Coach

Coaches are responsible for teaching and inspiring competitive and recreational skaters, sharing the joy of figure skating and creating a lifelong love of the sport. A coach is an instructor, a role model and a support system, and U.S. Figure Skating adheres to high standards of excellence for its coaching community. Here you will find information on how to become a coach, as well as various resources to help coaches be the best they can be for their athletes.

Become a Coach

Become a U.S. Figure Skating Coach

(For the 2024-25 season) 

All coaches interested in coaching at U.S. Figure Skating sanctioned events must start by completing the U.S. Figure Skating Coach Core Certification course, now available through Members Only.  The Core course provides all of the fundamentals needed to become a coach. After completing the Core Certification Course, coaches are eligible to join U.S. Figure Skating Coach I.C.E., the program for the education, development, and certification of coaches.  Beginning with the 2024-25 season, in order to coach at sanctioned events, all coaches must complete the Core Certification and join U.S. Figure Skating Coach I.C.E. 

In addition to those professional requirements, coaches must also complete a background check, complete training through the U.S. Center for SafeSport and have coaches liability insurance.  All requirements can be accessed through a member's profile on Members Only. 

Click here for U.S. Figure Skating coach compliance requirements. 

Become a Learn to Skate USA® Instructor

A common step in becoming a figure skating coach is to join Learn to Skate USA® as an instructor and work with your local Learn to Skate USA® program to introduce new skaters to the ice. Each program has its own coaching requirements, but basic requirements set forth by Learn to Skate USA® include a Learn to Skate USA® instructor membership, background check and completion of the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s online SafeSport™ Training for all instructors over the age of 18. All Learn to Skate USA® instructors 17 and younger must have a Learn to Skate USA® instructor membership and must take the instructor certification course and exam.

Compliant Learn to Skate instructors may coach on club ice (with club permission), and at Compete USA competition events.

Learn to Skate coaches have access to liability insurance through U.S. Figure Skating's partner carrier after joining as an instructor. 

Become a Learn to Skate USA® Instructor

Click here for Learn to Skate USA® instructor compliance requirements,

Coach Development Pathway

Accreditation program that assures a measurable level of knowledge and expertise

U.S. Figure Skating is committed to providing coach development pathway for all certified U.S. Figure Skating coaches through the Coach I.C.E. (Inspiring Coaching Excellence) program.  After completing their Core Certification Course, all coaches wishing to coach at sanctioned U.S. Figure Skating events must join Coach I.C.E.  

We launched the Coach Core Certification course in February 2024, and the Coach I.C.E. program in June 2024. Click here for more information on the new U.S. Figure Skating coach pathway.

U.S. Figure Skating coaches participate in professional development by earning increasingly higher level accreditations and keeping those accreditations active through Continuing Education Units (CEUs).  

Step 1

All coaches start by taking the U.S. Figure Skating Core Coach Certification Course.  This online module is designed to teach coaches the core fundamentals of everything they need to know about coaching, including understanding the process, coach and athlete well-being, coaching best practices, coaching essential fundamentals, and general technique concepts.  

Once a coach passes this course, they are eligible to join Coach I.C.E. 

Step 2

After completing the U.S. Figure Skating Core Coach Certification Curse, coaches join Coach I.C.E., which activates the Core Certification, and grants access to education and a development pathway.  Annually, to keep their certification active, they must complete CEUs of their choice.  Options include all the education opportunities, including in-person seminars, eLearning courses and virtual webinars and seminars, as well as earning an appointment as a test judge or technical specialist.  All virtual options will be included in the price of the Coach I.C.E. member package.  

Step 3

Coaches are encouraged to pursue higher levels of certification within the Coach I.C.E. program:  

Accreditations will be offered in multiple disciplines including singles, pairs, ice dance, synchronized skating and specialty areas such as choreography, skating skills, theatre on ice and Learn to Skate USA. 

All coaches who previously held an active rating through the Professional Skaters Association (PSA) will be granted an accreditation at their parallel level, after having completed the U.S. Figure Skating Core Certification. 

• U.S. Figure Skating Accredited Coach – Level 1  
• U.S. Figure Skating Accredited Coach – Level 2  
• U.S. Figure Skating Accredited Coach – Senior  
• U.S. Figure Skating Accredited Coach – Master 

Coach Education

Provide affordable and individualized opportunities for professional growth

U.S. Figure Skating Coach I.C.E

Coach I.C.E. is U.S. Figure Skating's coach education, certification and development program, for Inspiring Coaching Excellence.

The integration of coaches into U.S. Figure Skating, as members of Coach I.C.E., will be a key component in growing the sport by requiring that coaches are active, engaged partners of U.S. Figure Skating. Coach I.C.E., will include a Coaches Council for governance and a headquarters team that will focus on implementing coach education, certification and development.  

How to join:  

• 1: Members can log onto Members Only, and click the blue “Coach” button on the landing page to complete the U.S. Figure Skating Coach Core Certification course. 

• 2: After you have completed step 1 and joined U.S. Figure Skating through a club or as an individual, purchase “U.S. Figure Skating Coach I.C.E.” at the same place on the website that you purchased the Core Certification Course.

• 3: Navigate to the compliance tab in your Members Only profile and complete any remaining coach compliance requirements, such as your background check, SkateSafe training, insurance and waivers. The Coach role will not show in your compliance until you have joined the Coach I.C.E. program.

• 4: From the Coach tab of your Members Only profile coaches can navigate to learning activities, take courses, etc. These will count towards your CEUs that keep your certification/accreditation active. Watch for the Coach newsletters that include information including rule changes and links to live webinars!

Coach Education is delivered to Coach ICE members in the following formats: 

The Coaches Studio 

Live, interactive webinars or discussions on pre-determined topics for coaches. All webinars are recorded and posted to the Video Vault and Community. Registration information is distributed in the U.S. Figure Skating coaches newsletter. 

These sessions will take place at the following times: 

• The third Wednesday of each month at 8 p.m. ET 

• The second or fourth Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m. ET, for discipline/program specific information 

• Additional virtual coaches colleges or workshops throughout the season

eLearning Platform

Asynchronous, interactive online courses that coaches can take on their time to enhance their learning. Coaches can access through their Coach Profile on Members Only (click on the blue "Coach" button after logging in).

Coaches Video Vault and Community

Video platform that stores webinars, videos and documents for coaches to access on their own time. Coaches can access through their Coach Profile on Members Only (click on the blue "Coach" button after logging in).

In-Person Seminars, Conferences and Workshops 

Save the Date!  

2025 Access to Excellence National Coaches College
When: May 14-17, 2025
Where: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Registration opens in late fall.

CoachConnect Live! 

Coach I.C.E. members receive discounted all-event tickets with practice passes to major U.S. Figure Skating events. Seating is in the same area and includes guided discussion and networking.  

Coach Information

Relevant real-time access to high-impact resources

One of the key responsibilities of a coach is to guide their students’ skating programs and skill progression to ensure that they are both satisfying the rules for competition and test entry, for the content of their programs, as well as maximizing and showcasing their strengths for maximum success. Coaches will receive regular newsletters and eblasts with needed information as it occurs.

Coaches should be familiar with the following: 

• U.S. Figure Skating Rulebook
• Appropriate handbooks or rules for any events or series their athletes participate in:  
  • National Qualifying Series  
  • Excel Series Rules 
  • Solo Dance Series Rules 
  • Collegiate Rules   
• Competition Program Requirements 
• Singles Skating – Skating Rules and Technical Information 
• Pairs Skating – Skating Rules and Technical Information  
• Ice Dance – Skating Rules and Technical Information 
• Synchronized Skating – Skating Rules and Technical Information   
• Adult Skating – Skating Rules and Technical Information 
• Technical Notifications (updates to rules; updated every Thursday) 
• Test Forms (for understanding the expectations of tests) 

Coach Support

Tools to promote and facilitate business growth

Coach I.C.E. Resources

• Coaches Journey
• Three Reasons to Get Excited About Coach I.C.E.
• Coach I.C.E. FAQs
• Coach I.C.E. Benefits
• Coaches Insurance Program
• Using Your Coach I.C.E. Membership

U.S. Figure Skating Coaching Standards of Professionalism

Coaches are entrusted with a wonderful duty. They are a huge influence on all skaters in their rink, and they are a representative of the sport. As such, coaches are expected to conduct themselves with integrity and hold themselves to the highest standards of excellence and professionalism. U.S. Figure Skating requires each coach to adhere to the following Standards of Professionalism.

U.S. Figure Skating Coaching Standards of Professionalism

Coach Recognition

Public acknowledgment and celebration of quality coaching and achievements

Coming in October 2024, U.S. Figure Skating will announce awards for our coaching community, recognizing a wide variety of coaches throughout the skating community.  This will be in addition to Coach of the Year, Developmental Coach of the Year, Choreographer of the Year, etc.  

Three U.S. Figure Skating Coaches Honored Through USOPC Coach of the Year Recognition Program

Coach Impact

Provide a voice and representation within U.S. Figure Skating

Coaching Leadership

The U.S. Figure Skating Coaches Council consists of 27 coach members, including a chair and leadership team of six vice chairs.  The council reflects the broad experiences of the coaching community within U.S. Figure Skating, including coaching at all levels, from Learn to Skate USA, through high performance development, national and international, as well as all skating disciplines and programs.  

The current council was appointed by the U.S. Figure Skating Board of Directors and will hold office until May 2025, at which time, all certified U.S. Figure Skating coaches with active Coach I.C.E., memberships will elect a council.  

The Coaches Council acts as a repository of knowledge and ideas of coach members, facilitates and supports the appointments of coach members on all U.S. Figure Skating committees, serves as an advisory group and partner with the appropriate U.S. Figure Skating staff departments to develop strategy for coach certification, education and development and provides input into athlete development strategies.  Finally, members will serve as delegates representing coaches at the annual Governing Council meeting.