When do I add private lessons when enrolled in group classes?
by Dan Hollander
There are a few reasons as to why your skater enrolled in group classes would benefit from private lessons.
1) Struggling with an element on a certain level.
Sometimes a skater can get stuck on one element. As a little kid, I had the hardest time with a “mohawk” (a move turning forward to backward) and almost quit. I could pass everything else on that level. A few private lessons with extra practice on a difficult element can help your skater be prepared for the test at the end of the series. One rink had a great advertisement for this…”does your skater need a booster lesson?”
2) Quicker progression.
A coach must divide their attention equally among all the skaters in the group. So if you have 7 skaters in the group, you’re only getting 1/7th the attention. I find that a one on one lesson can really make the difference on how quickly a skater progresses. I had one little girl years back that some might think was “fooling around.” I knew that she was incredibly talented and simply bored. She needed to be challenged with harder moves that were not necessarily elements in the group classes. I told the mother she needed private lessons - years later she became a national pairs champion.
3) Marching to a different drum.
I have no idea how to label this section. Some people LOVE to skate, yet the structure of the building blocks of a program is simply not what they want to do, or is counter to how they learn. A private lesson can help feed that enjoyment and love by exploring moves that are not on any tests, but something that a skater has watched someone do and wants to learn.
Anytime is a great time for a private lesson!
Do you know that some skaters have never had a group lesson and simply had private lessons throughout their skating career? Group classes are a great way to be introduced to skating at a cheaper rate with other skaters to enjoy a group learning experience. Some people simply prefer one on one which is ok to.