What is a Coach?

 

A Coach is an athlete who is enrolled in the National Coaching Certification program (NCCP). An athlete cannot be called a Coach unless they are formally recognized with the NCCP. Aspiring coaches begin coach training and certification at the CanSkate Coach context and work their way through to National Coach. Each Context contains three steps to certification:

• In-training 
  • Sport specific course delivered by the Section
• Trained
  • Multi-sport modules delivered by the Provincial/Territorial Coaching Representatives
• Certified
  • Completion of an evaluation portfolio, enroll through eLearning

Skate Canada provides the Fee Guideline for Coaches. Before a coach can start coaching he must:

• Be a Club Coach: CanSkate in-training (or higher).
• Be certified in First Aid.
• Have obtained the required CRC (18 years and older).
• Be registered with Skate Canada, as a coach and be in good standing.
• Successfully complete the Making Ethical Decisions Module.
• Complete the Respect in Sport online module.

 

What is an Assistant Coach?

 

An Assistant Coach is an assistant of a coach in a Club. All Assistant Coaches must also have the required NCCP credentials as outlined in the ‘What is a Coach’ section above. There is no classification for an Assistant Coach who does not have NCCP credentials. Athletes that support Coaches without NCCP are classified as Program Assistants.

 

What is a Program Assistant?

 

A Program Assistant is defined by Skate Canada with responsibilities that include, but are not limited to, assistant the Skate Canada coach, demonstrating skills, supervising sessions, etc.

 

Coach Development

 

What are the first steps to becoming a Coach?

 Skaters can begin their coaches training at 14 years of age with the Multi-Sport Courses. Specific to figure skating include: Making Ethical Decisions (multi-sport course),  Planning a Practice (multi-sport course), Teaching and Learning (multi-sport course), Coaching Athletes with a Disability (Locker eLearning).   

 

How does an athlete transition from Program Assistant to Coach/Assistant Coach?

At 16, skaters can start register to do their 3 day Can Skate in-person course. Without this in-person course and the above multi-sport courses, assistants are ‘Program Assistants’ and not ‘Coach/Assistant Coach’. To start the Can Skate course in person the candidate must have passed at least one complete STAR 5 Assessment; or Junior Bronze Skills, Dance or Free skate (depending on the age of the skater) Upon completion of this course, coaches are eligible to teach the CanSkate program but are not considered ‘certified’ until all multi-sport training and a portfolio is complete. This certification must be completed within 3 years. Once certified, individuals must achieve 6 professional development points.  Professional development points can be earned by attending Skate Canada – Saskatchewan seminars, Coaches or Section AGM, First Aid, Coaching, etc. 

 

How to prepare for a CanSkate session

• Get your skates sharpened

• Make sure your helmet fits

• Pack your mittens or gloves

• Pack a towel to wipe your blades with after your lesson

• Practice putting on and tying your skates at home

• Please use hard skate guards when walking around the arena to avoid dulling your skates

​Equipment – CSA approved hockey helmets are required until the completion of Level 5, helmet cages are strongly recommended for all beginner skaters.  Skaters must wear proper skates and gloves/mittens.  Equipment is not available to rent, so participants must make arrangements to have equipment by the first session.  Participants without appropriate equipment will not be permitted on the ice. 

​Supervisor Requirement – there must be an adult responsible for the participant present at the arena for the duration of the class.

How to Dress: 

• The arena weather is chilly, please dress in a warm sweater or jacket, long pants (snow pants are not recommended as they are slippery when getting up), and gloves/mittens

• All skaters MUST WEAR a CSA approved hockey helmet

• All skaters MUST WEAR gloves/mittens on the ice

What kind of skates should I buy?

A. Good skates are important for comfort and safety. All skaters must have their own skates, preferably fitted by a skate shop or by a qualified skate dealer. A good fit in a pair of quality used boots is better than a pair of low-quality new boots for skaters starting basic figure skating skills. Leather boots with firm support around the ankle and properly sharpened blades are essential. Molded boots are often too stiff and inflexible.

The boots should be fitted with one pair of socks/tights and there should to be room to move the toes, but the foot should not slip or slide around in the boot. Skates need to be laced fairly loosely over the toe and the front of the foot, but snuggly over the ankles. Laces should be tucked in and not wrapped around the top of the skate. The heel must fit firmly and should not be able to move up and down. The child stands up, bends their knees slightly and walks in the skate without the ankles dropping to either side. The skate should feel comfortable. Avoid buying a larger size for skater to grow into. 

You can test the support of a skate by taking your two thumbs and, placing one on each side of the side of the boot, press down where the ankle bone would be. If the side of the boot is easy to push in, then there is little or no support in the boot. Likewise, if it is difficult to push the side of the boot in, then there is good support in the boot. 

Probably the most important element in purchasing used skates is ensuring that there is enough support left in the skate. Many competitors attempt to offset the cost of skating by selling their old equipment. Many of these skates, while originally being of very good quality, are now at the end of their life span and have been broken down or are close to breaking down. A broken down boot is indicated by creases in the side of a boot that go to or past the ankle bone. Fit is essential in a skate. There should never be more than a tight finger behind the heel of the skater's foot when the skater's foot is pushed as far forward in the boot as possible (without crunching the toes).