# Coaching · Figure Skating Level 8: Expert

Figure Skating · Level 8: Expert · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/figure-skating/level-8/coaching/)

Coaching in Figure Skating (Level 8: Expert) on Insporta: 20 sourced facts behind 2 tests. Covers: setting goals; motivation and the coach.

Setting goals with a skater, motivation and the coach's philosophy.

## Test 1: Setting goals

- Setting goals is a joint effort between athletes and coaches; imposed goals rarely raise motivation. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.1: Goal Setting and Motivation)
- Performance is what the athlete controls; outcomes are often controlled by others, such as the other skaters. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.1: Goal Setting and Motivation)
- Goals based on a baseline of performance recorded over the past one or two weeks are likely to be realistic. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.1: Goal Setting and Motivation)
- A challenging goal is difficult but attainable; a threatening one is seen as beyond the skater's capacity. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.1: Goal Setting and Motivation)
- Both give direction, but short-term goals appear to motivate most and are stepping stones to long-term ones. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.1: Goal Setting and Motivation)
- Positive goals direct what to do; negative goals point at the errors to avoid. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.1: Goal Setting and Motivation)
- Statements like 'I want to be the best that I can be' sound positive but cannot be measured. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.1: Goal Setting and Motivation)
- Goals are structured as short-term, intermediate and long-term, each a stepping stone to the next. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.1: Goal Setting and Motivation)
- The checklist starts with the statement, then needs, positive wording and the skater's own control. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.1: Goal Setting and Motivation)
- B sits a little above the recent baseline. A is far beyond it, C below it and D level with it. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.1: Goal Setting and Motivation)

## Test 2: Motivation and the coach

- The guide lists more attention when learning is hard, rewarding small gains and other measures than winning. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.1: Goal Setting and Motivation)
- Goal domains include fitness, attendance, intensity, sportsmanship, team spirit, free time and consistency. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.1: Goal Setting and Motivation)
- Specific target dates provide urgency and clarify which goals are realistic. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.1: Goal Setting and Motivation)
- Effective goals are limited in number and meaningful, which also keeps the record keeping manageable. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.1: Goal Setting and Motivation)
- The guide lists age, ability, readiness, performance, family influence, peer influence and preference. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.1: Goal Setting and Motivation)
- Successful coaches include fun in the overall plan, with the athlete's development and skills. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.2: Planning a Training & Competition Season)
- Partners who act as on-ice coaches rather than partners do not achieve meaningful involvement. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.3: Planning a Training Session)
- The list starts with more time and attention, then rewarding small gains, then measures outside winning. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.1: Goal Setting and Motivation)
- A baseline makes the goal realistic, a date gives urgency, and postseason review checks it. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.1: Goal Setting and Motivation; Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.2: Planning a Training & Competition Season)
- B has goals near, in the middle and far away. A puts them all far off, C all near, D has nothing in between. (Source: Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.1: Goal Setting and Motivation)

Sources: Riedell, Boot & Blade Guide and Testing Structure; Edea, Blade mounting; Fred Bartick, Mounting Blades; Special Olympics Figure Skating Coaching Guide (2021), 1.1-1.3 and 4; U.S. Figure Skating, Adult Testing; ISU, Grand Prix explained (2026); Skate Canada, 2026-27 Grand Prix guide; ISU Constitution and General Regulations. Original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Eligibility, entries and age rules belong to General Rules.

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