GBFSC Ice Rules &
Codes of Conduct

Creating a Safe, Respectful Ice Environment

The Great Bay Figure Skating Club is committed to providing a safe, positive, and respectful environment for all skaters, coaches, parents, and guests. The Ice Rules and Codes of Conduct outlined below are designed to ensure everyone can enjoy productive practice time while prioritizing safety, sportsmanship, and courtesy—both on and off the ice. All participants are expected to review and follow these guidelines at all times. By doing so, we help create an environment where skaters of all ages and levels can train, grow, and thrive together.

Understanding the Ice Map

Our ice map is designed to help skaters share the ice safely and efficiently during freestyle sessions. It illustrates the typical flow of traffic and highlights commonly used areas for spins, edge jumps, stand-still jumps, and lutz corners. While not every session will look exactly the same, following these general patterns helps reduce congestion, minimizes collisions, and supports productive practice for skaters of all levels. Skaters are expected to remain aware of their surroundings, skate with the flow, and adjust as needed based on who is practicing and where lessons are taking place.

GBFSC Ice Rules

It is the responsibility of all skaters, parents, and coaches to familiarize themselves with these rules to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all skaters.

Inappropriate behavior of any kind will not be tolerated. Offensive language or behavior on the ice will result in the skater being asked to leave by the proctor.
Sitting on the boards is prohibited.
The use of earbuds, headphones, and other listening devices that are worn in and on the ears is prohibited on the ice at all times.
The use of cell phones is prohibited on the ice with the exception of coaches using it for choreographic, video, or instructional purposes.
No more than 22 skaters will be allowed on freestyle ice excluding coaches. Priority will be given to GBFSC home club members that are scheduled to have a lesson with a coach followed by GBFSC home club members not scheduled for a lesson with a coach.
All skaters must check in with the proctor at the start of each session. Skaters who do not check in at the start may be subject to walk on rates.
Skaters and coaches are allowed to have drinks in unbreakable sealed containers at the boards.
Food (including chewing gum) is not permitted near the boards or on the ice.
Skaters must pick up all personal belongings and dispose of their empty bottles, tissues, and other trash at the end of each session.
Lingering and/or congregating by the boards will not be permitted. Skaters are expected to remain in motion on the ice and to avoid lingering in the corners.
Skaters doing their program shall wear a colored pinny. If a pair or trio of skaters are doing their program, all skaters should wear a colored pinny if possible. Skater wearing a pinny and whose program is being played has the right of way. Skaters/coaches should yield quickly and politely when necessary and exercise every precaution. Only the skater doing their program with music should be wearing the pinny.
Skaters should yield to skaters who, due to the nature of the move being performed (for example, a lift, a spin, or a backward spiral), have limited ability to quickly maneuver.
Skaters must keep moving unless receiving instruction from a coach. If a skater falls, they must get up immediately if able to do so. DO NOT sit on the ice. If you must stop - do so at the boards.
Skaters may not skate connected to each other unless they are working on a partnered ice dance or are in a lesson with a coach.
Only skaters, proctors, and coaches are allowed in the hockey box, music box, or at the door areas during club sessions. Skaters, if you must speak with your parents or a visitor during a session, please do so off the ice and away from the door.
All skaters and coaches must exit the ice immediately once the zamboni enters the ice.
In recognition of the need for all skaters to keep their focus on what is happening on the ice and to be consistent with U.S. Figure Skating’s guidelines for parents. Parents may not offer instruction to a skater from the boards, the bleachers, or any other location. For the purposes of this rule, “instruction” includes providing feedback on the execution of elements, providing direction on training activities, and providing any other guidance about what the skater is doing on the ice. If a parent needs to speak with their skater, the skater must leave the ice to do so.

Great Bay Figure Skating CLUB Code of Conduct

A code of conduct is a set of standards describing the behavior we expect of our own members especially when serving in different capacities within the organization – skater, parent, coach, official, or board member. It is meant to clarify our mission, values and principles, and linking them with standards of conduct we expect from our members.

U.S. Figure Skating encourages all member clubs and programs to develop and implement codes of conduct for its members.

Violations and the manner in which they will be dealt with:

Violations of any tenets will be addressed at the time they occur by a member of the club board of directors following the procedures outlined in the conflict resolution process.

First offense:

Club member will be addressed verbally (in private with two deep leadership) regarding the violation.

Second offense:

If there is a second violation, the member will be removed from the activity and given a written warning. A face-to-face meeting with the member and/or member’s parent or legal guardian may be in order.

Repeated offenses:

If the member continually violates any tenet of the code of conduct, repeat offenses will be taken very seriously by the club board of directors. Discipline may include loss of club privileges for extended periods, and/or revocation of club membership.

GBFSC SKATER Code of Conduct

As a member of our club, all skaters must adhere to this Code of Conduct at all times.

General Guidelines:

Great Bay Figure Skating Club is committed to creating a safe and positive environment for members’ physical, emotional and social development and ensuring that it promotes an environment free of misconduct. This Skater Code of Conduct has been established to ensure the safety of all members using our ice to ensure quality practice time for all home club, associate, non-members and guests who purchase ice from the club and who participate in all club-related activities.

All skaters, regardless of whether they hold home club, associate, non-member or guest status, must follow and uphold the provisions in this Skater Code of Conduct regarding behavior on and off the ice. All club members are expected to exhibit good sportsmanship and be courteous toward their fellow skaters, coaches, parents/guardians of skaters, U.S. Figure Skating officials and guests.
Great Bay Figure Skating Club is committed to promoting a positive and friendly environment for all skaters. Remember ‘The Golden Rule’ — treat other people like you want to be treated — with respect.

Ice Etiquette and Safety:

While in a lesson or practice, it is the skater's responsibility to always be conscientious and aware of other skaters around them.
Skaters must skate with the flow of other skaters and familiarize themselves with the most commonly used areas for jumps and spins.
The only time a skater has the SOLE right of way is when they are skating their program to music. When you hear another member's music, please extend that person the courtesy and move out of their path momentarily. This only takes a moment, and you will enjoy the same courtesy while you are performing your program.
Advanced skaters are expected to exhibit patience toward beginner members of the club. Remember, you were an inexperienced skater once, and it takes time for our future generation to advance to the point where they are completely comfortable skating with all levels of skaters.

Unsafe or Discourteous Behavior:

Unsafe or discourteous behavior of any kind will not be tolerated.

Great Bay Figure Skating Club PARENT/GUARDIAN Code of Conduct

By signing below I hereby agree that:

I will encourage good sportsmanship by my actions, demonstrating positive support for all skaters, coaches, and officials at every practice, competition, and test session.
I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my child and others ahead of my desire to win.
I will encourage my child to skate in a safe and healthy environment by maintaining a respectful and courteous attitude towards others.
I will promptly inform my child’s coach of any physical/mental disability or challenge affecting my child that may affect the safety of my child or others.
I will teach my child that doing his/her best is more important than winning.
I will not ridicule, bully, blame, or yell at my child or other skaters, coaches, officials, or volunteers in response to a poor performance or for any other reason.
I will do my best to make skating fun at all times and will remember that my child participates in sports for his/her own enjoyment and satisfaction.
I will teach my child to treat other skaters, coaches, fans, volunteers, officials, and rink staff with respect, regardless of race, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, or ability. I will also take action and report any acts of bullying, harassment or abuse to the appropriate authorities.
I will applaud any effort in both victory and defeat emphasizing positive accomplishments and learning from mistakes
I will teach my child to resolve conflicts calmly and peacefully without resorting to hostility or violence.
I will be a positive role model for my child and others.
I will demand a figure skating environment for my child that is free of drug or alcohol abuse and agree that I will not use or provide to a third-party any illegal drug prohibited by applicable federal, state, or municipal law.
I will not assist or condone any athlete’s use of a banned substance as described by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, the World Anti-Doping Agency, the International Olympic Committee, the International Skating Union, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, or U.S. Figure Skating, or, in case of athletes, to use such drugs or refuse to submit to properly conducted drug tests administered by one of these organizations.
I will expect my child’s coach to be in compliance with all requirements of U.S. Figure Skating, to continue their education and training through programs offered by U.S. Figure Skating, and other accredited organizations.
I will respect my child’s coach and refrain from “sideline” coaching my child or other skaters.
I will respect the decisions of officials, their authority and decisions during competitions and test sessions and teach my child to do the same.
I will show appreciation and recognize the importance of volunteers and club officials. I will fulfill my responsibility to help my club with membership, special projects, competitions, and test sessions.
I agree to report to the appropriate entity/party any U.S. Figure Skating Code of Conduct, SkateSafe®, or U.S. Center for SafeSport Code violations that I observe or am otherwise made aware of.
I will become familiar with the rules of the U.S. Figure Skating and teach my child accordingly.
I will support and respect all skaters and their right to participate.

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GBFSC Ice Rules & Codes of Conduct