Coaches Corner
Resources for coaches
- Special Olympics figure skating resources (opens in a new tab)
Video demonstrations for special skaters: single elements, jumps, spins, combinations, synchronized skating elements and USFS track breakdowns.
- What is Skate United and S.A.M. in U.S. Figure Skating? (YouTube) (opens in a new tab)
Provides foundational information about special skating.
- Special Olympics Figure Skating: Move to Include, PBS LearningMedia (opens in a new tab)
Short documentaries.
- Special Olympics Michigan Coaches’ Guide (opens in a new tab)
Portion sizes, pre-competition meal plans and healthy food habits.
- Coach Connection, November 6, 2017, ISI (opens in a new tab)
- Adaptive ice skating for people with disabilities in the Bronx (opens in a new tab)
- Adaptive Skating Manual, Move United (opens in a new tab)
More to come shortly…
Share a tip with other coaches
Share a strategy or a resource that has worked for you. Tips appear on this page after SkaterSense reviews them.
Adaptive skating programs
- US Figure Skating Adaptive Program
Affiliated with Special Olympics and Skate United.
- Skate United
A part of the USFS Adaptive Skating program.
Created specifically for skaters with disabilities to grow and progress at their own level and pace.
- Learn to Skate
Offers a standardized Adaptive Skating curriculum.
- Skating Accommodation Memorandum (S.A.M.)
Formal process allowing skaters with documented disabilities to request reasonable, supportive accommodations during tests and competitions.
Working with adaptive skaters
Skaters with physical disabilities
- Affects the body’s structure, movement, and balance
- Motor capabilities weakened
- Prosthetics, specialized orthotics, custom skating boots, equipment like sleds (for hockey) or walkers (for ice skating)
- Practices typically involve structured support and physical guidance, but performances occur typically alone
- More closely identified under a Para-sport framework
Skaters with intellectual disabilities
- Affects cognitive functioning, information processing, communication, and adaptive behaviors
- Ex. down syndrome, autism, developmental delays, etc
- Skaters usually use standard skating equipment
- Rely on instructional and behavioral guidance
- Simplified instructions
- Visualization
- Repetitive prompting and clarification
- Routine-oriented coaching
- Closely associated with Special Olympics
- Skaters don’t always compete or perform alone
- Coaches or unified partners help the skater by mirroring movements, providing verbal cues, and helping the skater navigate direction and surroundings in order to prevent sensory overload