Taking Private Skating Lessons with Coach Amanda will prepare you to be the best skater you can be! 

It all starts with Basic skating skills

The basis of all skating programs are basic skating skills.  This includes basic skills like forward and backward stroking, crossovers, turns, edges etc.  Basic skating can refer to everything from skills taught in group learn to skate classes, to components of an IJS program.  Basic skills is also the beginner level of competition from tots – freeskate 6.

Then progresses to Moves in the field

Eight levels of moves in the field from pre preliminary through senior, allow the skater to further develop and master basic skating skills which are necessary to be successful as a competitor at any level.

Through 20+ years of coaching, and many successful moves in the field tests, Amanda has developed processes and exercises for every pattern from forward stroking in pre-preliminary through the senior test serpentine step sequence.  These exercises are customizable to assist every unique learning style and adapt to every skill level.

Moves in the field are essential not only for the competitive skater, but also for the synchronized team skater.  It is most certainly not a requirement for a skater to compete as a solo skater.  There are opportunities for skaters to compete on a synchronized skating team so they compete on ice with a team instead of solo.  In both cases, Moves in the field tests must be passed before the skater will be allowed to compete at each successive level.

Skaters with Edge IQ are put on a path to complete each level of MIF as quickly as the skater is able to master the elements of each pattern.  Amanda firmly believes in paying attention to the most minute detail of a pattern in order to help the skater acquire the most skating knowledge and get the highest possible points awarded when testing / competing.

Learn to Jump and Spin like a champion 

Edge IQ believes strongly in the theory of “learn it right the first time”.  This means it isn’t a race to learn jumps and spins as fast as possible, but rather a design to learn each jump and spin in a specific order and with an eye on creating a strong skill base for the progression of higher levels spins and jumps in the future.

This close attention to detail in the learning of the basic jumps and spins creates skills the skater can not only be proud to display, but will make the learning of the more advanced jumps and spins into a faster more rewarding process.  Edge IQ believes every skater can learn basic jumps and spins that are technically excellent, regardless of what natural skills are or are not present.  As long as the skater is willing and able to fully commit to the learning process, they will be successful.

Edge IQ also believes skating is not a one size fits all learning process.  Through years of experience, including during Amanda’s own skating, many different techniques were learned and employed to get the best out of every skill and every skater.  The successful outcome will be the same, but the path to getting there will be different for each unique skater.

Learn to Ice Dance

Whether it’s a requirement to compete as a synchronized skater, a tool to develop musicality and edges, or a skater intends to compete as an ice dancer, compulsory ice dancing makes every skater better.  Ice dance patterns are learned as a solo skater, then paired with a professional ice dance partner for testing.  Each pattern is set to specific music, and these patterns are named for the type of music played.  Skaters are exposed to all genres of dance music from waltzes to foxtrots to swings and tangos.

Skaters learn many skills from ice dancing including: proper posture, musical timing, edge control, and extension.   Similarly to moves in the field, testing through the USFS ice dance structure takes years and lots of dedication.  Yet, it’s extremely rewarding.  Keeping time with the music is an absolute requirement, as is pristine extension,

Ready to take the take the competition world by storm? 

For skaters who would like to or are already competing, Edge IQ believes the focus has to be on quality of skill.  This includes everything from each crossover, to the music selection, to each perfectly executed jump and spin.  Without quality of skill, there won’t be any great performances, there won’t be any wins.  While the focus of competing is to do your best even when you aren’t going to win, everyone wants to win.  Judges will judge according to the level appropriate elements, but it’s important to remember all judging is still subjective.  Putting out the best possible version of each skill is of vital importance to success in competing.

On Ice testing

Required for all levels of skaters, from group class testing to moves in the field, freeskate and ice dance testing, every skater must be tested.  Edge IQ provides all the information necessary to be successful at all levels of testing.  This includes information about how to join skate schools, USFS basic skills, and USFS local member clubs.  Other important information includes what to wear, when and where to go for testing, how to set up critiques.

Close relationships with the local testing and judging community allows skaters to stay on top of dates for upcoming tests and sign up information.

Parents and skaters are made fully aware of goal dates and setting up expectations for skaters to be successful within the set time period.

On and off-ice skills assessment

A fair and honest assessment of each skater’s abilities relative to their current competitive / test level is an important aspect of being a successful skater.  It’s important for a skater to be challenged to improve their skills, but competing at too high a level for the skater to be competitive will only lead to disappointment.  Equally difficult is failing a test over and over because of a skater lacking the necessary skill refinement.  Amanda can fairly assess these important aspects of a skater’s current abilities.  This can include on ice and off ice assessment to determine where the adjustments in training need to be made for success.

If you would like an assessment of your skater to determine at what level they should currently be competing / testing, or to determine adjustment points in a skater’s off ice training regimen contact Amanda at edgeiqskating@gmail.com.