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Terms used:

Board

The board of Directors of Skate Canada.

Club

A not-for-profit organization that is operating for the general purpose of providing Skate Canada skating programs and is managed by a volunteer board of directors.

Clubs

A not-for-profit organization that is operating for the general purpose of providing Skate Canada skating programs and is managed by a volunteer board of directors.

Good Standing

The state or condition of a person who has paid all dues outstanding to Skate Canada, a Club, or a Skating School (as applicable) and whom the Board has not declared not to be in good standing and in the case of Members, a Member whose Membership has not been terminated pursuant to Article 3 hereof.

Registrant

Includes (i) an individual who is registered by a Club or Skating School with Skate Canada and who is subject to all applicable rules, regulations and policies of Skate Canada but who is not a Member; and (ii) an individual who is engaged in any activity provided, sponsored, supported, sanctioned or recognized by Skate Canada and registered directly with Skate Canada but who is not a Member.

Segment

The name given to a portion of an event.  Some categories have two segments (e.g., short program and free program) and some categories have only one segment.

Skating School

An organization other than a Club that is operating for the general purpose of providing Skate Canada skating programs.

Step

The visible tracing on the ice that is executed on one foot. A step is counted each time there is a change of foot.

As with all Skate Canada programs, clubs and skating schools must adhere to the Skate Canada Requirements and Delivery Standards assigned to STAR 1-5.

Requirements:

  • Ensure a minimum of one NCCP Regional Coach In-training coach or higher, on the ice always, who is registered and in good standing
  • All coaches teaching the STAR 1-5 program must be wearing skates
  • All participants must be registered with Skate Canada
  • All Program Assistants (PAs) on the ice must be wearing skates and be registered with Skate Canada1
  • All participants in a sled must be wearing a helmet
  • Operate and deliver the STAR 1-5 program in accordance with the minimum delivery standards identified by Skate Canada

STAR 1-5 (Learn to Train for Figure Skating)

 

Minimum Delivery Standards

Advanced Delivery Standards
Coach Directed Time

Program designed to include the minimum expectations for coach directed time:

  • STAR 1-2: 75%
  • STAR 3-4: 50%
  • STAR 5: 25%

Provide 25% of training time in a class format

Program designed to exceed minimum expectations at all levels (STAR 1 through 5).

 

Provide more than 25% of training time in class formats

Movement 90% movement during all session time

Greater than 90% movement throughout the session.

Note: Skaters receiving 1 on 1 individual attention do not affect movement percentage, if the rest of the group is moving.
Music

Age appropriate music for entire session including:

  • Pattern Dance music
  • Program Music

Age appropriate music for the session that is fun, energizing and contains signals to indicate session segment changes.

Program Assistants

Use program assistants as required.

All program assistants on the ice must be in skates.

All minimum standards plus:

  • Program assistants are used to supervise stations, lead circuits and demonstrate skills.
Program Assistant Training Ensure program assistants are trained before assisting on the ice with a minimum of one training per season. 

Offer multiple training sessions throughout the season to engage, support and monitor development of the program assistants.

Ensure program assistants' re award of the Emergency Action Plan of the club or skating school
Teaching Aids

Use of teaching aids as required.

Use of a variety of teaching aids that engages the skaters learning and interest.
Session Format

All sessions have a set plan for warm up and cool down whether it be in class form or a private plan for the skater.

Skaters are provided instruction in all disciplines: Freeskate, Dance, Skills, Artistic and Synchronized Skating

All minimum standards plus:

  • Full ice surface is being used for the session and is available to all skaters in this program.
  • Provide variety in programming format to keep the sessions motivating, challenging and inspiring to meet the needs of the skater’s development.

Session Format: Warm Up

Use of full ice.

Include forward and backward skating in both directions.

Warm up may also be included as a class or individual activity off the ice.

All minimum standards plus:

  • Inclusion of deep knee bends.
  • Evidence of increased heart rate in participants.
  • Use of lanes or similar pattern to increase range of motion and balance.

Session Format: Lesson Time

All skaters are offered coach directed time in all disciplines on a regularly scheduled basis. 

Evidence of Stations, Lanes, circuits etc. under coach direction.

All minimum standards plus:

  • Provide a variety of formats for learning. This could include: Stations, Classes, Group lessons, Private/semi-private lessons.
 

Session Format: Cool Down

Evidence of gliding stretches to increase range of motion and lower heart rate, for example: Toe touch while gliding (hamstring stretch). Cool down may also be included as a class or individual activity off the ice.

 All minimum standards plus:

  • Use of lanes or similar pattern to increase range of motion and balance.
  • Use of slower music to support lowered heart rate.
 Quality Coaching

Coach ensures that each skater on the session receives one on one attention during the lesson time. 

 

Coaches know and teach the standards of the skills as per the STAR 1-5 Resource Toolkit and videos.

All minimum standards, plus:

Coach gives each skater:

  • Individual feedback
  • Individual corrections
  • Individual challenges based on their level of development

Introduce technology to enhance the learning environment for skill analysis.

Assessment

Assess skaters when ready to ensure solid development.

Establish an assessment procedure with coaches that outlines a clear process.

Skater receives result and assessment sheet on day of assessment.

Results are submitted to Skate Canada in an appropriate and timely manner (once a month).

All minimum standards plus:

  • Results are filed within one week following assessment online.
Branding and marketing  

Must advertise and refer to the program as STAR and use the official STARSkate logo.

Use the official Skate Canada Assessment sheets.
 

All minimum standards plus:

  • Use ALL Skate Canada STAR/ tools and promotional materials
Parent Information Sessions  

Offer a minimum of 1 parent information or interaction session per season.

Offer a written source of information about the program and other club opportunities (Info letter, website, bulletin board, etc.).

Offer multiple opportunities for parents to connect with the coaches. This could include but is not limited to:
  • In-person information session
  • In-person progress update opportunities
  • In-person “next steps” touch base to guide skaters into next appropriate step in their development
  • Overview of the Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

Offer several written sources of information about the program and other club opportunities (inf letter, website, bulletin board, etc.).

Off Ice Classes

Offer off ice classes to increase physical literacy, awareness and coordination.

Note: Off ice classes can be used for Warm Up and/or Cool Down
 

All minimum standards plus:

Offer a well-rounded content in off ice training that include physical and mental training. Examples include:

  • Off ice jump technique
  • Goal setting
  • Dance class – ballet, creative movement etc.
  • Flexibility
  • Nutrition, Hydration, Sleep
  • Etc.

1PA’s who are in attendance on the session solely to work with an Adaptive Skater directly, do not have to pay the Skate Canada registrant fee. The Adaptive skater must be a registered participant. The club/school should collect the name, contact information and date of birth of the PA. An example of this would be a skater has an assistant from school who is best able to assist the skater on a CanSkate session, but they are not a participant in the club/school in any other capacity. This aide would not pay the Skate Canada registrant fee, but the skater must be a registrant of the club.