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
1. Respect the session start and end times.
3. Promptly get up if you fall—never lie or sit on the ice unless it is part of program choreography.
4. Kicking ice, foul language, horseplay, yelling, and tantrums are never allowed and can result in dismissal
from the ice by the Ice Monitor, rink staff, or other supervising adult.
5. Be respectful to all skaters, coaches, ice monitors and rink staff.
6. No food, candy, gum or drinks on ice; water bottles are allowed at the boards. Prohibited items must stay
behind the boards.
7. Follow check in/out processes each day, and dispose of trash properly at the end of the session.
- Skaters and coaches should not take the ice until the rink clock shows the session start time.
- Skaters and coaches must leave the ice immediately when the rink clock shows the session end time,
- even if they are in a program or a lesson.
3. Promptly get up if you fall—never lie or sit on the ice unless it is part of program choreography.
4. Kicking ice, foul language, horseplay, yelling, and tantrums are never allowed and can result in dismissal
from the ice by the Ice Monitor, rink staff, or other supervising adult.
5. Be respectful to all skaters, coaches, ice monitors and rink staff.
6. No food, candy, gum or drinks on ice; water bottles are allowed at the boards. Prohibited items must stay
behind the boards.
7. Follow check in/out processes each day, and dispose of trash properly at the end of the session.
Lessons, Programs, and Music
8. Skaters in a lesson must wear a provided yellow lesson vest.
9. Skaters completing a program must wear an orange program vest.
10. Skaters may request music for each program up to two times* per session outside of lessons, with priority
given to skaters in a lesson.
12. Music Sign Up
the session end time, even if they are in a program or a lesson.
16. Use of props during program practice is permitted, with potential limitations.
9. Skaters completing a program must wear an orange program vest.
10. Skaters may request music for each program up to two times* per session outside of lessons, with priority
given to skaters in a lesson.
- A program is defined as any practice routine that requires music.
12. Music Sign Up
- Music will only be restarted for technical issues that involve the music.
- Skaters may sign up for their next song only after their current song has been played.
- Group numbers are counted towards the song request limit for all skaters in the group.
- *The Ice Monitor may adjust the song limit or reprioritize the sign up line as they see fit, in accordance with guidance provided to them by the Board, to ensure fairness during sessions where many skaters are practicing multiple programs.
- 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.
- 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 played at rink-wide volume on a personal device is subject to the same Music Sign Up
- and Bumping guidelines as defined in this policy.
the session end time, even if they are in a program or a lesson.
16. Use of props during program practice is permitted, with potential limitations.
- Skaters must check in with the Ice Monitor before using any prop that will be placed on the ice or could be distracting or obstructive so that the Ice Monitor can approve it and give safety guidance.
Exceptions to anything in this section are at the discretion of the ice monitor.
Practice Etiquette and Right of Way
17. Complete practice spins in the center of the ice and jumps on the ends, unless running through a program.
18. Be mindful of other skaters; do not obstruct or skate into jump paths.
19. When a skater is skating backwards while in a lesson, the coach shares the responsibility with the skater to
avoid jump paths and paths of other skaters.
20. The following skater types have right of way on the ice (listed in order of priority):
18. Be mindful of other skaters; do not obstruct or skate into jump paths.
19. When a skater is skating backwards while in a lesson, the coach shares the responsibility with the skater to
avoid jump paths and paths of other skaters.
20. 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.
- 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.
Role of Ice Monitor
21. The Ice Monitor is responsible for observing and enforcing Ice Etiquette during all AFSC-sponsored ice
times.
22. Coaches, skaters and bystanders should engage the Ice Monitor to address conduct and etiquette concerns.
23. The Ice Monitor may restrict or adjust song plays and prop usage to best serve the needs and safety of all
skaters on the ice, while acting within the guidelines provided by the Board.
24. The Ice Monitor is responsible for reporting any misconduct and/or safety concerns to the Board that are
repetitive, excessive, or were not easily corrected.
25. The Ice Monitor is the ultimate authority during club ice sessions. Any disputes should be reported to the
Board and resolved off the ice—never debated in front of other skaters.
times.
22. Coaches, skaters and bystanders should engage the Ice Monitor to address conduct and etiquette concerns.
23. The Ice Monitor may restrict or adjust song plays and prop usage to best serve the needs and safety of all
skaters on the ice, while acting within the guidelines provided by the Board.
24. The Ice Monitor is responsible for reporting any misconduct and/or safety concerns to the Board that are
repetitive, excessive, or were not easily corrected.
25. The Ice Monitor is the ultimate authority during club ice sessions. Any disputes should be reported to the
Board and resolved off the ice—never debated in front of other skaters.
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!