Ice Etiquette

Newmarket Skating Club Policy - NSC001 - Ice Etiquette Rules & Guidelines

Policy Summary

The Newmarket Skating Club is committed to providing members with the opportunity to develop and pursue their goals in a safe and encouraging environment. Coaches and parents/guardians play a special role in the development of skaters’ enjoyment of this sport and as such should model positive and responsible behaviour at all times while participating in any Newmarket Skating Club group session, private session, event or competition.

This policy outlines the expected ice etiquette for all Newmarket Skating Club coaches, members and parents.

I. Ice Etiquette

et·i·quette, noun: etiquette; plural noun: etiquettes

  • Customary code of polite behaviour in society or among members of a particular profession or group.
  • synonyms: protocol, manners, accepted behaviour, rules of conduct, decorum, good form

Etiquette is simply defined as the respectful and considerate behaviour expected by all parties while participating in club activities. It is also meant to ensure all parties feel safe and comfortable. This document helps identify what is expected of our coaches, skaters and parents as members of the Newmarket Skating Club when interacting with coaches, skaters, volunteers, facility staff and the arena facilities at all times, on and off the ice.

Ice etiquette rules are in effect at all times. Failure to abide by the rules below may result in the offending skater being removed from the ice. Continuous or flagrant abuse of the ice etiquette rules will be addressed accordingly by the Newmarket Skating Club Board of Directors.

If a skater is asked to leave the ice surface, there will be no refund or credit for unused sessions or classes.

The following rules are to be observed while participating in any Newmarket Skating Club group session, private session, event or competition:

  1. Verbal or physical abuse toward any skater, parent/guardian, coach, volunteer, board member or facility staff will not be tolerated.
  2. The use of foul language or disruptive behaviour is unacceptable on or off the ice. Arguing with other skaters or coaches will not be tolerated.
  3. The coaches are responsible for the skaters at all times during the sessions. Failure of a skater to follow direction or rules may result in the skater being asked to leave the ice surface.
  4. Parents are asked to refrain from coaching or offering instruction to their child(ren) during the sessions. Skaters and coaches find this distracting. If you have concerns, speak to your child’s coach privately after the session.
  5. Unless being used by a coach for “teaching purposes” personal use of iPods, cell phones and any other electronic devices including the use of earpieces or headphones by the skaters or coaches are strictly PROHIBITED on the ice.
  6. The following order determines the right of way during Free Skate sessions:
    1. A skater whose music is being played and is skating to a program.
    2. A skater who is receiving a lesson.
    3. Skaters who are practising.
    4. Note: Experienced and older skaters should be mindful of less experienced or younger skaters and set an example as to when and how to yield to other skaters. Remember that all skaters were beginners once.
  7. Skaters are reminded to be aware of fellow skaters that may be moving in the opposite direction or performing jumps. When practising programs, skaters must learn to move around other skaters to complete their program and remain respectful and polite.
  8. The skater whose music is being played and is practising their program has the right of way. It is the responsibility of everyone, coaches and skaters alike, to be aware of this skater and yield to the skater until the program is complete.
  9. When a skater is practising his/her program, he/she is reminded to be polite when addressing another skater or coach that may be in his/her way.
  10. No solos are to be performed in the first 15 minutes in an intermediate, intermediate/senior or senior only session.
  11. All skaters must get up quickly after falling, unless injured, so as to not endanger other skaters on the ice.
  12. There is to be no unnecessary stopping or standing on the ice. A skater who needs to speak with someone in the viewing area, another skater or is not actively practising, should step off the ice.
  13. Parents of skaters are responsible for the behaviour of their children during all sessions.
  14. Skaters may leave the ice to use the washroom or adjust equipment. Canskate and PreCanskate members need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  15. No food, gum, candy, or drinks of any kind are permitted on the ice, except water bottles. No glass or ceramic containers are allowed.
  16. The corners/ends of the ice surface are considered to be the “jump” zones. There is to be no spinning in those areas, except skaters performing their programs.
  17. All spins are to be done between the two blue lines.
  18. There is no guest skating permitted on sessions that are full.
  19. There is no guest skating during weeks where there is a “test day” planned, with the exception of dance partners.
  20. There is no guest skating during the week prior to a competition (i.e.: Frolics, KIS, Challenge, Scarborough, Funfest, Skokie Skate etc).
  21. There will be no use of the harness in the first 15 minutes of sessions that have a dance session.
  22. The harness is only to be used under the direct supervision of a professional coach.
  23. There will be a 5 minute limit on the use of the harness when other coaches are waiting.
  24. No skills in or out of lesson during a dance session.
  25. Free skating is not permitted during any dance sessions unless a private lesson is being taught by a professional coach.
  26. At the end of each session, all skaters and coaches need to leave the ice promptly so the ice may be resurfaced. The last one of the ice is to please close the door.
  27. Appropriate skating attire is required for all skaters on the ice. Jeans are discouraged. Hair should be pulled back from the face at all times. Hair elastics and/or athletic headbands are acceptable.

II. Safety and Security

Safety of our skaters and coaches is of the utmost importance. Everyone is responsible to identify and report any safety concerns or risky behaviour to a senior coach or board member immediately.

  1. Professional coaches and skaters must leave the ice when the ice resurfacing machine is on the ice and shall not return until the ice resurfacing machine has left the ice surface.
  2. Ice pad doors must be closed at all times when the ice resurfacing machine is on the ice.
  3. No pushing, tripping, horseplay or intentional interference with other skaters is permitted on the ice or elsewhere in or around the arena.
  4. All skaters should use the full ice surface during Free Skate and are not to congregate in one area. Any socializing with coaches or skaters is to be conducted off-ice.
  5. Parents and guardians are not to stand at the edge of the ice or sit in the team boxes.
  6. No person is allowed on the ice without skates on unless there is an emergency. Parents and guardians are to remain off the ice surface unless specifically requested to do so by a Professional Coach or Newmarket Skating Club board member.
  7. Valuables should not be left in the dressing rooms. The club bears no responsibility for the loss or theft of valuables.
  8. Canskate and Kidskate skaters must have a parent or guardian on the premises within view of the ice pad at all times while they are skating in the program.
  9. Starskate skaters under 16 must have a parent/guardian or adult designate on the premises while they are skating in the program.
  10. Skaters must have a parent/guardian present at all times while they are in a program. The Newmarket Skating Club is not responsible for skaters left unattended by parents, guardians or designates.

III. Music Policy

The music policy is intended to provide a fair manner in which skaters have a chance to practice their dances or programs during the group sessions.

  1. Skaters who bring their own CDs or devices to be played by the music volunteer do so at their own risk and the Newmarket Skating Club accepts no responsibility for loss or damage.
  2. Music will be played in the order in which the coaches, skaters or dance partners have signed the music sign-in sheet, alternating coaches as required. Coaches and Dance Partners have priority.
  3. Skater’s music requests are secondary and will be played in the order requested as time permits.
  4. Free skate and interpretive music will not be played during the dance session.
  5. Professional coaches may only request one program at a time and only for the skater receiving a private lesson from that coach.
  6. A program may be repeated only after all other programs have been played in their designated order.
  7. Misuse of the music policy will be addressed by the Board of Directors.