Changing coaches is one of the most difficult decisions a skater in any inline or roller skating discipline ever has to make. Many times a change is needed because of re-location of the coach or skating family, a change of discipline or additional services needed. These are easy moves and are usually done with the help of recommendations by the former coach. In other cases where personal needs, technical requirements, personality issues or even real or perceived ethics problems are involved, a coaching change may be a very hard transition to make.

 The reasons for changing your roller sports coach may be as simple as just the right time to make a change.

Inline and roller skating coaches understand that all athletes will make coaching changes. Competitive skating is a business. Losing students is sometimes part of doing business.

Difficulty: Hard

Time Required: As soon as your decision is confirmed

The Proper Procedures for Changing Skating Coaches

Following these steps will help you make the switch to a new roller sports coach and still maintain a comfortable relationship within the rink or training facility. All parents, coaches and skaters should have a clear understanding of the procedures so when this situation arises, and the accepted policy is already established.

Some ice rinks have coaches sign an agreement to conduct business in a professional and ethical manner as defined by the Professional Skaters Association. And many roller sports clubs follow similar guidelines. If unethical behavior is observed and documented, the coach may lose their teaching privileges.

Parents should also have a written guideline provided to them when they begin private lessons. This policy should be available at all times in the rink office and in a procedure handbook.

Parents/Adult Skaters:

1. Contact your current coach and express your reasons for wanting to switch to another coach. If you really like your coach, discuss any minor problems, real or perceived, with him or her first to provide an opportunity to resolve them. There may be a way to correct the situation and the need to switch could be resolved before a change is necessary. Sometimes little things can be adjusted. Usually bigger issues are a part of their teaching technique or personality and cannot be changed.
2. If problems can not be resolved, choose the next coach very carefully. Do not rush out in a fit of emotion over one incident and make a change without doing your homework.
3. Discuss this change with your child. Make sure that he/she is comfortable with the changes you are about to make.
4. Do not start working with another coach before telling your current one that you are making a change. It may seem like a good idea to try another coach before making a break, but that is not acceptable and will cause hard feelings for everyone involved as well as confusion for the skater.
5. Once you have made the final decision, your old coach should be the first person to know.
6. Notify the former coach in person or by phone. Do not send an email or phone message to dismiss the old coach.
7. Do not hurt the former coach's feelings by trying to explain why you are making a change. Any reason given will not be sufficient to keep the coach from feeling bad.
8. Be sure to offer thanks for the good things about the coaching experience.
9. Make sure that you have paid your account balance in full with your current coach.

Future Coach

1. Direct your new skating client to first make contact with the former coach.
2. When you are sure this has been done, contact the current coach yourself, and make sure there is no possible resolution to the situation.
3. Confirm that all outstanding balances are paid in full with the current coach prior to scheduling any lessons. No lessons should be given prior to receiving confirmation of account status. There are often exceptions and discrepancies. These need to be handled on a case by case basis.
4. Respect what the former coach has done for the skater. If technique changes need to be made, do so without degrading the former coach's method.
5. Support your fellow coaches. Staff meetings are helpful to discuss these procedures and numerous other topics related to a happy and successful environment within the rink.

Skaters:

1. Switching coaches, if the above procedures are followed, should not affect the skater's relationship with other skaters (except regarding working in groups).
2. Do not isolate or make an outcast of a skater who has switched from your coach to another coach.
3. Do not encourage others to switch from their current coach.
4. Treat all skaters with equal respect.
5. While in the rink or training venue, everyone must follow the same set of rules.

Tips:

1. Do not be surprised if feelings are hurt anyway.
2. Make sure all coaching fees to the former coach are paid in full.
3. The skating world is very small, so try to remain on good terms with your old coach.