Elite Skating

She Can Do That?!

2012-01-17T04:58:00.000-08:00

As much as I’d like to think that I know it all- I don’t.　 That’s ok; I’m surrounded by talented, professional, and gifted skating coaches that can help fill in where I need them.　 TEAM TEACHING- in the Indianapolis area you don’t see as much of it as you should.　 Team teaching is when a skater has a head coach who directs their path and one or more additional coaches who specialize in choreography, jumps, spins, dance, and moves-in-the-field.

Having more than 1 coach is the norm in other parts of the country.Skaters are lucky with the Elite Skating
staff- we all value the skills that we bring to the table. What Abigail might say or demonstrate about a spin is exactly what a skater needs to hear while Andrea might work on the power or presentation of the before and after a jump. Devon will put together a great program, JJ will get your jumps down like clockwork and Sarah can add the sparkle!

It’s all good- skaters only get better when there’s more than 1 point of view! Skating parents love the added benefit of team teaching when any one of our coaches can go to a competition with our skaters and everyone can split expenses. It’s much more cost effective when 1 coach takes 20 skaters to a competition instead of 3.

Team teaching allows us as coaches to have our skaters participate in more events, competitions, tests- we always have someone to cover the events! Trust me, when you're coach, you might have 4 weekends in a row of tests, competitions and shows- having someone fill in is truly a HUGE asset. A non-stressed coach is a happy coach- and we all want that, right?

I was fortunate in my career to train in rinks where team teaching was the norm. As I skater, I walked in the door and my head coach would have my schedule planned out with the coaching staff. In the span of one training day, I may have worked with 3 different coaches! AND I LOVED IT! Ask the coaches- Sarah, Abigail, or JJ how many coaches they had at one time- you might be surprised! If you don’t currently work with more than 1 coach, ask why. Should you be? That’s a decision you and your coach need to make.　 Who do I work with? What can one coach bring to the ice that you need?

Try it- you might just LOVE it!

New Skating Apparel Now Available

2011-09-07T05:28:00.000-07:00

New Skating Apparel is now available!

Skating Attire makes for great

Birthday & Holiday Gifts!

Personalized Elite Sweatshirts
- Great for showing off your badges! -

Jacket and Pants for the ultimate look on the ice!

A-Line Skirt

For practice or a special performance!

Available in different patterns

Skating Shorts with Contrasting Cuff
Great for on or off ice training!

Flare Skirt
Just for practice or a special performance!

Click here to order Elite Skating Sweatshirts!

Or contact us at elitesk8ing@yahoo.com

We'll send you the latest order form!

Fishers Ice-Tober Fest - October 15th

2011-09-02T04:12:00.000-07:00

Do you have that STAR Quality and want to show it off?!?

Do you love to perform in front of crowds?!?

Do you like a challenge?!?

Well, maybe you should consider participating in the the

First Annual Fishers Ice-Tober Fest!

It's a basic skills competition open to USFS members who are interested in competing.

Tiny Tots to Adults to Preliminary Skaters are welcome!!!

Get with one of our coaches to set up a time to create your routine for the competition!

Forms are due in by September 5th so don't wait!

Forms Can be found by clicking link above or

visiting Elite Skating or Fishers Figure Skating Club

And as always, all the Elite Skating Coaches are available for supplemental lessons for the competition

or just continued development!

$5 a Minute

2011-08-29T05:58:00.000-07:00

I had an awesome opportunity recently to spend the day with Olympic Figure Skating Coach Frank Carroll. Other than the only picture I have with him makes me look like a total snob, the BIGGEST thing I took away from everything he said was, "Skating is expensive. Skaters who do more than 2-3 sessions a day are doing too much on ice - they're not being efficient. A LOT of the skaters work should come off ice. Out on the grass is a great place to do off-ice." I paraphrased Frank, but that was basically what he said.

Funny thing... Of all the off-ice classes I teach, I at most have 4 skaters participating in them. Seriously? You may wonder what the title of this means... $5 a minute. Yep, that's how much ice time costs per minute. Every minute a skaters spends gabbing, getting on the ice late, not focusing on the practice session, NOT WARMING UP BEFORE THE SESSION, costs $5. Wow, that's some serious Starbucks cash or money I'd love to save for my trip to Hawaii.

Many of you didn't have the pleasure of knowing my mother - she passed several years ago. I can still, to this very moment, hear her voice yelling (yep, yelling, not nicely saying "honey, get your skates on - it's time to skate. Oh here, let me help you tie your skates - got your program music? No? I'll bring it out! Have fun!) "Andrea, get on the ice - do you know how much this costs?!? There are better things I can do with my money." Needless to say, it didn't happen often because when it did, everyone in the rink heard it - as did the people in the office park across the street.

At the ripe old age of 13, my parents signed me up for my first checking account. They deposited skating money there at the beginning of the month and I paid the bills. All ice time, coaching time, skate sharpening, OFF-ICE, tights, skates, rent for my apartment when I trained elsewhere, well, you get the drift. I quickly started figuring out how much it cost and valued their sacrifice. If I wanted more lessons, I had to talk to my parents about increasing the budget and had to figure out how to pay for it. In my head I was always calculating my ROI - more lessons = faster development = skating partner = Olympic Glory. OK, I only participated in the Olympics when I got up and changed the channel on the TV when I was young (we didn't have remote TV then). BUT, I still had the dream and the drive to try.

So, what did I do when the fund ran low? Actually I did this all the time... I skated until the Zamboni honked and made me get off. I did my own off ice exercises at home in my bedroom, in the lobby of the rink, and in my backyard. I took ballet classes, ballroom classes, aerobics, (remember Jane Fonda was cool then - we didn't have Zumba, Jazzercise and all the fun stuff!) and actually ran at my high school gym BEFORE school. I did it. my mom didn't tell me to do it, my parent supported me financially and physically - they got me there and provided support. I guess what I'm trying to say is that skating isn't just on the ice - it's what you put into it before and after you strap on your blades.

Which would you prefer - $5 a minute or the roughly $.18 per minute off-ice class? Hmmm that's a hard decision, right? DO IT! It's the best investment in your skating you'll ever make. Frank says so!

And, by the way, I did all that living an hour away from the rink...

Exciting NEW things...

2011-08-19T09:36:00.000-07:00

Exciting NEW things are happening at Elite Skating!

New classes, New coaches, New Opportunities for Skaters!!!

Below are just a few of those NEW happenings that

Elite Skating has been working on for you!

*New Specialty Classes*

LOW FREESTYLE CLASS

Good for skaters in Basic 5/6 through Freestyle 3/4
During our Friday night (5p-6p) Learn to Skate program
For skaters getting into jumping, spinning, and extra skating tricks
Email elitesk8ing@yahoo.com for more information

ICE DANCING SERIES

via

8 Week series to focus on the first three dances of the Preliminary Dance Test
For Basic 7 and above skaters, including Adult
Learn proper dance technique, including stroking and edges as well as dance patterns, timing and partnering
Test session offered at end of classes
Email Andrea at andrea.yovanovich@yahoo.com with questions

Wondering what these ice dances might look like?!?

Click the links below to see a video of each!

Dutch Waltz

Rhythm Blues

Canasta Tango

*New Coaches*

Mike Kellermeyer - Hockey

Current Coach of Cathedral/Chatard/Park Tudor Hockey Club - 2011 5A State Champions
Played at the Junior & College Levels and won various titles including a USA Hockey National Championship

*New Elite Skating Off-Ice Studio*

Strength & Conditioning (S&C): This class will be designed to incorporate a series of circuit exercises and interval training that is specifically developed for figure skaters. Focus will be centered on proper technique, body form and alignment, as well as overall quick muscle development and jump technique – all of which are meant to enhance the skater’s on-ice technique and performance.

Class size will be kept at a minimum of 2 skaters and a maximum of 5 skaters per class in order to allow for more individual attention.

Stretch & Flexibility (S&F): This class will focus on flexibility, extension and stretch, as well as development of overall core strength. We will incorporate several movements and exercises from both yoga and pilates, which are both cornerstones of core muscle development that are essential for every athlete.

Class size will be kept at a minimum of 3 skaters and maximum of 6 skaters per class.

Ballet for Skaters (B): This class will introduce and develop classical ballet concepts to enhance figure skating. Focus will be on body position, extension, graceful movement of arms, hands, etc. This class is a necessity for every figure skater and will offer progressive skill levels.

Class size will be kept at a minimum of 4 skaters and a maximum of 6 skaters per class.

$10/Class - Walk-in Rate
$8/Class - Monthly Package of minimum of 8 classes or with pre-registration*Walk-ins must notify staff ahead of time in order to confirm availability at elitesk8ing@yahoo.com*

*Elite Skating will be at the Pepsi Coliseum*

*TWO days a week this season!*

These are really exciting opportunities and developments!

Between the three rinks, we now offer classes 5 days a week!

That's amazing!

Welcome to the Elite Skating : Hockey Skates & Figure Eights

2011-08-18T08:45:00.001-07:00

Welcome!

Classes start tonight at the Forum at Fishers!

Hope to see you there!!!