STARSkate Program Information Packet

STARSkate & Jr. STAR

The Nicola Valley Figure Skating Club offers the new STARSkate STAR 1-5 program. STARSkate stands for Skills, Tests, Achievement, and Recognition. Skate Canada’s STARSkate program offers opportunities for skaters to develop figure skating skills in four different disciplines with the option of taking Skate Canada Tests while earning awards and incentives designed for this group of skaters.  Our program, is taught by a NCCP Certified Professional Coach in a small group format, Semi or private lessons, (optional Jr. STAR 1) and teaches skills for learning to train and practice for the sport. In addition to edges, turns, spins and jumps, skaters learn warm-up drills both on and off the ice, dance elements, Skate care and equipment requirements. Our Jr. STAR Program teaches elements from the STAR 1 disciplines.

Skaters are now also given the opportunity to work on skills independently and are encouraged to obtain private or semi-private lessons from our Head Coach. Speak with Diana directly for availability, to design a regiment that works for your Skater. Skaters should be skating at least two sessions or more per week for optimal skill progression, and even skating on the days you do not have a lesson for practice is strongly encouraged at this level.

STAR 1-5 fundamentals are taught in group and/or private lesson format in the following disciplines: Skills, Dance, Freeskate, Freeskate Program, and Interpretive. Parents need to become aware of budgeting and other related costs involved. Costs can include club ice fees, coaching fees, & other expenses, skates, proper attire, Assessment Fees, Seminars, Competition fees, and any off-ice fees.

Star Skate Program Structure

The structure of the STARSkate program differs from CanSkate and Junior Academy. They also receive their own Group lesson but now are highly recommended to receive private or semi-private lessons from our Professional Coach. The session fee is for ice time only from the Club & lessons will be billed directly by the Coach for Privates obtained.

After their Group lesson in Free-skating sessions, skaters can practice jumps, spins, footwork and programs independently. Private lessons are booked with a coach during these ice times. During stroking or group time, skaters receive group instruction from our professional coach. Coaching fees are included in the group or stroking session fees during this allotted ice time. Free-skate STAR 1-5 can be Assessed with our Coach in our home Club.

In Skating Skills sessions, skaters again work independently unless they have a booked lesson with their coach. There are several levels, which contains specific exercises and elements such as turns, stops and field movements and Stroking Assessments at Levels 1, 3 & 5 only. Skills STAR 1-5 can be Assessed with our Coach in our home Club.

Ice Dance has Star 1-5 Levels of specific dances, and Elements that the skaters learn. The skaters work independently on the dance sessions unless in a booked lesson with their coach, or group Dance lesson. STAR 1-5 Dance can be Assessed with our Coach in our home Club.

 STAR 1-5 Program Levels

·         Skills                                                   Intro Interpretive & Interpretive (Bronze – Gold)

·         Freeskate Elements    

·         Freeskate Program

·         Dance

What happens after STAR 1-5?

After they have received their Assessments in the STAR 1-5 all together or separately in the disciplines, they move up into STAR 6-10, or Intermediate Competitive option.

Disciplines of Skating

At the STARSkate level skaters will be introduced to all Figure Skating disciplines to become a well-rounded skater and athlete, and obtain the Fundamental basics needed later.

1.    Freeskate: Skaters will learn jumps, spins, field movements, as well as Movement, and interpretive.

2.    Skills: edges and circles done forwards and backwards with outside and inside edges, and turns. Introducing this to the skaters is VERY important and vital for them to be learning for STARskate.

3.    Dance: Skaters Learn Dance in these first 5 stages at STAR 1 learning the elements and steps then STAR 2 a, 2b, and so on… they learn the pattern of the Dance to music. Learning about timing and tempo.

Skaters & other Groups to watch out for on your session…

Freeskate Sessions:

·         Soloists in a lesson have the right of way. (Wearing a High Visual Armband)

·         Soloists not in a lesson have second priority. (High Vis. Armband)

·         STARSkaters recieving a Semi- Private or Private Lesson also have the right of way & you need to be mindful where you are skating. (High Vis. Armband)

·         Spins are to be practiced in the center except when skating a program or in a lesson, jump to the outer.

·         Be mindful of Group Lessons also with the Professional Coach.

Dance/Skill Sessions:

·         Skaters in a lesson dancing to the music being played have the right of way.

·         Skaters dancing to the music being played have second priority.

·         Free-skating, spins and jumps are not permitted, during this allotted ice time.

Equipment

STARskaters should discuss boot and blade options with their Coach. Skates are now bought at Dealers/stores specializing in figure skating. Coach Diana can put you in touch with a reliable Dealer & Sharpener.

•      Moisture must be wiped off the blade and boots after each session with a dry towel.

•      After skating, boots must be allowed to air dry, do NOT leave guards on while storing, and take them out of their bag or open the bag to properly dry out, as to not get rust on your blades or create Mold in your boots.

•      Sharpen skates regularly. Generally, skate sharpening is something that each individual skaters will have to do from time to time.  It will always depend on many circumstances as when to get them done.  If your child is unsure...then please ask your Coach to check them prior to getting on the ice or after a session and can recommend a good, reliable Professional Sharpener.

•      Proper Figure Skates with ankle support are a must. Laces should NOT be wrapped around the ankle. Keep lacing them up and down the skate until you are able to tie them for the last time.

•      Skating clothes should not be baggy, slim fitting tights, yoga pants, or leggings, skating dresses, skirts, and sweaters or form fitting thicker jacket. Dress in warm layers, that can be taken off if you get hot.

•      Hair should be tidy & up, not long and in the way. A small warm headband or a small warm hat that is easy to skate in, can be worn during the colder months. No bulky toques.

Ice Rules

•      There shall be no goofing around, be focused to practice during your free time on the ice. Chit Chat needs to stay to a minimum. Have respect for all Coaches & other skaters, and when a Coach speaks to you, respectfully do as you are told. No backtalk, or lack of listening will be tolerated. Our Coaching time, and Ice times are precious, and cannot be wasted, and if severe you will be asked to leave the ice.

•      You must have a parent come and take you off to go to the bathroom. Please let a Coach or know before you are allowed to leave the ice. This is for safety reasons, and in case of emergency.

•      Should there be an accident while on the ice, please let the Coach attend to it first before a skater leaves the ice, or flag a Coach down before a skater is allowed to the leave the ice. Diana is First Aid trained to deal with the situation, first hand.

•      Please make sure that you go to the washroom before coming on the ice, even if it makes you late. Less likely chance of missing anything at the beginning of a session while the group is warming up. Once the skaters are on the ice, they are not permitted to leave for safety reasons.

•      While the skaters are on the ice, they are in capable hands and are now the Coach’s responsibility. Please keep a watchful eye in case your skater is needing to get off for the washroom etc. We can't let them off without a parent being there for them during the session.

•      Strongly encourage parents to enjoy sitting in the warm Mezzanine. This also prevents skaters from constantly calling on the parents, because they are not rink side. Keeps them working hard, and more focused if the skaters realize this. There shall be absolutely NO Parental COACHING from the Stands, sidelines, or rink side. Discreet acknowledgment of acquisition of your skater’s skills as to not disturb other during the session time.

•      Water bottles are permitted at the ice surface. Please No pop or juice at rink side.

Respect for other Skaters, Parents & all Coaches.

Most important of all is to have Fun, & enjoy a Love for Skating.

Please read & sign the attached Code of Ethics & Photo release form prior to stepping on the ice.