Is a 15-minute private lesson worth it?

Question

I am currently working on my axel, double salchow and double loop, but I'm taking group lessons once a week for (primarily) financial reasons. I am so far past all the other people in my group that I only get maybe 5 minutes of attention during the 40-minute lesson, so I am considering taking private lessons. I think there might be an instructor available for 15 minutes once a week, but I'm uncertain whether 15 minutes a week would really help me that much. Any suggestions?

A few other notes: I currently skate twice a week, for 40 minutes and 1 hour. This would be bumping it up to 2 hours a week total with the 15 minute lesson. Also, a 15-minute lesson is about maxing out my budget, so a longer lesson is not an option. My goal is to eventually compete at the adult silver or gold level, but that is probably 5 years of (financially, if not due to abilities).

Answer 1

Any instruction time is worth it when you have a goal, but 15 minutes isn't much time to go over everything you're working on.  Since you've already passed up the skaters in group lessons, why not take the money you typically spend for groups and put it towards private lessons?  Do some quick math and figure if you spend $10-20 for your 40 minute group lesson once a week for how ever many weeks your program goes, instead of feeling held back and getting less personal attention, put that $10-20 towards a longer private lesson.  If the instructor you're working with doesn't have more than 15 minutes to give you, maybe they can suggest someone who does, another coach they work well with or another coach that you can share that time with -- maybe between the two of them, they could each take you a half-hour every other week or something.  In my opinion, usually about a half-hour lesson is a decent length.  Longer than that is great too, but I hear what you're saying about keeping skating affordable.  I'm trying to still test and skate competitively with 2 half-hour lessons a week, while trying to keep my growing stepdaughters in groups and skates that fit!!  :)  And I want to add a dance coach -- uggh, husband's not happy.  haha  

Good luck with your goal.  I really like competing as an adult more than in standard track -- the other skaters are way more encouraging and fun!  I just passed my silver moves test too!  :)

Answer 2

I'm a beginner skater in the Skate UK levels, and I only have a 15 min slot once a week. I skate about 2 hours a week too though. In fifteen mins, you can actually do a lot more than you think. I began private lessons not knowing how to stop or anything, but after 4 weeks i was working on my grade 4, which in American skating would be around Alpha, which yeah, isn't at all advanced in the slightest, but i had only just begun. Its great to get private coaching even for as little time as fifteen mins. Even though your way more advanced than i'll probably ever be, as I started, apparently, a bit too late at age 13, private coaching is usually the best option. Good luck skating, and I hope you reach your goal of competing at adult silver or gold level!

Answer 3

I don't think there are private instructors that teach just for 15 minutes. Many that I have known tend to teach for 20 to 30 minutes. If you go to a local ice rink, ask any of the teachers you take your group lessons from if they also teach private lessons and are willing to teach you. And talk to them about prices and time. You might be able to find a teacher who's willing to teach your 15 minutes at a reasonable price.  

Answer 4

its worth it to get that.

how much is it?

i would get someone who is or under $15 dollars per 15 min.

but since you are on a tight budget, make sure you are getting the most out of your lessons.

during group lessons, dont let the instructor come to you, go to your coach and ask them if you are doing your axel right and what you need to change.

you can use your private lesson time to focus on things like axel, double sal, double loop, and things you cant yet do very well, like certain spins.

use your other practice time to work on your other jumps and more basic spins. just inform your coach about that before you begin your private lessons because you are on a tight budget.

also, practice your double loop and single axel off-ice for 5 min a day.

the best part is.... its free!

good luck with your goals!

Answer 5

Where I am (Canada) they have 15-30-45-60 min slots, and at one point all I could afford was 15 min x2 a week and it worked out, but I was skating more hours than you by myself... I was landing axel and double toe, 2 footing 2x sal and 2x loop. We would work on spins one lesson and jumps the other (or 10 min jumps, 5 min spins, or vice versa). It's worth the extra attention.

Answer 6

I think 15 minsute is not worth it maybe 30 or 45 minutes but thats my opinion

Answer 7

I am working on the same jumps and my coach does 15 minute sessions. It worked out for me most of the time, but we occasionally do 30 minute sessions. If you don't work on your jumps during group lessons, and if you are just starting those jumps, then I would recommend it for sure. It would still be a good idea even if you are perfecting those jumps, as you'd start working on double flips and so on.

It worked out for me.