FAQ
FAQ Private Lesson Questions
What is the cost of private lessons?
Every coach charges differently. It is usually based on experience and credentials of the coach. Normally coaches do 30 minutes lessons but based on scheduling can be adapted to 20 minute, 40 minute or even 60 minute lessons. Please contact me for more information on cost for the length of lesson you are looking for and how to pay.
How old does my skater need to be to take private lessons?
Any age. Private lessons allow more time to be spent on skills needed to be worked on thus leading to more rapid growth and progression. Private lessons allow the coach to create a plan suited to your skater's needs and abilities.
Do I need to finish all the levels of Learn To Skate before taking private lessons?
No! You can start lessons at any time however most students switch to private lessons once they hit the freeskate levels in LTS. Many skaters who start taking private lessons switch to US figure skating levels like the moves in the field and freeskating tests in order to compete in US sanctioned competitions.
My skater wants to compete, what should I expect?
If your skater wants to compete you first need to decide if your skater will compete in the basic skills/learn to skate track or switch to US figure skating. There are competitions offered in both. US figure skating draws a more competitive field and has qualifying events that could lead to national or international competitions whereas basic skills/learn to skate is competitive but more relaxed and on a smaller scale.
Competitions take a lot of preparation. Your skater will need practice his/her program a lot to be prepared, both in private lessons and on their own. The coach and skater/family will work together to figure out an appropriate timeline and choose a competition based on that.
There is an entry fee for each event your child is doing, due a month in advance to the competition. Coaches attend the competitions and usually charge a competition fee. The coach gets your skater warmed up and ready, gets the skater checked in with the ice monitor, gets the skater put on the ice at the correct time. Usually parents are more nervous than the skater so we leave the stress of getting ready for the coach and let parents nervously wait in the stands. Expect an amount equivalent to a lesson fee. Sometimes if the competition is at a home rink there is no charge or if there are a lot of students the cost will be lower.
Some competitions offer special events like a jumping event, spinning event, dramatic event or interpretive event.
My skater does not want to compete can he/she take private lessons?
Absolutely! There is a lot of joy in learning how to skate for the sake of learning how to skate. Many times skaters who do not want to compete go on a path of testing. This means they just take the moves in the field test and/or freeskating tests. This gives the skater a sense of accomplishment without the stress of competing.
Can adults take lessons too?
YES!! I am a firm believer in adults learning how to skate at any age. I recently competed in an adult competition and there were some competitors who just learned how to skate 2 years ago because they wanted to try something new! There are just as many opportunities for adult skaters as there are young skaters.
FAQ Skating Questions
What are moves in the field tests?
Moves in the Field (MIF) are basic skating moves skated without music. The Moves are designed to emphasize one or more of the following qualities: POWER, EDGE QUALITY, EXTENSION or LINE, and QUICKNESS or PRECISENESS OF SKATING MOVEMENT. Although all four qualities are simultaneously important, even critical, to good skating, the MIF are designed to allow the skater to focus on one or more specific qualities.
There are 8 tests/levels (pre-preliminary, preliminary, pre-Juvenile, juvenile, intermediate, novice, junior, and senior)
This is a part of US Figure Skating and a club membership and US figure skating membership are required.
What are freeskating tests?
Freeskate tests are skating programs done to music. They include required jumps, spins, and step sequences. The difficulty increases as the levels go up. There are 8 tests/levels (pre-preliminary, preliminary, pre-Juvenile, juvenile, intermediate, novice, junior, and senior) Skaters who want to take these tests have to do both sets of tests, MIF and freeskating. This is because you cannot take a freeskating test without passing the equivalent moves in the field test first. (it goes back to the skating skills. The MIF will help your skater's skating skills and ability to pass the freeskate tests)
Example: Suzy Skater has passed her Juvenile moves in the field test last month, Suzy can now take her Juvenile freeskate test.
This is a part of US Figure Skating and a club membership and US figure skating membership are required.
*skaters who are not interested in jumping and spinning can just do MIF tests.*
Where can I get skates and skates sharpened?
The place I trust the most is Gepetto's Skate Shop located in Downer's Grove Ice Arena in Downer's Grove, Illinois. Although far away, he is an excellent boot fitter and skate sharpener. If you are considering skating as a long term commitment for your skater I would recommend getting skates from him.
Sharpening is tricky. Just starting out I would say it is okay to get skates sharpened at Compton. As your child progresses higher you are going to want to have them professionally sharpened. A properly sharpened blade can make a huge difference in your skater's ability. I have heard horror stories of toe picks getting sharpened off by non-professional skate sharpeners thus ruining very expensive blades.