Overview
Ice etiquette is essential in figure skating because it ensures a safe, respectful, and productive environment for all skaters. At Ames Figure Skating Club, we prioritize good ice etiquette to prevent accidents, promote fair practice time, and foster a positive atmosphere where skaters of all levels can thrive. By following these guidelines, everyone on the ice can work toward their goals in a supportive and organized setting.
Ice etiquette is reviewed annually and can only be changed by the Ames Figure Skating Club Board of Directors.
Skaters, coaches, and ice monitors are responsible for knowing and following ice etiquette.
Ice etiquette is reviewed annually and can only be changed by the Ames Figure Skating Club Board of Directors.
Skaters, coaches, and ice monitors are responsible for knowing and following ice etiquette.
General Conduct
- Avoid conversing while standing on the ice.
- Stay in front or behind the boards when socializing.
- Promptly get up if you fall.
- Never lie or sit on the ice.
- Kicking ice, foul language, horseplay, and tantrums are never allowed.
- This can result in dismissal from the ice by the ice monitor, rink staff, or other supervising adult.
- Be respectful to all skaters, coaches, ice monitors and rink staff.
- No food, candy, gum or drinks on ice.
- Water bottles are allowed at the boards.
- Prohibited items must stay behind the boards.
- Water bottles are allowed at the boards.
- Follow check in/out processes each day
- Dispose of trash properly at the end of the session.
Lessons, Programs, and Music
- Skaters in a lesson must wear a provided yellow lesson vest.
- Skaters completing a program must wear an orange program vest.
- Skaters may play their music for each program up to two times per session outside of lessons, with priority given to skaters in a lesson.
- Music cannot be restarted if a skater falls or messes up.
- Skaters may sign up for another song only after their song has been played.
- Skaters in a lesson may cut in line, or “bump,” all other skaters.
- Skaters not in a lesson may only be bumped once per session.
- Use of personal listening devices may be allowed under specific conditions.
- One wireless earbud at a non-impairing volume.
- Portable speaker or phone for choreography, at a low volume.
- Portable speaker or phone, rink-wide volume, with orange vest.
- Coaches and skaters must check in with the ice monitor prior to rink-wide play.
- Music cannot be restarted if a skater falls or messes up.
Exceptions to anything in this section are at the discretion of the ice monitor.
Practice Etiquette and Right of Way
- Be mindful of other skaters; do not obstruct or skate into jump paths.
- Complete practice spins in the center of the ice and jumps on the ends, unless running through a program.
- The following skater types have right of way on the ice (listed in order of priority):
- Skater participating in a virtual test.
- All other skaters and coaches are asked to keep quiet and stay near the boards when possible; do not be in the testing skater’s path or in the path of the recording device.
- Skater in a jump harness.
- Skater practicing a program in an orange vest.
- Skaters receiving a lesson in a yellow lesson vest.
- Skater participating in a virtual test.
Skater Brooke with her coach Kiana getting into the harness to practice her axel jump.
Skater Brooke practicing her spiral with skater Lonna gearing up to practice her competition program in an orange vest. The orange vest signals priority!