Top Things to Look for in a Skating Coach
Choosing a figure skating coach is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your child’s skating journey.
A great coach doesn’t just teach skills—
they shape confidence, build habits, and guide long-term development.
But here’s the part many families don’t realize:
The “best” coach isn’t the same for every skater.
The right fit depends on your child’s personality, goals, and stage of development.
So how do you choose?
1. Strong Technical Foundation
At its core, figure skating is a technical sport.
A strong coach should:
Teach proper fundamentals from the beginning
Emphasize edges, posture, and body alignment
Build skills progressively (not rush through levels)
Just as importantly, families should look for a coach who is properly credentialed and actively engaged in their professional development.
In the U.S., qualified coaches are typically certified through the U.S. Figure Skating Coach I.C.E. (Instructor Certification and Education) program, which ensures coaches meet standardized requirements in safety, technique, and instruction.
A strong coaching professional will also:
Participate in ongoing continuing education to stay current with best practices in training and athlete development
Maintain full compliance with SafeSport and SkateSafe policies, which are designed to ensure a safe, respectful, and athlete-centered training environment
Why this matters:
→ Skaters who learn correct fundamentals early—and in a safe, structured environment—develop stronger technique, greater confidence, and fewer habits that need to be corrected later.
2. Clear Communication Style
Coaching is as much about communication as it is about technique.
Look for a coach who:
Explains skills in a way your child understands
Gives clear, actionable feedback
Knows when to challenge and when to encourage
Some skaters thrive with high energy and enthusiasm.
Others respond better to calm, detailed instruction.
→ The key is finding a coach whose style matches how your child learns best.
3. Experience Across Development Stages
A coach’s experience should align with your skater’s current level and future goals.
For example:
Beginner skaters need patience and strong foundational teaching
Intermediate skaters need structured progression
Advanced skaters need technical refinement and strategic planning
→ If your child is still early in their journey, it’s helpful to understand what progress really looks like in the first year of skating so expectations stay aligned.
4. Focus on Long-Term Development (Not Just Quick Progress)
It can be tempting to choose a coach who moves skaters through levels quickly.
But long-term success comes from:
Proper technique
Consistency
Confidence
A great coach prioritizes:
→ how well a skill is learned—not just how fast it’s passed.
This creates a foundation that supports jumps, spins, and more advanced elements later on.
5. Professionalism & Reliability
Consistency matters—for both skaters and families.
Look for a coach who:
Is organized and communicates clearly
Shows up prepared and on time
Provides structure to lessons and training
This creates a stable, productive learning environment.
6. Ability to Build Confidence
Progress in skating isn’t just physical—it’s mental.
The right coach helps skaters:
Work through fear and frustration
Celebrate small wins
Stay motivated through challenges
→ Confidence is often what separates skaters who continue progressing from those who plateau.
7. A Good Personality Fit
This is the one factor you can’t measure on paper—but it matters just as much as everything else.
Ask yourself:
Does my child feel comfortable with this coach?
Do they look forward to lessons?
Do they feel supported and understood?
→ A strong coach-skater relationship builds trust—and that’s where real progress happens.
One More Thing: It Doesn’t Have to Be Just One Coach
Many families assume a skater should have a single coach.
But in reality:
Working with a coaching team can be incredibly beneficial.
Different coaches bring different strengths, such as:
Jump technique
Spins
Skating skills and edge work
Performance and artistry
A team approach allows skaters to:
Get more well-rounded instruction
Hear concepts explained in different ways
Continue progressing even if one coach isn’t available
How to Know If It’s the Right Fit
Even after choosing a coach, it’s okay to reassess.
Signs of a good fit:
Your child is improving steadily
They enjoy lessons and feel motivated
Communication is clear and consistent
→ If you’re still figuring out next steps, you may also want to read how to know if your child is ready for more serious training.
How Skate VIDA Approaches Coaching
At Skate VIDA, we believe great coaching is both individualized and collaborative.
We offer:
Opportunities for both private lessons and small group training
Specialized off-ice training (jump technique, ballet, strength, coordination)
Our goal is to match each skater with the right coach—or coaching team—for their needs, not just a one-size-fits-all approach.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Choosing a coach can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to figure it out alone.
→ We’re happy to recommend the best coaching fit based on your child’s level, goals, and personality.
Reach out to learn more about our coaching team and available lesson options.
Coming Up Next
Once you’ve found the right coach, the next question is:
Is your child ready for more serious training?
Stay tuned for our next post:
“How to Know If Your Child Is Ready for More Serious Training”