When to leave Learn to Skate classes

[cameocooper]

I have to decide weather or not I will be enrolling again in learn to skate class. My rink currently as an adult only class where all levels are accepted, I have been going to the last class for the last couple of years and have never felt out of place, but recently a lot of the people that I started with have left. and the class seems to be getting down to more beginners than anything else. I have had an coach tell me that I don't need the learn to skate anymore, and some of the coaches have been single me out in the class (usually about my speed & power or lack of). I do take an private already but can't make it to the rink anymore of the times that they have privates and sometimes I feel out of place on club ice has I will be the only adult in the session (so more private is not an option)

Was wondering when people left learn to skate. The class does not really follow any learn to skate program, but we are tested to certain levels. currently, I only have to master my Jumps( Loop, toe loop, split. salchow & flip) back spin, spread eagle & camel spin (which I almost have) then I will be complete finish the program. So on ISI program I would be freestyle 3/4 where as the next highest skater would be just learning freestyle 1.

I sometimes really enjoy the classes and the coaches will teach me the skill that I need to work on, but it is really limited. but just sometimes the coach will make comment that imply that I should not be there. 

I know going over moves is good for my technique, but when should you just leave learn to skate classes behind?


Mod note: topic moved to On The Boards forum.

[axelwylie]

It is totally your call on whether you want to keep going. If you are still learning tips getting value from the classes, then stay.

For what it's worth, I am still enrolled in a learn to skate class. Although I technically passed the usfsa freestyle 6 level about 10 years ago, I enjoy getting tips on elements from a variety of coaches. My private coach has a different style / technique, and I like getting different perspectives.

Hope that helps.

[fsk8r]

Why do you feel out of place on club ice by being the only adult? I learnt a long time ago that because I work fulltime, the times I will skate I may be the only adult skater on the ice. I'm never made to feel out of place. The kids respect you for learning how to skate as do the coaches. What I find has happened though is that having been the only adult on the ice, there are now more sessions with at least one or two other adults on as it encourgages them to go to those sessions.

[lutefisk]

LTS group lessons can be like attending an one room school house.  If you are the most advanced student, the coach will generally give you something to work on, off to the side, and then turn most or his/her attention towards the neediest beginner skaters.  Whether or not you can thrive in an environment with just an occasional word or two of instruction hinges upon how much of a "self starter" you are.  Most people leave group lessons and seek out a private coach once they master the basics.  In the long run it's more efficient to go one on one with a coach and have their undivided attention for 30 minutes.  It also helps to have a little notebook in your pocket.  It's amazing how quickly coaching wisdom, so clear one minute, escapes from your memory bank.

[mamabear]

I think it depends on what goal the LTS program is filling for you.  You already take a private lesson so this isn't just about learning skills right?  I switched when I felt like the LTS class was trying to cover too many levels and I wasn't getting my money's worth-I switched to private lessons with the same instructor I had for group class and it's worked out well. 

But, as I'm reading your post it sounds like participating in LTS also gets you additional ice time because of the timing of sessions at your rink and your job.  It it still means you are getting more ice time and that can't be fulfilled in a different way-I would stay with it. 

[littlerain]

I really enjoyed reading everyone's opinions so far. I've been considering this lately too, and am totally finding it to be a tough decision!

I do think that the benefit of taking class is the opportunity for ice time and another coach's perspective. I can't say if the time/money would be more worthwhile put towards more practice or lessons, but I suppose every person is different.

I'm curious to hear more people's thoughts!

[robinsnest]

I have been in an Adult 6 class (the last group class offered for adults) for over a year because it gets me after-work ice time once a week that is usually not available any other night.  Some weeks the class is not so great for me, and my private coach has hinted it is time to move on ("how many times have you taken Adult 6 now???"), but without it I would be missing an hour of ice time per week that could not be easily made up any other way.  I have made a lot of friends in the group and it is fun to see them every week.  My private coach is really a dance coach, so our time is focused on moves and dance.  Not sure how far I want to go with freestyle, but the group class gives me a chance to get some tips on my jumps here and there.

[PinkLaces]

I am in an adult group lesson that is multiple levels. We do a group warm up and then the 2 instructors float around between the 6 of us. I usually get my turn in the last 15 minutes of class. This week it was last 15 minutes for 5 minutes. Then the last 5 minutes.  It gets a bit frustrating when you pay the same amount and get way less attention.

That said, I get another hour of ice a week. It is a really quiet session with just the six of us. I have made some nice skating friends. I treat it as practice ice when I am not being coached.

To me extra ice time is worth it. Just set your expectations about how much instruction/coaching you are going to get. If someone says anything, just say, it's one of the few ice times that work with my schedule.

[Doubletoe]

If I were in your situation, I would quit the group class and start taking private lessons.  One reason is because you are at a different level than everyone else in the class so the instructor has to split his/her time between giving you things to work on and giving everyone else things to work on.  You're only getting half a class as a result.  The second reason is that group classes are usually limited to a small portion of the ice surface so you can't work on doing jumps and moves at speed or on a normal sized pattern.  Maybe it's time to start developing that skill?

[Christy]

I think a lot depends on how the class is structured and what your expectations are. If you know that the coaches can't spend much time with you but you are happy to view the session as extra ice and you are able to practice the skills you want to then you should continue. If the sessions aren't meeting your requirements then it may be time to stop.
If the coaches are suggesting you shouldn't be there then I'd ask them why - if it's because the coach feels they can't give you the time then you need to decide if you actually need them (as you are having private lessons anyway) or if you are happy with just getting the time on the ice.

[icedancer]

Another thing is - some rinks offer more Learn to Skate classes that are more like "Specialty Classes" - our rink does this under the umbrella of Learn-To-Skate -

This week I took three "classes" - Patch Class (aka Coffee Club - aka Figures Class) - Theater on Ice class and Moves in the Field Class.  All levels - loads of fun - and for the Patch class - basically a practice session with a coach floating around helping out - it is great!

[ChristyRN]

Is moving up to FS1 not an option? Or a bridge class?

[nicklaszlo]

sometimes I feel out of place on club ice has I will be the only adult in the session

You shouldn't.  It is fine to be the only adult on a session.  I hope nobody is telling you otherwise.

[amy1984]

I know that jump to club ice is tough.  You feel like everyone is staring even though they're not.  You sort of stick out.

I moved out of Adult Skate because the program at my rink was changing and putting us on with the regular session so I just decided to get my own coach and choose my own times instead of staying in the program.  It was nerve wracking at first, but it gets easier.

[cameocooper]

Unfortunately I g to the only rink in town which has one patch of ice and is extremely hockey focus. so much so that they will cancel figure for hockey. so freestyle or specialist classes are unavailable. I can't do anymore privates has the  time that the club has privates I am at work. The pros with the group class is that one of the coaches is a really good jump coach, where my private coach focuses more on the move in the field and edge work and technique. we have a two hour session after the lesson which we are able to use, but it is public and sometimes has church groups show up, and I am constant being asked the question "How do I skate". In the warm up I generally has free range and can do what I want to warm up. The cons with the group classes is sometimes the other student will get in my way in warm up & I had a issue with learning a three turn, where I was left only and learnt a bracket instead of a three turn (hard thing to relearn).

If I don't do the class I have nothing to replace it with, and would likely still attend the public session after, has it seems to be the public session with the least frames, which I have had some serious accidents with.

The issue with the freestyle is I have limited peripheral vision, I don't want to take out my of the club's star skaters, whereas in public sessions most people get out of my way.

Most of the coaches are lovely and the skaters, I just don't want to be a nuisance to the group coach by making extra work for them, by having to do two things at once. The comment was made by my previous group coach who I know outside of skating, not any current coaches.

[nicklaszlo]

The issue with the freestyle is I have limited peripheral vision

Maybe ice dance would help?

[Query]

I don't know if this will help - but moving your head around, and consciously looking around a lot, can help peripheral vision. In any given millisecond we all actually only see well a very small part of the time-integrated "field of view" that we think we see. I think I have relatively poor peripheral vision, and relatively slow reflexes, though I'm not sure how much was learned behavior, from reading too much rather than playing sports as a kid, and working with computers. I've now learned to consciously look around a lot while I drive, as well as when I jog or skate. It helps me see dangers at the edge of vision, and gives me more lead time to deal with them. It's a big deal, at least for me. Give it a try?

(BTW people say that hockey uses peripheral vision a lot, so it might not be the optimal way to go.)

If you have the opportunity to skate during weekday mid-day sessions - public or freestyle - they have a lot fewer people, and are a lot safer. It seems to me that people are more careful and considerate of each other during those uncrowded public sessions than any freestyle and Dance sessions, though that must depend on the rink.

Some adults find it possible to take classes with kids, and that might be an solution to having learned all the skills in your rink's adult classes. Some rinks also offer specialty classes and clinics on things not covered in the usual lessons. Hope you find a good option.