BASIC SKILLS
by ERIN SCHOPF Our society is big on upselling products to
customers. I’m sure you’ve been asked, “Would you like to supersize that?” and “Would you like to add an additional pair of shoes to your cart for half the price?” Or a salesperson has probably made the comment, “Tis shirt would look great with the pants you’re buying.” As Basic Skills directors, we are in the same situation as most businesses. We are in the busi- ness of skating. Our goal is to motivate young skaters to continue in our Basic Skills classes with creative and fresh programming. If for some reason a skater is not finding the
right fit in a regular Basic Skills class, it is the director’s responsibility to find a class that better fits his or her needs. We are always looking at ways to enhance our programming through cre- ative ideas and skill development. Regardless of your demographics and the market in which your programs are operating, the addition of specialty courses might be just what your Basic Skills pro- gram needs.
It is important that you understand the
needs of your customers and offer additional programming where you see fit. If a skater is ad- vancing quickly, discuss your advanced skating class options with the parents. If a child expresses interest in playing hockey, consider offering a de- velopmental hockey or power skating class. If a skater seems to enjoy the team approach of group lessons, the synchronized skating curriculum or Teatre on Ice might be nice additions to your current offerings. Other classes such as “How to Compete” and “How to Teach” could be valuable tools for higher level Basic Skills skaters and par- ents as well. Here are some suggestions and ideas for ad-
ditional classes that Basic Skills Programs have incorporated into their curriculums:
Baby Blades or Little Buddy Classes
As a director, you’ve probably noticed a sib- ling waiting for a brother or sister to get off the
Harmony Theatre Company’s preliminary Theatre on Ice team gives an entertaining performance.
Basic Skills Manager Erin Schopf teaches a Baby Blades class.
ice after his or her Snowplow Sam class. Some of the 18-month- to 2-year-olds can seem more in- terested in stepping foot on the ice than the older 3- and 4-year-olds. A great way to get them in- volved is to offer a “Baby Blades” or “Little Bud- dy” class. A “Baby Blades” class is a 20-minute on/off ice class followed by 10 minutes of story or craft time. Tis class is designed to get kids excited about getting on the ice and reduce the separation anxiety that comes with being young and trying a class without mom or dad for the first time. By experiencing class at an early age, “Baby Blades” participants transition easily when moving up to the Snowplow levels.
Find Your Feet Tis clinic is a free 15-minute mini-class
for skaters to “find their feet,” targeting skaters participating in the Snowplow 1–3, Basic 1 and Adult 1 badge programs. Te mini-clinic offers new skaters a small group or a one-on-one op- portunity to try a class without becoming over- whelmed and allows them to confirm whether the class is right for them. “Find Your Feet” can also be a good tool in evaluating skaters who have never been in a class and are unsure of which level they should register for.
Beginner Synchronized Skating Synchronized skating is the most popular
competitive discipline in U.S. Figure Skating’s
The Kalamazoo Kinetic Beginner 1 team performs a circle element. 36 MAY 2013
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