Tips on choosing a private coach???

Question

what do i look for?

when i do a "trial lesson" with them am i supposed to pay for it or do i just meet them? if I do a "trial lesson" do I pay for the FS session/public session also?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Go to About.com and type something like,"Private ice skating lessons." They tell you what's the price range for private lessons w/ a private coach. Each coach has his/her own prices, so you should choose the most affordable, and a good instuctor. Sometimes, good teachers can charge $40 for a 30 min. class. But.... that's their choice.  

Answer 2

you pay for the freestyle/public session and the coaching fee.

and depending on where you are in skating and what you want to do (recreational, competitions,etc) you should pick a coach that suits your needs.

coaches arent always going to agree with you.. but thats why you pay them. because if you could teach yourself, you wouldnt need them. so dont just decide they arent the right coach if they say your leg is to bent on your spiral when you think its perfectly fine. because chances are, they arent trying to mess up your skating, they are helping you.

you want to find someone who is friendly, who you can share a bond with, and has a reasonable cost. (if you are just starting, dont get a world class coach that costs $80 an hour)

Answer 3

Some skaters have their group lesson instructor teach them privates or they may have an eye on someone they like at the rink because and like how they teach. But you'll need to talk with a coach first to see if they have time in their schedule for you and also ask them what their coaching fees are to see if you can afford them. Yes, you'll have to pay for the ice time" No such thing as free ice", and you'll have to pay the instructor for their time as well, unless they give away freebee's.. Lining 2-3 coaches up for some trial lessons is a very good idea, that way you'll be sure to find a coach that works with your personality. .

Below is a really good like to sk8stuff.com on how to find a good coach and a little snippet from it.

"What to expect from your Pro

Your pro will become your personal instructor.  When you first contract with a pro, you should have a long talk about your goals and expectations in skating.  Working together, you should build a general plan for how you will achieve those goals.  But then you should trust the pro to work out the day-to-day lesson plans and "order of attack".   They know best how to teach the elements, and in what order they should be learned.  Don't be afraid to revisit the "goals and expectations" discussion once in a while, but don't try to micromanage the pros's method of getting there either".

  

Answer 4

Yes you usually pay the session fee.

And also the coach.

I recommend taking a trial lesson definitely know their teaching style and see if it works for you.

Also i would recommend taking some group lessons before you start private lessons. That way its much less expensive, you can try other teachers, and you will have a basis on your skating so that you can make the most of your private lessons.

I have been skating for about 5 1/2 months and i love it. I am a talented skater and i started out with 1 trial lesson. We couldn't afford privates yet so i started out with two group lessons a week. 1 gamma/ delta and the other alpha/beta. Gamma delta to make me progress and alpha beta to help me touch up on the basics i already knew. Gamma delta kids were my age and alpha beta was younger. Alpha beta became too easy for me so i stopped taking it and have been full on effort in progressing. I am now a FS2 skater.

I am now just about to start private lessons in september because we can afford it and i am going to keep doing my group lessons.

I have had 5 different teachers in my skating months from having substitutes or make up lessons and i know exactly what teacher i want for my privates and i know i can make the most progress with her.

I would recommend doing the same. If you have already had group lessons and done all this, go for the trial lesson and see if you like that teacher and how much progress you made. During this trial she/he will probably try to see what level you are at and what you need to work on. so you might not make a ton of progress but see if you like her/him.

However if you prefer not to do group lessons and dont know the teachers, ask local skaters who compete or at least do some sort of lessons who they like a lot. Also if you don't like the coach you do your trial with try another one. you will be bound to find a coach perfect for you. :]

PS. if you decide to do group lessons and are in with the little kids, it may seem awkward but actually it will help you a lot because being older you will be a lot less clumsy, scared and will be able to comprehend the skills much much better.

Answer 5

You do unfortunately have to pay for the ice time on top of lessons=( but its worth it if u love it like me<33 Im switching private coaches this saturday as a matter a fact. I cant say wat u shud look for cuz it depends on how u learn. But i can tell u wat i look for. Someone with patience, but still pushes me to the limit and my absolute best. Someone who doesnt rush, and has understanding. someone with experience  (i had 1 who didnt, went TERRIBLE). A person who understands ur paste, how u learn, and ur love for the sport. U must tell them up front ur goals as a skater so they will know if u want to be competitive and work ur way up to something like the ice capades like me, or if ur doing it for fun. Or even if its both (like me also ahha). They shud be know more than 25 bucks a half hour (unless u wanna pay more). U want someone who can make time for u. Someone who doesnt let u slack off cuz ur tired. Good luck!

Answer 6

2 SIMPLE THINGS 2 DECIDE ON.

do you want your coach to be your best friend on the ice or be strict with a good point?

also look on the way they give you tips on your skating, if one has more techniques then the other coach your skating will improve dramatically b/c you can pick up things better with more options.  

Answer 7

When looking for a private coach, I would do a little research on your own before approaching the coach.  Watch the coach interact with their skaters on the ice.  Are they the type of coach to be on the ice, moving with the skater, demonstrating things or do they stay perched on the wall or in the hockey box?  Watch that coach's skaters.  Do the skaters appear confident?  Are they the better skaters on the session?  Also, ask around the rink.  Ask skaters and their parents who their coach is and if they're happy with them.  Find out what the coach's rates are, which rinks they frequent and anything else they can tell you about the coach.  Recognize what kind of coach you're looking for.  Some may be very laid back and others are driven.  Do you want a coach for just the basics with intent on finding a different coach as you advance or are you looking for an all-around coach to stick with for awhile.  What are your goals?  Coaches have different areas ofexpertisee.  Some mostly focus on freestyle, others are very well versed in MIF, some only teach dance, some do it all!  Find out which clubs they're associated with.  Some club's websites have short profiles about their pros and their background.  Sometimes if you're part of a learn to skate program, some of the coaches there also teach private lessons.  If you had a good relationship with one and have already had experience with them, maybe you'd enjoy skating with them.

Then after you've maybe chosen one or more coaches you're interested in, maybe stop and chat with them.  Sometimes coaches schedules fill up and they may not be accepting new students.  Find out if they have time available and maybe discuss your goals a little.  Don't approach them while they're skating with another skater.  Try to catch them off the ice or when they don't appear busy.  Typically, I'd think you'd pay a coach for their time no matter if it were a trial or not.  I've never heard of not paying a coach.  If you didn't click with them or didn't like them, then either tell them so or just as easily don't set up another lesson with them.  They'll get the idea!  :)

If you're skating a public or freestyle, you are responsible to pay for the ice.  Coaches don't cover your ice fees.  Depending on the rink, some don't allow instruction on their public sessions, some pretty much turn into freestyles.  Each rink is different on their rules for coaching on their ice.  Some require coaches to pay a yearly fee to use their ice, some just pay a typical admission fee.