🛼 Athlete-Centered Coaching Principles

What is Athlete-Centered Coaching?

Athlete-centered coaching ensures that every decision made in training supports the development, safety, and long-term well-being of the skater. This approach prioritizes the athlete's growth over medals, ego, or short-term results — because sustainable success is built on trust, technique, and genuine care.

These principles guide coaches in helping athletes thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally.

1 Safety & Welfare Come First

Protect physical and emotional health
Ensure SafeSport-aligned boundaries
Recognize fatigue, fear, or injury signs

A safe athlete is a successful athlete.

2 Build Confidence — Don't Break It

Encourage risk-taking appropriate to skill level
Praise progress and effort
Correct with clarity, not criticism

Confidence fuels bravery, artistry, and performance.

3 Technique Before Tricks

Foundation skills: balance • edges • power • posture • quality

Progressive load and clear objectives
Avoid shortcuts that harm long-term development

Example: Master the waltz jump before attempting the axel

Strong basics = fewer injuries and higher ceilings.

4 Respect the Athlete's Voice

Age-appropriate involvement in goal-setting
Ask: "How did that feel?" and listen
Support healthy boundaries around pressure
Coaches guide the "how," athletes own the "why"

Skaters who feel heard stay longer and grow faster.

5 Holistic Athlete Development

Teach the whole athlete:

Physical training 💪
Mental resilience 🧠
Nutrition & recovery 😴
Time-management & life balance 🗓

We are building people, not just performances.

6 Positive Training Environment

Mistakes are part of progress
Humor, celebration & enthusiasm welcomed
Zero tolerance for bullying, favoritism, or shaming
Foster peer support — teammates, not competitors

The rink must be a place skaters want to return to.

7 Collaboration With Parents & Experts

Transparent communication
Use specialists when needed: nutrition, strength, PT
Treat parents as partners in success

A united support team creates a stronger athlete.

8 Fairness, Equity & Inclusion

Provide equal access to instruction and opportunities
Celebrate diversity in age, gender & backgrounds
Promote boys and young men in artistic pathways

Everyone belongs in our sport.

9 Progress Over Placements

Development > medals
Praise good training habits
Build resilience during setbacks

Skaters should measure success by who they become.

10 Lifelong Love of Skating & Continuous Coach Education

Nurture passion that continues:

Beyond youth
Beyond competition
Into adulthood

Coaches should also commit to:

Staying current with technique and safety standards
Continuing education in sport science and coaching methods
Learning from peers and mentors

Our greatest achievement is keeping skaters skating — and coaches growing.

💡 For Coaches: These Principles Are Actions

These principles aren't just ideals — they're actions. Reflect regularly:

Does my coaching build athletes up?
Do I create an environment where they feel safe to fail, grow, and succeed?
Am I prioritizing their long-term development over short-term results?

Great coaching is measured not by trophies, but by the athletes who come back year after year — and the people they become.

🛼 CARS Commitment

We align with:

USARS · American Roller Skating Association (ARS) · World Skate · SafeSport

Our coaching culture protects athletes — especially minors — and promotes the integrity of our sport.

Elevating the Sport. Honoring the Art. Inspiring the Skater.

📘 Developed by the CARS Community
This resource reflects the collective expertise of coaches, judges, and athletes in Competitive Artistic Roller Sports.