Madison Ice Diamonds Team Expectations 2017-18 The mission of the Madison Ice Diamonds Synchronized Skating Program is to help our skaters grow as athletes and individuals by teaching teamwork, goal setting, responsibility, discipline, and commitment in all aspects of life. 1. Skaters Responsibilities Attendance: Attendance is mandatory at all practices. This includes on and off-ice practices. Practice schedules for the whole season will be given out at the beginning of the season. Mark your calendars now! If you know your skater will have a conflict with a mandatory team practice, you must complete the absence form on your team page as soon as possible but no later than one week before the practice to be missed. If a skater misses a practice, he or she may be required to schedule a private lesson with the team coach (at your cost) to go over what was missed. If an unexpected conflict arises with a mandatory team practice (illness, emergency, etc.), you must notify the coach(es) as soon as possible, in addition to filling out the absence form on your team page. In the interest of safety for all team members, if a skater misses two or more team practices, they may be asked to not skate at the next competition/exhibition. Tardiness is not acceptable. Please arrive at the rink early enough to allow your skater enough time to be dressed in the appropriate attire and put skates on. The last two practices before a competition and exhibition are MANDATORY in order to compete with the team. In the event of severe weather, the team will be notified by email and phone as soon as a decision is made on whether practice will be held or not. Expect that any canceled practices will be made up if possible. Individual skating requirements: The team can only be as strong as its individual skaters! Skaters are required to skate outside of team practices to continue developing their skills. Art on the Edge Classes: Art on the Edge classes are intended to help each skater continue to progress, working on their skating skills, edge quality, turns, power, posture, and extension. These classes are separate from team practices. Skaters are required to take a certain number of Art on the Edge classes per month. The specific requirement depends on the level team that the skater is on. All of the skaters required Art on the Edge classes will be included in your dues. The amount of individual skating time required is dependent on team level. You will be notified what the specific requirements are for the level team that your skater is placed on in your commitment letter. Below is a general idea of the individual skating requirements: Synchro Skills 1, 2, 3 Total Skating: approximately 3-4 hours/week
Synchro practice weekly (with occasional second practice) 3 Art on the Edge classes month At least 30-60 minutes of ice time per week, can include: LTS and/or private lessons (private lessons highly encouraged at this level) LTS Express classes/additional Art on the Edge classes Goal of individual practice: continue to learn the basics of skating, keep passing the basic LTS levels, build a strong foundation of skating skills. Preliminary/Pre-Juvenile Total Skating: Approximately 4-5 hours/week Synchro practice weekly (often with a second practice) 4 Art on the Edge classes per month (starting September; summer Art on the Edge strongly encouraged) At least 1.5 additional hours of ice time per week, should include: Private lessons Additional Art on the Edge classes Working on/testing Moves in the Field (pre-pre, prelim, and pre-juv) Off ice pilates highly encouraged Goal of individual practice: continue to pass through Moves in the Field, develop more advanced figure skating skills Juv/Open Juvenile Skating time: Approximately 5-6 hours/week Synchro practice weekly (often with a second practice) Art on the Edge weekly (starting September; summer Art on the Edge strongly encouraged) 3 additional hours of freestyle ice time, should include: Private lessons Additional Art on the Edge classes Working on Moves in the Field Off ice pilates highly encouraged Goal of individual practice: continue to pass through Moves in the Field, develop more advanced figure skating skills Intermediate Skating time: Approximately 8-9 hours/week Twice weekly synchro practice Art on the Edge weekly (starting in summer) 4-5 additional hours of freestyle ice time, should include: Private lessons Additional Art on the Edge classes Working on Moves in the Field Working on Moves in the Field tests Off ice pilates required Goal of individual practice: continue to pass through Moves in the Fields, develop more advanced figure skating skills Open Adult/Masters
Individual requirements to be decided by team and coach Synchro practice weekly (with occasional second practice) Goal of individual practice: continue to pass through Moves in the Field, and develop more advanced figure skating skills. Behavior Positive behavior is expected from skaters and parents at all practices and team events. Skaters are expected to respond to directions, avoid horseplay, and to maximize the benefit of each practice. Skaters must give the coach(es) their complete attention during practices and performances. Each skater must demonstrate an attitude of cooperation, enthusiasm, and good sportsmanship. Every skater has the right to benefit from each practice session. Any skater infringing on another skater's right to learn will not be permitted to continue with practice that session. Being respectful to all teammates, coaches, parents, and managers is expected. Any disrespectful behavior will result in an appropriate consequence, including but not limited to: verbal warnings, time-outs, formal apologies, dismissal from a practice session, or dismissal from the team. o First offense: verbal reprimand by coach or team manager o Second offense: skater asked to sit in the penalty box o Third offense: skater will be asked to leave the ice. Conference with skater, parent, team manager, and coaches o Fourth offense: skater s position could be changed o Fifth offense: possible dismissal from team In order to allow the coach the ability to prepare the best program possible for the teams, it is imperative that the coach be afforded the courtesy of prompt, attentive, well-behaved skaters. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. It is each individual skater's responsibility to learn and know the program and its required skills. Skating/practicing the program outside of team practice is required. Suggestions or concerns about team members or coaches must be presented to the lead synchro chairs of the synchro committee. Parents and skaters are expected to promote a positive team attitude toward themselves and all skaters on the team and the coaches. Negative attitudes and gossip destroy the morale and success of the skaters. Any such feelings or thoughts should be discussed with the appropriate parties, to resolve any issues. Attire Appropriate attire is expected at all team practices and events. The team coach or manager will announce specific attire that is needed at competitions or exhibitions. Required practice attire (not included in dues): Plain black leggings/pants A fitted, athletic t-shirt or tank top (plain black is preferred) Skaters may wear athletic layers, such as quarter-zips and warm-up jackets (no bulky sweaters, hooded sweatshirts, flowy tops) For safety reasons, hair must be in a ponytail, and no gloves, necklaces, bracelets, dangle earrings, or other bulky jewelry can be worn. Skaters should arrive at the rink in athletic shoes (no Keds, Converse, slip-ons), regardless of if off-ice practice is scheduled. Skaters who arrive at practice in inappropriate attire will be asked to change or not skate that practice.
2. Team Plus Philosophy Team Plus is the philosophy that more skaters on a sync team is a plus! It is important and advantageous to have more skaters on a team than will skate in competition. Any skater on a team can be placed in one of four roles: permanent spot, shared spot, alternate spot, or trainer spot. Some teams will have many of these spots, while others may not. All types of skaters are considered full members of the team. All skaters will be expected to attend/participate in every competition or exhibition regardless of position type. It is a PLUS to any team to have and utilize these roles, as they allow for the opportunity to develop more skaters skills which leads to a stronger team and a stronger program. When responding to your commitment letter for the season, you are committing to your team and any one of these roles, knowing they are fluid and can change throughout the season for a variety of reasons: skill level, test level, attendance, behavior, illness/injury, financial delinquencies, or other reasons. All types of skaters are considered full members of the team. The team coach will have a discussion with both the parent and skater before a change is made. All team members are expected to participate in team events, competitions, performances, and practices. Regardless of the position name, all skaters on a team are crucial to the team s success. These roles will be decided on by the coaches after all commitments to the team are made and program choreography begins. Shared, alternate, and trainer roles will be discussed with those skaters and parents. An outline of the four positions follows: 1. Permanent spot: a skater who has a full-time position in the program. This position is not guaranteed for the entire season and may change to either shared or alternate at any time. 2. Shared spots: two skaters who share one position in the program. Shared skaters are responsible for switching in and out during practice, at intervals determined by the coach. The coaches will make every effort to rotate shared skaters evenly through competitions. Skaters will be notified of performance assignments no later than one week prior. 3. Alternate spot: a skater who does not have an assigned place in the program. Alternate skaters are immensely vital to the success of the team, as they fill in for any spot at any time (absence, injury, illness, etc.). 4. Trainer spot: a skater who is not on the official USFS roster for the team, but practices with the team. Trainers may or may not be rostered (and compete with) another team; if a trainer is rostered on another team, that team must be the priority. Skaters could be offered a trainer spot for a number of reasons, including: the skater has aged off one team, but is not ready for the next level OR the skater fits best on one team, but could benefit from an added challenge with a higher level team. *Each skater is considered a full member of the team, regardless of spot title; as such, permanent, shared, and alternate spots pay the full team dues. Trainer dues will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
3. Communication Communication is crucial among all skaters, coaches, managers and parents. Regularly checking and responding to emails is critical. Contact information Synchro Committee General questions Lead Synchro Chairs Sasha Kerlow Katrina Ladopoulos madisonicediamonds@gmail.com sasha_ilena@hotmail.com solblmst@hotmail.com Lead Parent Rep Sasha Kerlow sasha_ilena@hotmail.com Treasurer Katrina Ladopoulos solblmst@hotmail.com Apparel Social Fundraising/ Sponsorship Shannon Palmer-Bailey Cathlene Hanaman Tara Pabellon Angie Crawford Tara Pabellon Sasha Kerlow Shannon Palmer-Bailey Heather Duncan Heather Meyer Angie Crawford skpalmer17@gmail.com cathleneh@gmail.com tpabellon@askwright.com apenguinfreak@charter.net tpabellon@askwright.com sasha_ilena@hotmail.com skpalmer17@gmail.com heather_duncan@ameritech.net heather@macgav.com apenguinfreak@charter.net Competition Food Brian Hirsch Cathlene Hanaman Cheryl Schenck byray1@gmail.com cathleneh@gmail.com cheryl.a.schenck@gmail.com Recruitment/Media Cheryl Schenck cheryl.a.schenck@gmail.com Website Travel Competition Registration Geri Gibbons Cheryl Schenck Violet Chiruta Rani Lucey Tiffany Stronghart gcgibbons@charter.net cheryl.a.schenck@gmail.com teodora_chiruta@yahoo.com rani@cdr.wisc.edu tiffsk8ski@gmail.com
Coaches Emily Dehmer Alisha Raabe Ashley Luginbuhl Kristen Richgels Michelle Riederer Chelsea Schlecht Megan Statz MIDCoachEmily@gmail.com MIDCoachAlisha@gmail.com MIDCoachAshley@gmail.com MIDCoachKristen@gmail.com MIDCoachMichelle@gmail.com MIDCoachChelsea@gmail.com MIDCoachMegan@gmail.com Parent Participation Parent participation is needed and highly encouraged! There are a number of opportunities for parents to be involved in the success of the 2017-18 season, including, but not limited to: Parent team manager for each team Fundraising Social Team apparel Hair and make-up End of the year banquet Travel coordinator (hotels, car pools, team dinners, directions) Photos/videos of skaters/teams throughout the year Cheering section at competitions Help when asked! Any other ideas are welcome! 4. Memberships and Dues USFS Membership/Club Membership All skaters are required to be members of US Figure Skating. Skaters skating on a Synchro Skills level team can be a member of US Figure Skating through LTS or a club. Skaters on a Synchro Skills level team do NOT need to be a member of a figure skating club, but can be if they choose. All skaters skating on a team other than a synchro skills level team need to be a member of US Figure Skating through a figure skating club or as an individual member. All Skaters need to be considered 'in good standing' with their LTS program, club and US Figure Skating in order to be eligible to skate and compete with synchronized skating. Team Dues All skaters are required to pay necessary dues. You will be given a handout of the total team cost, items included/not included in that cost, and payment due dates in your commitment letter. If you would like to request an alternative payment plan, please contact the Treasurer. Once the team agreement is signed and turned in, you are responsible for the team costs, pending an extenuating circumstance and approval of the
synchro committee. If a skater decides to leave the team prematurely or fails to meet team expectations, he or she is still responsible for the remainder of their dues. Payment dates will be announced well in advance, and there is a late fee of $25. Fundraising/Sponsorship Per US Figure Skating s rules, all fundraising efforts must go back to the program, rather than individual skater s dues. Participating in fundraising is highly encouraged. There is a fundraising committee that will let everyone know of available fundraising opportunities. There is always room for more parents to help with these efforts! 5. Competitions/Exhibitions Competition and exhibition expectations, attire, and schedules will be announced in detail before each competition. The following general guidelines can be expected for all events: No jewelry will be allowed when performing (earrings, nail polish, necklaces, bracelets, etc.) All skaters must have hard guards. All skaters will have their hair and makeup done by the coach-designated person. Only skaters, coaches, managers and designated help are allowed in the locker rooms. This is a US Figure Skating rule. Each skater must print and bring with them a copy of the team's itinerary for the competition. It is important that each skater arrive on time and wearing the correct attire to specified locations throughout the entire competition/exhibition weekend. Unless excused by the coach, skaters are expected to support all of our teams at competitions. While we have different teams, we all represent the Madison Ice Diamonds and will support each other. Everyone must demonstrate good sportsmanship towards all other teams. No matter what the competition result is, we achieved it as a team. The success of synchronized skating and of the Madison Ice Diamonds relies on the team effort of parents, coaches and skaters! Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together. Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.