Coaches' Resources

By Ashley Wright

The Professional Skating Association (PSA) provides an official rating system for coaches who want to validate their skating skill and teaching experience. In 2004, U.S. Figure Skating passed a mandate that required PSA membership of coaches requesting credentials for any U.S. Figure Skating qualifying event-making PSA the "official Coaches Education Certification and Training Program for U.S. Figure Skating," according to PSA's website, SkatePSA.com.

Currently, there are 4,000 ratings held by figure skating coaches nationwide.

Ratings through PSA are offered in Free Skating, Figures, Pairs, Dance, Group, Program Director, Synchronized Team, Free Dance, Choreography and Style, and Moves in the Field. They are offered at the Registered, Certified, Senior and Master levels.

Ratings consist of both written and oral examinations. More than 100 PSA educational classes are offered each year, including online courses. PSA offers both entry-level and continuing education courses. The introductory course helps new coaches to build a foundation of resources and tools in starting his or her business of professional coaching. The goals of the course is for coaches to gain knowledge of how the figure skating sport system in the United States works and the rules that govern it; the ability to produce basic lesson plans; and the ability to develop skill analysis and more.The Continuing Education courses allow coaches to meet Continuing Education Requirements (CER) for U.S. Figure Skating sanctioned events, effective July 1, 2010. The requirement is designed to "set a standard of a foundational level of education for coaches with regard to sports safety, ethics, U.S. Figure Skating rules, and International Judging System rules. Through PSA's CER program, professionals can achieve their required Annual Core Credits 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In addition, PSA also offers an Apprentice Program for skaters interested in transitioning from skater to coach. Skaters interested in becoming a coach can learn under a PSA Master-rated coach through on-ice observation of private or group lessons; on- and off-ice lessons in teaching techniques; music editing; training schedules; tests and competitions; parental interaction; and more. The Apprentice Program is offered in all disciplines and at all levels; certificates are earned according to study hours.

Professionals wanting to improve their coaching or training skills can also participate in the Apprentice Program. Application to the Apprentice Program is open to any full, associate or intern PSA member.

PSA was organized in 1938. Its current membership exceeds 6,000, including figure skating coaches, performing professionals, judges, manufacturers, officials and patrons of the sport.

For more information on PSA's Coaches Education Certification and Training Program, CER or Apprentice Program, visit www.skatepsa.com.