SOUTHWEST FIGURE SKATING CODE OF CONDUCT

 1. Skaters will work toward and support:

• Individual growth and excellence in figure skating.
• Positive and constructive behavior with all skaters, other parents, and coaches in the Club. Recognizing that, as a member of the Southwest Figure Skating Club,  also representing the club in the community they will extend positive and constructive behavior towards all skating in the Community Service Learn To Skate program. 
• Respect and appreciation for all individuals and different personalities and skills of all skaters and coaches. 
• The feeling of belonging to the club, club unity, and working together to accomplish the club's goals.
• A skater will be respectful of all skaters, coaches, staff, and others at the ice arena by exhibiting appropriate behaviors at all times. This includes club ice, ice show practices and performances, LTS lessons, open skating, and all competitive events. 

2. Skaters will read, understand, and follow the SWFSC Ice Rules and Safety Recommendations.

3. Skaters will abide by the disciplinary procedures as outlined below:

• All coaches are responsible to be observant and address any inappropriate skating etiquette.
• If inappropriate skating etiquette is observed, the coach of the skater involved and the coach who observed the behavior will meet the skater, and all parties will address and resolve the problem. This will take place at the time of the incident or as soon as possible thereafter. If consequences/sanctions are required, Skaters will understand that the SWFSC Board of Directors and or coaches may limit or suspend participation in competitions, the annual ice show, and or club membership. 
• If the skater's coach is not present, the issue will be discussed with the skater and the skater's coach will be notified as soon as possible.
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4. If the skater disagrees with how they have been treated, they can file a grievance with the Southwest Figure Skating Board of Directors. 

5. Skaters will conduct themselves chemically free (alcohol and illicit drugs) whenever participating in club skating events, skating sessions, or skating competitions. The Southwest Figure Skating Club will follow the guidelines of the Minnesota State High School League eligibility regarding mood-altering chemicals and penalties. https://www.mshsl.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/2022-2023-mshsl-elig-brochure.pdf 

Below is a set of rules for conduct on the ice. Parents, please review these rules with your children. The SWFSC Board considers behavior as important as skating ability, and we must ensure that a high level of behavior is followed.

• Skaters should show respect at all times towards the parents, coaches, rink staff, and each other. Be courteous both on and off the ice. Courteousness should be the norm in the arena and not the exception.
• Coaches have authority on the ice. Any coach has the right to remind any skater of any of the rules at any time if they are not abiding by them.
• Parents (or an ice monitor) have authority off the ice. The parents or ice monitors have the right to remind any skater of any of the rules at any time if they are not abiding by them.
• Skaters should stay on the ice once sessions begin unless a critical need arises. It is very disruptive to other skaters having people continually get on and off the ice.
• Leave the ice immediately when the Zamboni is ready to resurface. It is very dangerous to try and get ‘one more jump’ in while the Zamboni is on the ice.
• No food, gum, or beverages (other than a water bottle) on the ice or boards.
• No ice kicking, swearing, or other displays of temper.
• No cell phone use on the ice. Video and photography of skating moves must be done from the sideboards. Looking up skating information on the internet must be done from the side boards or in the boxes. Cell phones are not to be used for texting, snapping, etc.
• Avoid non-essential talking during the skating session.
• Skaters not in motion should be against the boards. This is meant to guard against skaters standing and chatting in the middle of the ice. One exception is if a coach is trying to explain something to a skater while the two are on the ice.
• Skaters in a lesson with a private coach will be asked to wear a vest so other skaters can easily spot them.
• Skaters must be tolerant of occasional unintentional congestion. They should always be aware of what is going on around them so as not to interfere with other skaters.
• When skating away from the boards, always look in both directions first before skating out to the center of the ice.
• When a skater has fallen on the ice, they are a danger to other skaters...get up as quickly as possible. Also, if a collision happens, make sure the other skater is okay, apologize, and then move on.
• Skaters should not sit or lay on the ice, and when they fall, they should get up as quickly as possible.
• No tag or chasing games, skaters should be working independently as much as possible.
• Any skater wishing to practice a free skate program to music will have the right of way.

The following will occur when a skater is not following the club's safety rules

1. First-time-the skater will be warned, and rules will be reviewed with the skater by the ice monitor and/or coach.
2. Second time- the skater will have to sit on the bench for 15 minutes, and rules will be reviewed again.
3. Third time- the skater must leave the ice for the remaining skating period. Rules will be reviewed again with the skater, and parents will be contacted. The concerns will be addressed with the parents and skater directly.

General Safety Recommendations:

• Stay out of standing in the corners of the ice. These areas are used for jumps and Moves In The Field practice. Please stand by the boards in the ice monitor area or sit in the boxes when not skating.
• Spins should be practiced in the middle of the ice between the blue lines.
• When approaching another skater, move to your right to avoid a collision.
• Always be aware when skating backward as to where you are going.
• Whenever possible, please circle the rink in a counter-clockwise direction during warm-ups and when practicing moves that involve the entire parameter of the rink.