Ice-skating coach

Ice-skating coaches teach and train individuals or groups in ice skating and related sports such as figure skating and speed skating. They teach their clients theoretical knowledge and train fitness, strength and physical coordination. Ice-skating instructors prepare and conduct training sessions. They will support their clients if they participate in competitions.

Ice-skating coaches typically do the following duties:

• Develop and implement training programs for ice skaters of various ages and skill levels
• Conduct individual or group ice skating lessons and provide feedback on technique
• Monitor and evaluate skaters’ progress and make necessary adjustments to training programs
• Provide emotional support and encouragement to skaters
• Ensure the safety of skaters during lessons and practice sessions
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with skaters, parents, and other professionals in the ice skating community
• Attend competitions and events to support and provide coaching to skaters.

The following job titles also refer to ice-skating coach:

ice-skating trainer
speed skating instructor
ice-skating teacher
speed skating coach
skating coach
figure skating coach
speed skating trainer
ice-skating instructor

Ice-skating coaches typically work in ice rinks or skating facilities. They often work early mornings, evenings, and weekends to accommodate skaters’ schedules. Coaches may work independently or as part of a team and may travel to competitions and events with their skaters.

To become an ice-skating coach, one needs to have several years of experience in ice skating and training, as well as a passion for teaching others. It is recommended to obtain certification from recognized organizations such as the Ice Skating Institute (ISI) or the Professional Skaters Association (PSA). These organizations offer various levels of certification, from basic to advanced, and provide training in coaching techniques, safety measures, and program development.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Ice-skating coach is a Skill level 3 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to ice-skating coach.

boxing instructor
golf instructor
swimming teacher
snowboard instructor
ski instructor

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of ice-skating coach. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of ice-skating coach with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

physical education teacher secondary school
physical education vocational teacher
public speaking coach
vocational teacher
secondary school teacher

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of ice-skating coach.

• Ice-skating: The different styles and techniques of ice-skating such as figure skating and speed skating, the rules of competitive skating and ice-skating equipment.

These skills are necessary for the role of ice-skating coach.

• Personalise sports programme: Observe and evaluate individual performance and determine personal needs and motivation to tailor programmes accordingly and in conjunction with the participant
• Adapt teaching to student’s capabilities: Identify the learning struggles and successes of students. Select teaching and learning strategies that support students’ individual learning needs and goals.
• Develop sports programmes: Develop plans and policies for the inclusion of sporting activities and organisations in a community, and for the development of sporting activities for specific target groups.
• Plan sports instruction programme: Provide participants with an appropriate programme of activities to support progression to the required level of expertise in the specified time taking into account relevant scientific and sport-specific knowledge.
• Develop opportunities for progression in sport: Develop and implement plans and frameworks to increase participation and the progression of athletes.
• Organise training: Make the necessary preparations to conduct a training session. Provide equipment, supplies and exercise materials. Ensure the training runs smoothly.
• Apply risk management in sports: Manage the environment and athletes or participants to minimise their chances of suffering any harm. This includes checking appropriateness of venue and equipment and gathering relevant sport and health history from athletes or participants. It also includes ensuring appropriate insurance cover is in place at all times
• Adapt teaching to target group: Instruct students in the most fitting manner in regards to the teaching context or the age group, such as a formal versus an informal teaching context, and teaching peers as opposed to children.
• Instruct in sport: Provide appropriate technical and tactical instruction related to the given sport using varied and sound pedagogical approaches to meet the needs of the participants and achieve the desired objectives. This requires skills such as communication, explanation, demonstration, modelling, feedback, questioning and correction.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of ice-skating coach. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Sport and exercise medicine: Prevention and treatment of injuries or conditions resulted from a physical activity or sport.
• Sports nutrition: Nutritional information such as vitamins and energy pills related to a specific sporting activity.
• Sporting equipment usage: Have knowledge of the correct operation and maintenance of sporting equipment.
• Sports ethics: The ethical considerations in sport activities, policy and management that ensure fair play and sportsmanship in all recreational and competitive sports.
• Sports competition information: The information regarding latest results, competitions and events in the sporting industry.
• Sport games rules: The rules and regulations of sport games such as football, soccer, tennis, and others.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of ice-skating coach. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Attend sports training: Attend scheduled practice or training sessions.
• Adjust sporting equipment: Alter sporting equipment, e.g. racquet stringing, ski waxing, etc.
• Exercise sports: Exercise or practice under the direction of sports and athletic trainers or professional coaches to develop skills, improve physical condition, or prepare for competitions.
• Motivate in sports: Positively foster athletes and participants’ intrinsic desire to carry out the required tasks to fulfill their goals and to push themselves beyond their current levels of skill and understanding.

3422 – Sports coaches, instructors and officials

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References

1. Ice-skating coach – ESCO
2. Featured image: Photo by Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels