questioned Rohene's skills and was actually standing up for him here. So perhaps you've misunderstood.

VegMom said:

It's good to be realistic, yes, but the forum IS discouraging. For instance, I was basically told that my kiddo is highly unlikely to go to Nationals or compete internationally. He is 7. Multiple coaches have said "Olympics" about him. Now I know coaches might be blowing smoke up my butt, but this forum is really very depressing. No, a 15 yo beginner is very unlikely to go. But a 7 yo boy who appears to be gifted? He's actually got a pretty good shot at Nationals if he stays with the sport and practices enough.

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It is pretty unrealistic for a kid to get to Nationals/international/Olympic level when his mother is so very open about how much she hates the sport and how much she wishes he wasn't doing it, yes.

Let's not ruin this thread with stuff from other threads. This thread has a great topic, and demonstrates that the OP realizes that there are productive things to do with skating besides winning the Olympics.

Even if a coach is only teaching group lessons to child beginners, the experience that coach provides sometimes makes kids want to go further into skating, and on rare occasions, a skater who was a beginner kid in group lessons, grows up to be an elite skater.

Ic3Rabbit said:

I never questioned Rohene's skills and was actually standing up for him here. So perhaps you've misunderstood.

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Oh, no! I was intending to back you up. I agree with you on Rohene's qualifications to be a coach.

Sorry for misunderstanding.

VegMom said:

For the OP - currently most sports coaches are people who formerly did the sport. They often have zero education in child development, teaching, or psychology. There is HUGE room for growth this in this area as people become more aware that the major factor in children and teens quitting sports is a loss of enjoyment, which is often fueled by parent and coach lack of education on child development. The coaches often know the sport, but not how to teach or how to motivate. If you can spend some time in that area you might do really well coaching many children and teens!

Learn more here: http://changingthegameproject.com/about/



It's good to be realistic, yes, but the forum IS discouraging. For instance, I was basically told that my kiddo is highly unlikely to go to Nationals or compete internationally. He is 7. Multiple coaches have said "Olympics" about him. Now I know coaches might be blowing smoke up my butt, but this forum is really very depressing. No, a 15 yo beginner is very unlikely to go. But a 7 yo boy who appears to be gifted? He's actually got a pretty good shot at Nationals if he stays with the sport and practices enough.

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It depends what you mean by depressing. I don't think there is anything depressing about saying "You (or your child) probably won't go to the Olympics". Because statistically they probably won't. Think about all the elite skaters in just the USA. There are a lot of skaters landing double axels and triples who won't ever get an international assignment. A boy definitely has a better shot at Nationals due to numbers- but there are many kids who qualify for nationals at the juvenile or intermediate level and then fall off due to injury/lack of progress/growth spurts- all things you can't predict.

That isn't say don't encourage your kid to dream big. It's a parents job to encourage their child and believe in them. Not a bunch of random strangers on the internet who have followed the sport long enough to know the hard facts. Elite skaters come from somewhere, and maybe your child (or anyone asking this question) is naturally gifted. But again- asking a bunch of strangers to predict success isn't realistic. Whoever is asking the question "Can I do this?" needs to believe in themselves and have friends and family who support them. That isn't something you find in an internet forum. If anything our realism is meant to be positive- most people won't go to Nationals/Olympics/etc. but it doesn't mean they can't have a wonderful and rewarding experience with figure skating. That is what we really mean.