(Answered by Joanne Schneider-Ferris)
Find a private figure skating coach
with the expertise and knowledge that you believe you can trust with your child's skating career. Champions are not produced by talent alone. Do you have the time and money to make your child a competitor? The first step parents need to take towards making a child an accomplished figure skater is to find a private lesson coach that can direct and manage a child's skating. Not all figure skating coaches can do this. Look for someone who teaches skating full-time. Part-time figure skating coaches can help supplement a skater's training, but the coach in charge should be committed completely to a child's skating and to being the best figure skating coach possible. Every skater is different; make sure your coach is a good match for personality and learning style.
Making a drastic change, like moving away for skating, may not be necessary.
It is not necessary to disrupt a family's entire life for skating by moving to a figure skating training center. There may be a young and energetic coach at an ice arena in your city that has the drive and ability to train and coach figure skating champions. That person may be capable of training a figure skater from the beginning to elite levels. Best thing to do is ask.
Don't put off getting started doing things "right."
It is important for parents of young skaters to understand that competitive figure skaters must commit to a structured figure skating training schedule as early as possible. The ideal age to get started doing this is at about five, six, or seven. Those who start "late" around eight, nine, or ten years of age can possibly catch up with the right coaching and training. Those who start skating seriously after the age of ten can still be serious competitive figure skaters, but it may be too late to "make it" in singles, especially for a girl. A developed women's body makes it hard to master double and triple jumps. Those who win ladies events at the national, world, and Olympic levels may have landed some triple jumps before puberty. There are, of course, always exceptions. Determination and remaining injury –free have a serious impact on performance and skill levels. Once it is decided that a child wants to be a serious figure skater working towards being the absolute best, "jump right in.
Don't waste time or use the excuse that your child is still young and has plenty of time. The time a person can be a competitive single skater working towards national, international, and Olympic dreams is short. A "window" is only open for a certain number of years. Doors are open a little longer for ice dancers, synchronized skaters, and pair skaters.
Commit to a training schedule and to lessons.
Young figure skaters working towards competing at the Pre-preliminary level and above should skate before and after school and take at least one lesson a day. Many more private lessons are required for a skater who wishes to win or medal in regional, sectional, national, or international figure skating competitions. High level skaters may skate for at least two to three hours in the morning and may return to the rink for two to three more hours in the afternoon. Off-ice conditioning and off-ice classes in ballet and dance should also be part of a figure skater's training plan. It is common for elite level figure skaters to work with multiple coaches, so more than one lesson a day may be normal for those trying to get to the top.
Always! Initially, the skates must be the correct size and offer sufficient support, so that the skater is able to stand upright, be comfortable, and have sharpened blades. That should allow basic skills to be accomplished without fighting poor, ill-fitting equipment. The soft style skates with the heavy padding are only recommended until Basic 5, at which point the more complex tasks are impeded by the bulky nature of the skates. Once the skater begins learning jumps and spins, a better boot and blade will vastly improve performance. “Better” should not be interpreted as “extremely expensive”, although a better quality boot and blade will, certainly, cost more than a recreational combo. Quality advanced beginner styles are available for about $100-$125 and you may find an excellent quality used boot and blade available for less.
Genuinely talented children may exhibit a natural ability and coordination to perform in any athletic activity. Undeveloped talent requires opportunity and training. But heredity and nurture greatly influence one's ability to take advantage of training. Some children learn quickly; they will succeed more rapidly because they are faster or stronger, and better coordinated. A coach may recognize their ability as potential and offer opportunities that will provide greater challenges. That is a pretty good indicator that they see some special “spark” in your skater. Acquiring good, fundamental, efficient techniques is necessary to achieve long term goals, so pushing too hard, too fast may not accomplish your future vision. Gaps in technique become more apparent when trying to properly execute more complicated skills. Bad habits, from basic skills that have been rushed, once acquired, are nearly impossible to change. Early competitive success based on the incorrect execution of simple skills is not a reliable indicator of future success. In fact, pursuing poor technique is a good way to limit future success. The risk of this developing is high in talented, but poorly trained skaters. Always make sure that skating is a positive experience for your skater. Those that love being on the ice will acquire better training habits, even if they must overcome initial awkwardness.
There is no correct age to introduce your child to skating. However, sometimes a child can be too young and will cry the whole time. If that happens, wait six months and try again. Children develop at different rates so what will work for one beginner, may not work for another. Psychologically, children get satisfaction with self-mobility and the enhancement of fine motor skills. The ability to crawl, walk, run, ride a bike and skate all add to that in a positive way, giving them a sense of control over their environment. The initial response to gliding on ice is extremely positive. You know your child’s abilities and temperament best. Most classes begin at age 4. However, tot classes and parent/tot classes which allow children as young as 2 on the ice are available in many areas. If you are unsure about your child’s readiness, you can introduce very young children to skating at a roller skating rink where toddlers and preschoolers can start on 4, balanced, roller skate wheels. Once a child can roll around on roller skates, the transition to ice
skates comes easily. Many champion figure skaters ( Tara Lipinski) started out as roller skaters. It’s just fine tuning some coordination and balance.
You'll probably start off at 1-2 hours per week. You can do more of course but typically, if your skater is young and just starting out, this will be typical. It would most likely include a group lesson and some practice ice. This is, of course, a matter of intention, personal dedication and the size of your budget. If you have a skater who would gladly spend hours on the ice every week, that skater will most likely advance more quickly and have higher aspirations. When your skaters are young, you should plan to stay while they're on the ice. Occasionally they do take a tumble and they need some parental comfort. It will also give you the opportunity to observe their progress and provide encouragement. Coaches aren't really the people to do this and if in a group lesson, the coach has to keep teaching other skaters.
A good quality pair of figure skates provides as much ankle support as any pair of hockey skates. You can get very stiff figure boots, (stiffer boots will be required when jumping, to provide the proper support to avoid injury on landings) but it is important to maintain some flexibility. Old style skates that go back to the early years of competitive skating were made of thin leather and required significant muscular development to hold
the body in the correct upright position. Now, as technology has advanced, the boots do part of that job for the skater. This is one reason for younger skaters being able to perform more difficult jumps. However, starting off in a boot that is too stiff or heavy plastic will impede progress. Even as a beginner, you must select boots of adequate quality and correct fit and flexibility, so that the boots help your ankles stay erect as you condition your foot position and balance to control the skates, but also allows a nice deep knee bend. Competitive or professional skaters will often say that their skates feel like an extension of their feet. Most cases of "weak ankles" are due either to cheap department store skates, or too floppy, worn-out or oversized rental skates.
That decision is personal to your comfort level, however it would be practical to learn: forward and backward stroking, both left and right crossovers, hockey stops and T stops, and a solid 3-turn. These are all skills that you will need in both figure skating and hockey. Depending on how often you skate and practice, you may achieve these skills rapidly, but the better you perfect your basic techniques, the more adept skater you will become in either discipline. Each skill builds on the previous one for better speed and flow.
While the obvious response is "it depends on what kind of skating you want to do", in reality the beginner has to learn a set of basic skating skills, starting with balance, posture, stroking and stopping, and these can be learned on either type. However, if you consider the 4 points of balance, (Forward, backward, left and right) basic skills are learned more easily on a figure blade.
A hockey blade is like the rung on a rocking chair. In technical terms it is “highly rockered” meaning that you can lean all the way forward or backward with nothing to stop you. For this reason, beginners in hockey skates tend to skate hunched over with their arms extended to prevent a forward or backward fall. It requires proficiency at all 4 points of balance to achieve any consistent progress.
Figure skate blades have a toe pick and a tail. The toe picks on beginner figure skates are very small and usually do not present a problem, but they stop you from going too far forward on the blade, just as the tail prevents you from leaning too far back. This makes it easier to stand upright with solid core strength, and be able to utilize your left to right balance for inside and outside edges. You accomplish more of the fundamentals when you learn on figure skates, and often progress faster.
Yes, these license plates are available throughout the state!
Funds collected from the sales of this license plate will be used to enhance and expand rink programming and facilities, centrally located in Bozeman, MT, benefiting ice users throughout the state and region.
Don't fret! You can still get yourself an awesome Home Ice plate, even if your current registration hasn't expired. Simply walk into the Gallatin Valley Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) with a picture of your current license plate, pay the $50 "new plate fee," and cost for a new plate.
Please contact Hockey Director Dave Weaver (dweaver@bozemanhockey.org) or Assistant Hockey Director Sam Coulter (scoulter@bozemanhockey.org).
Yes, BAHA has two girls’ hockey teams. There is a 14U and 19U team designed for girls aging out of the youth Squirt level that wants to continue playing competitive hockey. These teams compete in the Northern Rocky Mountain Girls Hockey League and travel to tournaments throughout Montana and Idaho once a month. For more information about our girls’ league, contact Dave Weaver at dweaver@bozemanhockey.org
The practice schedule will be posted on the Youth Hockey calendar page. You may also contact Dave Weaver at dweaver@gallatinice.org for more information.
BAHA has an equipment rental program targeted for 4-12 year olds in our in house programs (Termites, Mites, Mountain League). The equipment includes helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads, breezers (pants), shin guards, and gloves. The program is first-come, first-serve and is $40 for the season. For more information, contact Sam Coulter (scoulter@bozemanhockey.org).
No, but there are youth Stick and Puck sessions. Times can be found on the calendar.
No. BAHA offers a Youth non-travel league (Mountain League) for young players not interested in or not able to travel for games. This league is for players ages 9 - 18. Our Termites (6U) and Mites (8U) Programs are also non-travel.
Youth players must wear all necessary protective gear, including helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads, shin guards, gloves, and a protective cup. PeeWee and the above players must also use a mouthguard.
Not at all! Our programs accommodate children with all levels of experience. However, we do recommend that children brand-new to hockey enroll in the Learn to Skate program.
Youth programs include termite (4-6) through high school levels. For more information, please visit our Youth Hockey page.
Yes. Puck Lunch is an adult (18+) pickup hockey game that takes place every Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. See the Puck Lunch page for details, costs, and times. Additional adult pickup hockey games are occasionally scheduled in unused ice slots during the regular season. See the Rink Schedule for specific times.
There is a Women’s Weasel League that has 10 games (not including playoffs) spread out from October-March. A large group of Bozeman women (who form the weasels travel teams) travel to two or three tournaments a year and hosts a local women's tournament called the "Get Lucky Cup." For more information about the Weasels Women’s Hockey Team, please contact Julie Keck (jkeck@gallatinice.org).
Hocktober Scramble is our early season program, beginning in September and ending in October. Players are grouped into teams combining two levels of play, so there is a wider range of skill levels within these teams than in regular-season teams.
We encourage players to wear all necessary protective gear on the ice. That includes a helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads, shin guards, gloves, breezers (pants), and cups. Full-face masks are also wise. However, our only requirement is that players wear a helmet and half-shield at all times while playing hockey.
When you fill out the registration form, please select "unassigned" to indicate that you are new to the league. You will be placed on a team that needs players of your skill level.
Not at all! Men and women over the age of 18 have many opportunities to learn and play the great game of hockey, including beginners who have the opportunity to learn all of the hockey basics through our Greenhorn beginner program.
Go to the USA Hockey website and follow the links “About USAH” and “Insurance Risk Management.” Much of the important information about filing a claim is listed under “FAQ.” If your question is not answered there, contact the Northern Plains District Risk Manager, who can be found in the “Risk Manager Directory" section of the USA Hockey site.
Information about becoming a referee is available on the USA Hockey website. For questions, please visit the Gallatin Hockey Officials' Association website.
BAHA Members are anyone who is registered on a youth or adult team.
USA Hockey is the governing body of hockey in the United States. BAHA’s youth teams and adult leagues are sanctioned by USA Hockey, so for insurance purposes, all participants in these programs must be registered members. Only USA Hockey sanctioned events are covered (youth practices and games and Adult HHL games). All other events are not covered by USA Hockey insurance (Puck Lunch, Stick & Puck, 3-on-3 tournaments, Public Skating, etc.).
Here are a few places in the area that sell or buy used or new hockey equipment:
BAHA strives to keep its prices reasonable and affordable in order to make hockey accessible to everyone in the community. Registration costs vary widely depending on the program and level of play desired. Please review our Youth Programs & Prices and Adult Programs & Prices guides for details.
The early Youth Hockey and Adult Hockey seasons start at the end of September and run until the end of October. The regular Adult Hockey season starts at the end of October and ends in mid-April. The regular Youth Hockey season also starts at the end of October and ends in early March.
Youth and adult hockey registration is available on our website for the duration of each season’s registration period. Registration for the regular season typically runs from late August until early October. However, we take sign-ups for our Non-Travel Mountain League all season long.
Contact Philanthropy, Jeff Moore, at jmoore@gallatinice.org to showcase your business while supporting the rinks!
Contact Julie Keck (jkeck@bozemanhockey.org) or Dave Weaver (dweaver@bozemanhockey.org) for volunteer opportunities.
Please send a message to Stephanie Self (sself@gallatinice.org) with a description of the item missing.
Yes, BAHA opens the rink to public skating on most Saturdays during the regular season from 12:00 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. Additional public skate times are occasionally offered throughout the season. See the Rink Schedule for dates and times. Skate rental is available at the rink for $5 per pair during public skating hours.
The Barnburner Grill will be open during any live hockey event with food, drinks, and beer.
Players/skaters under the age of 10 may be accompanied by no more than ONE (1) parent and ONE (1) sibling (under the age of 10) when entering the facility for recreation.
