Changing coaches is one of the most difficult decisions a skater in any inline or roller skating discipline ever has to make. Many times a change is needed because of re-location of the coach or skating family, a change of discipline or additional services needed. These are easy and are usually done with the help of recommendations by the former coach. In other cases where personal needs, technical needs, personality issues or even real or perceived ethics problems are involved, a coaching change may be very hard to make.
Difficulty: Hard
Time Required: As soon as your decision is confirmed
Here's How:
- If you really like your coach, discuss any minor problems, real or perceived, with him or her first to provide an opportunity to resolve them. Sometimes little things can be adjusted. Usually bigger issues are a part of their teaching technique or personality and cannot be changed.
- If problems can not be resolved, choose the next coach very carefully. Do not rush out in a fit of emotion over one incident and make a change without doing your homework.
- Do not start working with another coach before telling your current one that you are making a change. It may seem like a good idea to try another coach before making a break, but that is not acceptable and will cause hard feelings for everyone involved as well as confusion for the skater.
- Once you have made the final decision, your old coach should be the first person to know.
- Notify the former coach in person or by phone.Do not send an email or phone message to dismiss the old coach.
- Do not hurt the former coach's feelings by trying to explain why you are making a change. Any reason given will not be sufficient to keep the coach from feeling bad.
- Be sure to offer thanks for the good things about the coaching experience.
Tips:
- Do not be surprised if feelings are hurt anyway.
- Make sure all coaching fees to the former coach are paid in full.
- The skating world is very small, so try to remain on good terms with your old coach.
