Moving up levels in figure skating....?

Question

I've been skating only for 3 weeks so far (3 times, once a week), and it's in group lessons. Also, I'm 13. I can do most of the basic skills, but I'm in adult intro. I've learned to do back and front swizzles, gliding on 1 and two feet, and we're working on crossovers? Why are we working on crossovers at the intro level? In this rink it says there is intro, pre-alpha, etc. But I thought you did crossovers and stuff later. When is the coach supposed to move you up? At the end of the 13 weeks? And after the 13 weeks, does he just move you up 1 level or the level that he/she thinks your at? Also, in my class there are 30 year olds....should I switch to kid lessons? Please help me out, and please leave as much info as you can.

Answer 1

I used to teach an advanced learn to skate class and I had students in my class that ranged from 8 years old all the way up to adults. Because this class encompassed 4 levels of skating I was able to move people along as they were ready to do so.

In your case, I would stay in the adult class. It sounds like you're being taught skills in a very progressive manor and I think you'll be fine. When it comes to learning skills on ice it's been my experience that there isn't much difference between the learning styles of someone 13 and someone 30. It's all about the person.

If you're progressing quickly your coach may start throwing new skills at you from higher levels and then officially move you up at the end of 13 weeks to the level where you should be.

Answer 2

First of all, you have to skate at whatever is confortable for you. If you feel like the adult lessons are moving to fast or you just want to be in a class with people closer to your age then you should switch to kids lessons. I started skating when I was 8 (about 6 years ago). I started with the basic skills lessons. At our rink the only people that skate the adult lessons are the parents of skaters, or the people over 18. Everyone else does the kid lessons, whether you are 8 or 18. I think that you would get more out of the kid lessons. They go through a lot more individual skills that will help to do better when you get to the more advanced skills.

Answer 3

Yes i would definitely consider moving to kid lessons there might be little kids like 5-6 year olds but dont worry moving up levels you'll pass right by them.Adult classes adults dont learn as fast as kids so you'd b better off in the kid lessons probably if your rink has a learn to skate class do that im 13 too and i do learn to skate.If you've considered it ask your coach about private lessons you learn so much more.And crossovers are good to learn early you need them for everything i promise.Some coaches will move u up in the middle of the 13 weeks and other coaches will wait till its over when they know your ready to move up and if you have 2 move up multiple levels they'll move u up to them.I'd imagine from what u said u'd probably be in about basic 3 or 4.I hope what i said helps thats just what i know from my experiences with group lessons

Answer 4

It's hard to say since I have no idea how your rink works, ie who runs the classes and if your boss runs the skating programs but at my rink, we have an assistant coach program that all of the club's skaters can sign up for when they turn 11 and get to a certain level. And if I'm 16, then I can take a coaching course and become an official coach. You may or may not need training to become a coach at your rink, so if I were you, I would either ask your boss or directly ask the coaches at the rink how you can get to their job. Also, many rinks that my friends and I skate at require their coaches to be 16 or 18, and you must have completed a certain number of figure skating tests and levels. You should take the job for now incase you don't fulfill the requirements of becoming a coach yet.

Answer 5

maybe you should consider moving to kid lessons. when I was your age I was approximately the level you seem to be at, and I was fine. I don't know about your adult classes, but in the adult classes at my rink (they use the USFSA Learn-to-Skate; I don't know about intro but pre-alpha is an ISI level so you're probably using a different learning system), they tend to be more focused on learning things you need for ice dance (which more adults are interested in, although it's cool for people of any age) and less focused on learning spins, jumps and other freeskating moves. so if you want to be a singles skater, you would probably want to go to the kids lessons.

when the coach moves you up varies by coach and by your ability. for instance, if you're at one level with Coach A and it's really easy for you and you learn everything in 2 weeks, Coach A might start you on the next level. but if you're at another level with Coach B and it's equally easy for you and you learn everything in 2 weeks again, Coach B might not start you on the next level because they think it would be good for you to keep practicing the easy level. it all depends.

(note: if your coach is starting you on crossovers this early, thank him/her. they're used in just about everything, and the earlier you can successfully learn them, the better for your skating.)
(second note: you have 30 year olds in your adult class? cool... the adult class at my rink is mostly either in their early 20s or over 40. Way, way over 40. Like, 70 (seriously!))

Answer 6

In adult intro level, they kinda rush u into things. They think you need experience fast cuz you're starting late. Crossovers are cool once u know how to do them. I'm a retired ice skater.

Answer 7

Yeah, They are rushing you a lot. I'm in Freestyle 3 but I have been skating since I was 6..soo..I think you should switch to kids lessons. They will give you hand on hand info in a more shorter explanation.