COACHES’ CORNER The Many Rewards of ISI Testing by Liz Mangelsdorf I


SI TESTING — done right — can be a benefit to everyone: skaters, parents and coaches.


Giving goals to work on is the


best way to maintain progression and consistency in your lesson plan. Skaters will undoubtedly enjoy their lessons more and want to take even more lessons if they see a logical progression in their skills with personal achievement in the end.


Tere’s no denying that many of our


successes are measured by tangible rewards. Passing a test and receiving a patch can be a very satisfying reward for skating success. Skaters feel uplifted by their achievement, parents feel their money is being well spent and you, as the coach, reap both professional and financial rewards on both counts.


Te ISI testing program was originally


created to provide a series of progressive levels that would encourage people to skate frequently and regularly.


Testing as we use it today still serves


that purpose, and much more, as skaters develop their skills, compete, exhibit and perhaps even become coaches themselves one day.


One of the best things about the ISI


testing program is that it is standardized. If skaters need to relocate to another ice rink, they can continue in the same program in another city, state or even another country.


Te ISI testing program is a proven,


effective way to encourage skaters of all levels to reach a goal and keep them inspired to move on to the next one.


Testing can be done as a group or on an individual basis. Te first basic ISI tests can be started in group lesson format. At the lower levels, tests should be conducted in an informal manner and in the spirit of fun. Te beginning tests are designed simply to have the skater learn a skill and achieve a goal.


30 WINT ER 2 019 For Freestyle levels, testing can be


a bit more formal. Schedule an ISI test session, with a special day and time set aside once a month (or once a quarter, depending on your needs) dedicated to this purpose. Tis helps set goals throughout the year for both skaters and coaches, preparing them for the next test session. It also helps to create a culture for the skaters (and their parents) in which testing is an important part of their learn-to-skate process.


Make sure you reward the skaters


with their patches! Many rinks pre- purchase patches in bulk and have them on hand at the rink so that skaters can immediately receive their reward upon completion of a test. Consider adding a certificate to the recognition. You might be surprised how important those small rewards are for skaters of all ages and levels! Ask the ISI office for a template to use!


All tests should be registered with


the ISI national office. Rinks with a large volume of tests can use the Excel spreadsheet template that the office can help you customize to suit your needs. Test registration with the national office is $3 per test.


Registration ensures that all of your


ISI skaters have a file history of their tests, which can be accessed when they wish to participate in an ISI-endorsed event. It is vital for coaches to be on top of the status of their skaters’ tests when preparing for competitions. Tere is nothing worse than realizing you must rush a skater through a test to meet a looming competition entry deadline. Tis puts unnecessary stress on both the skater and the coach.


Take the time to plan your competition


season and plug in dates to meet skaters’ testing goals. You’ll be glad you did!


TESTING REQUIREMENTS


1. Tests must be taken and passed in order of difficulty.


2. Tests must be administered at a current ISI Administrative facility, club or school.


3. Tests must be graded by a current ISI Professional member.


4. Only current ISI Individual or Professional members may take tests.


5. Test examiners should keep in mind that disregarding the test standards does NOT provide skaters with a sense of accomplishment. Too much leniency will debase and possibly destroy the purpose of the test. Set personal feelings aside and be objective and fair — to everyone.


RESOURCES


• Test sheets (download from ISI website: skateisi.org)


• Patches for all test levels


• Te ISI Handbook (most current edition)


Questions? Contact me at Liz@skateisi.org.


Liz Mangelsdorf is ISI’s managing director.


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