Ask the Ice Moms: Figure Skating Coach Forbids Ice Dance

A figure skater wants to take ice dance…

My coach’s skaters are the more serious skaters at our rink, the ones that work hard and we’re kinda a little crazy. But, my coach’s skaters are seriously banned from ice dancing. If you want to do an artistic program, others in my group will look at you funny. My coach doesn’t even want to think of ice dancing; he hates it.

How can I start ice dancing without my coach getting mad? I really like dance. Its really fun and I just get it better. I’m pretty good at footwork and people tell me I should start ice dancing. I’ve wanted to do dance for like 3 or 4 years now, but I’m afraid of what my coach will say. He might stop coaching me. I want to keep on doing free skate, I just want to learn the dances, too.

Skittles Skates is an adult figure skater who blogs at Skittles_Skates. She has passed her Pre-Bronze free and Bronze MITF test, competed on a synchro team, battled injuries, and taught LTS Snowplow Sam classes.

Wow… I almost don’t know where to start on this one, and perhaps my perspective is a bit off because I’m an adult skater, but if a coach BANNED me from ice dance, I think I’d have to question whether that is the best coach for me.  First off, I have never heard any coach say that ice dancing harms a freestyle skater (I’ve heard ice dance coaches say freestyle harms a dancer’s technique… and lots of coaches have issues with synchro, whether right or wrong, but never before dance).  Dance helps edges and flow- which help you get bigger PCS, and will help you master all those turns that are essential to getting high levels on step sequences.  In my mind, it’s just absurd to ban it.

So I’d tell the skater to ask themselves- is this coach really the only one in the area that can get you to your freestyle goals?  If so, perhaps sit down with him, explain the benefits of ice dancing and why you want to do it, and ask him to help you work out a schedule so that ice dancing does not take away from your freestyle training time (perhaps that is what he is scared of?)  Present him with a list of possible ice dance coaches and find out if there is one he most prefers you take with (so there are no technique contradictions).

I understand you are scared he may drop you, but unless he is truly the only high-level coach in the area, it may be more of a concern that you drop him.  Coaches need to teach lessons to pay their bills- most cannot afford to drop students willy-nilly- perhaps he’s worried that you’ll prefer ice dancing, and stop doing freestyle…

SeasonedSk8rmom, adult skater and mom to a novice-level singles skater and synchronized skater who just passed her senior moves!

Regarding the skater who wants to ice dance, I think that she may want to consider switching coaches. I know that there are many free skate coaches that do not want their skaters learning other disciplines of skating because it will take time and money away from their free skating lessons, ice time, and practice time. These coaches are also fearful of losing skaters to other coaches and skating disciplines. If she would like to take ice dance and does not want to change coaches, she could also go to another rink that offers ice dance and find a coach at the new rink that will coach her in ice dancing. If she chooses to go this route she must be aware that if her free skate coach finds out her coach may not want to continue working with her.

Personally, I feel that ice dance is a great discipline for free skate skaters to learn because it really helps with learning edge control. I know that moves in the field (MIF) also help the teach this but ice dancing has other great qualities that help free style skaters. As an ice dancer you learn musicality, rhythm, timing, speed, endurance, gracefulness, and extension. Some of these qualities are not provided to the skater when learning MIF. I also feel that a skater should be encouraged to learn aspects of skating that they enjoy. This will help to continue their interest in the sport of skating and prevent the skater from burning out in the this sport.

Deb Chitwood is the mom of two international competitors (Will in pairs and Christina in ice dance) turned skating professionals. Deb is also a Montessori writer and a blogger at Raising Figure Skaters.

I’m assuming your coach must somehow feel threatened. I would recommend reassuring your coach that you want to improve your skating skills through ice dance and give examples of other singles skaters who became better singles skaters by taking ice dance lessons. Respectfully let your coach know this is important to you. When my kids skated at the World Arena in Colorado Springs, many of the singles skaters took ice dance lessons and tested through their ice dance tests. A lot of coaches recommend it to develop strong skating skills and artistry. My kids competed together in pairs before Chrissy went into ice dance. A couple of years, they competed in both pairs and ice dance together. I could see a big difference in their artistry in pairs when they trained in dance as well. Will always felt that ice dance really helped his pairs. He trained in ice dance all the way through his gold dance tests, even though he remained a pairs skater (and only competed in ice dance for his sister). As a coach, Will appreciates that he can now coach singles, pairs, and dance (and he has quite a few dance students)!

With the new judging system, more coaches recommend ice dance lessons for their singles skaters to improve their skaters’ component marks. For example, it’s much easier to receive high levels in your footwork sequences if you’ve trained in ice dance. Tell your coach that 2003 World team member Ryan Jahnke was considered one of the most artistic singles skaters, and he had tested through quite a few dance tests. And Jeremy Abbott actually competed in ice dance along with singles for a few years when he was younger! Hard to dismiss that style!

Pairs Mom, mom to 1/2 of last year’s Junior Nationals intermediate-level pairs gold medalists.

This seems very strange to me because we have 2 high – level coaches (among others) at our rink; one that has Team USA skaters competing Internationally and another that is a two-time Olympian (and medalist) and both of these coaches have singles skaters, but have encouraged their skaters to take ice dance lessons because it develops power stroking, strength, edges, musicality, expression, etc. There have been others from different coaches that also take dance. I have heard many people say that taking ice dance lessons improves your overall skating skills.

Even though you work hard to be good at your sport, it is still supposed to be fun. If your club is having a Spring Ice Show, then perhaps ask for an artistic program that you could also possibly compete with at a later competition. You are probably old enough to make decisions concerning your training and if you want to try dance then go for it! Yes, you will need to talk to your coach, but in the conversation you must tell him that you were afraid of his reaction.

It is very sad to hear that you have wanted to talk to your coach about something for 3- 4 years now and have been afraid to bring it up. Did the coach actually “say” that his skaters are banned from ice dancing?  If so, then talk to your parents because they are the ones that are paying the money for this sport, you are the one that is dedicated to training, so either way you should be happy, that’s the most important part!!  Good luck to you!

Sk8rmom p, personal trainer and mom to an intermediate-level male figure skater and a Junior Nationals competitor

I am so sorry to hear that your coach is against his skaters taking Ice Dancing.  I wonder what his reasoning is. Since one of my IceBoy’s coaches is an Olympic Ice Dancer, we have been taught early on how the discipline of Ice Dancing can help with edges, artistry, expression, line, posture, timing, musicality etc. etc.

Many Freestyle skaters also take Ice Dance lessons. I hear that a rink that turns out many champions in Colorado has their students take Ice Dance lessons with partners even if they never skate Dance competitively. It just makes good sense. It’s also fun!

Every coach has their own philosophy. Maybe your Coach has had a negative experience with Ice Dancing or the Ice Dancing Coach in the past. Who knows. If you like your coach, I guess you have to play by his rules. Talk to him again about your interest. Tell him you would like to add to your skating skills, but that you still want to do FreeStyle and stick with him.  Ask if you could try it out on a trial basis. If he finds that it’s not working out, then he can tell you (then you’ll have to make a choice).

If he gives you an ultimatum, then I guess you have to choose Dance or Coach. Seems kind of drastic to me, I can’t think of one good reason why the two can’t live together, but you are stuck if you want to stay with him.

Life is short; if you are really drawn to Dance, then you should at least try it out. You might regret never doing it when you are old and grey. However, before you make any type of decision to leave your coach or not (if it comes down to that), you really should try some lessons to see if you really like it.

Sk8nLn, Mom to a 9 year-old pre-pre figure skater

My first question to the skater is: “Have you sat down and had a true heart-to-heart conversation with your freestyle coach about your interest in ice dance?”  There is a possibility that if you express your true desire to continue freestyle, but at the same time learn about ice dance you can come to an agreement. Your coach could be worried about losing you as a student and a good conversation may reassure him you still want to work on freestyle

My second question is: “What are your personal goals in skating (not your parents’ goals and not your coach’s goals)?”  Is ice dancing something you can do later in life? Would ice dancing help you with some or your expression on the ice and footwork as these are also important in freestyle?

My 9-year-old daughter just loves ice dance and is currently working on the last of her pre-silver dances; however, she had to make some hard choices and answer some of the questions I just posed.  She has set the goals to land her “stupid” Axel (almost there!!!) and improve her flying camel (so not there) so she needs to step back from her ice dance focus for a bit of time.

I know it is can be difficult, but follow your heart in what you want from skating.

Allison Scott, mom to an Olympic figure skater, survivor of many rinks, professional communicator, new grandmother, and blogger at Life on the Edge.

I have to wonder why, given the new rules and the critical importance put on transitions etc, any coach would not “allow” skaters to learn the basics of ice dance. Edges need to be taught. Since figures have gone the way of the Dodo for most kids, and Moves in the Field have their foundation in ice dance, this is very curious to me. My skater took dance through his silvers. He also rediscovered figures a few years ago as a way to help his edging. Dancers have the best basic stroking technique, using the least amount of energy to cover the greatest distance on the ice. This conserves energy for things like spinning and jumping. Moving fluidly from one element to another is rewarded under IJS.

If this coach is all about the jumping, then there needs to be a huge reality check, in my opinion. That is not what the sport is about any more. Like it or not, IJS is looking for complete skating that includes basic skating skills, program components and transitions, among other things. “Ice dancing” doesn’t mean you need to compete it. This is about fundamentals. Any skill that improves a competitor’s ability to perform should be applauded, not vilified.

If you really like dance, then consider ice dancing and not singles. If you want to use ice dance to improve your skating skills, you might want to have “the talk” with the coach, and parents (if that is applicable). Air your feelings – as I always suggest – away from the rink to reduce the center of power. If that doesn’t work, and you feel that strongly about it, then it might be time to rethink your coaching situation.

S.F., figure skating parent and figure skating club board member.

My daughter starting ice dancing because it was a requirement for her synchro team. Some of the positives I have seen with ice dance is improved posture and extensions. I also think it has helped her become a more graceful skater.

Ice Mom, mom to Ice Girl, a high school student and preliminary figure skater.

I have to tell you: I detest people hold their personal power over someone else’s head. You are afraid your coach will drop you if you pursue ice dance, something you’ve wanted to do for years. I know I can be hot-headed, but the idea that your coach would drop you over ice dance really boils me. I don’t care how good the coach is, how many skaters he’s coached to greatness, or how amazing his jump technique is. This is your dream, your experience, your journey, and your parents’ money. He’s there to guide you and coach you, not make you fear losing him.

If I were your mom, I’d request a meeting with the coach, me (Mom), and you. I’d explain that you wanted to take ice dance. If he dropped you, then I would thank him for his time and wish him well. As my kid, I’d find the best darn ice dance coach in the area for you and let you dance all over that rink. The best revenge is living well. The second best is living well right in front of the jerks who hurt your feelings in the first place. The third best is living well and having chocolate. But I digress…

People should not live in fear that someone so important to them (parent, spouse, coach) is going to abandon them, especially over something that doesn’t involve blood, guts, gore, death, or destruction. It’s ice dancing. It’s not like you’ve picked up a gambling habit.

What do you think? Should this skater approach her coach with the ice dancing idea or should she just forget about ice dance and concentrate on singles? Does the coach’s attitude irritate you as much as it did me? Do you have experience with ice dance? Do you think you or your skater is better because of ice dancing?

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Do you have a question for Ice Mom or a stumper for the Advisory Board? Please send me your questions! If you have a suggestion for a blog post you’d like to read, e-mail me, too. If you’d like to saddle up your horse and come tilting at windmills with me this Saturday, let me know. If you know where a windmill is in the U.S., that’d be great, too. We’ll take that puppy down! IceMom.Diane@gmail.com

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Photo credits:
dancing on air: istolethetv on Flickr.com Creative Commons
Cute Little Girl in Pink Dances on the Beach during the Kite Festival: mikebaird / Mike Baird on Flickr.com Creative Commons
Mexican Dance: Dance Photographer / Brendan on Flickr.com Creative Commons
Irish Dance: Dance Photographer / Brendan on Flickr.com Creative Commons
Surrey Celebration Dance Team [pair]: Dance Photographer / Brendan on Flickr.com Creative Commons
Bali Dancers / Balinese Dance – Yellow Moths: Dominic’s pics / Dominic Alves on Flickr.com Creative Commons
Dance Rehearsal 7-19-09 22: stevendepolo / Steven Depolo on Flickr.com Creative Commons
Surrey Celebration Dance Team [one guy]: Dance Photographer/ Brendan on Flickr.com Creative Commons
See? I can dance!: ^riza^ / Riza Nugraha on Flickr.com Creative Commons
Fan Dance: morbuto / Janek Mann on Flickr.com Creative Commons
Ukrainian Gypsy Dance: Steve Nimmons on Flickr.com Creative Commons