Planning

Planning is very important to figure skating. There are developmental milestones some skaters need to hit, there are age limitations at certain levels and if skaters are just generally trying to get their Gold Skating Skills and Gold Freeskate tests done before they graduate from high school, it takes strategic planning and commitment to that strategy and plan for a skater to have a chance at attaining their goals. As skaters become better at this sport, and the skills become more intricate, there is more nuances to helping the skater become successful which takes planning. Myself, parents and the skater need to be aware of that and plan accordingly.

To help everyone plan, I do one yearly conference with the skater and their family so everyone can be on the same page where the skater is headed that year and in the future. As of now, I do not charge for this meeting, but that may change. I also only have so much time to meet with each family since each skater needs at least a one-hour planning meeting. I will give families at least a two month notice on when my openings are for planning meetings.

Goals and planning are great, but everyone has to do their part. If a family chooses to start skating less, forgets to tell me they are gone for an extended time, begins missing lesson times, etc. it all impacts the skater and their plan. If families do not do their part to keep the skater going and then the skater doesn’t hit a goal, I do not meet again with a family to revise the plan.