HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR STARSKATE COACH

New to STARSkate? One of the biggest changes from CANSkate and Pre-Junior is that your family now chooses and hires a Base Coach.

Your Base Coach becomes your skater’s primary coaching partner and helps guide lessons, training, assessments and progression.

HOW COACHING CHANGES IN STARSKATE

STARSkate skaters need to arrange a Base Coach and check their availability before registering for ice.

WHAT IS A BASE COACH?

A Base Coach is your skater’s primary coaching partner in STARSkate. They create the training plan, provide ongoing instruction and guidance, and may coordinate with other coaches (such as dance, choreography or specialist coaches) as your skater’s needs evolve.

The Right Fit

Does your skater feel comfortable, motivated and understood by this coach?

Approach + Goals

Do the coach and skater share a similar vision for training, progress and goals?

Experience + Qualifications

Consider coaching background, NCCP qualifications, experience and areas of specialty.

Availability + Rates

Can the coach work on the sessions you need, and are you comfortable with their lesson rates and billing?

Questions to Ask

Do you regularly coach skaters at my child’s level?
Which MKSC sessions are you available on?
How often would you recommend my skater train?
What lesson format do you typically use?
What are your rates and how does billing work?
Do you work with other coaches or specialists?

Working With More Than One Coach

Yes. Your skater will typically have a Base Coach who oversees their overall training, but they may also work with other MKSC coaches for additional lessons or areas of specialty.

In some coaching arrangements, multiple coaches may work together more closely as a team. Your Base Coach should be involved in coordinating the coaching team so everyone is working toward the same goals.

If you are considering a shared or co-Base-Coach arrangement, contact the STARSkate Director to confirm how MKSC handles it.

If It’s Not the Right Fit

Start by speaking with your coach. If the relationship still isn’t working, families can choose another coach. MKSC’s own material says to inform the current coach, secure the new Base Coach, settle outstanding bills and inform the STARSkate Director.