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Figure Skating: Freestyle Rules

Etiquette & Safety Guidelines:

  • The maximum of 24 skaters will be allowed on each session, all skaters must be checked in by Front Desk before entering ice.
  • All skaters must check in at the Ford Ice Center front desk and pay for each session before stepping on to the ice. Skate bagsand all personal belongings should be kept in Locker Rooms 5 & 6 at both Antioch & Bellevue.
  • No breakable containers are allowed rink side. Drinks are allowed on or below the railing. Food is not permitted near the rail or on the ice.
  • Please pick up all belongings (including dirty tissues, water cups, bottles, etc.) at the end of the session.
  • Parents and skaters not on the session and/or other spectators should not loiter at the rail or benches. This is unsafe and it interferes with a constructive training session.
  • Coaching by parents from the bleachers, benches or railing is not allowed at any time. The benches by the ice are to be used by the skaters and coaches only.
  • If skaters must talk to someone off the ice, even if for a brief time, please exit the ice to do so.It is important for everyone's safety that all skaters stay aware of other skaters on the ice. Try to anticipate their patterns as you decide your own pattern.
  • If you are a less experienced skater, please be extra careful to stay aware of other skaters and to look ahead of where you are skating to see what others are doing or are about to do.
  • If you are an experienced skater, please be patient with the less experienced skaters. Be mindful- you were new to freestyles at one time.
  • Please be understanding if someone gets in your way.
  • Remember to look both ways before entering the ice, leaving the ice and/or leaving the railing or skating across the ice.
  • Keep moving while on the ice, as it is dangerous for both you and other skaters to stand still during a session. It is especially important not to stop in the middle of the ice or any of the jumping corners.
  • The skater doing a program to music has the right of way. Colorful belts are provided to help identify the skater whose music is being played.
  • Please stay aware of which skater is doing his or her program and do your best to stay clear of his or her pattern.
  • Please wear the belt when you play your music to help other skaters know you are skating your program.
  • Skaters taking a lesson have the right of way over general skaters in the session.
  • Skaters on the harness also have the right of way. Please be careful of the harness area.
  • Program music will be played on a rotational basis. This will be done on the honor system, with the responsibility left to the skaters and coaches.
  • After a skater's music has been played, their music or another program may be put at end of the line to re-enter the rotation. Ice dance music can take the place of program music.
  • Not everyone will be able to play their music on full sessions due to lengths of programs.
  • Coaches may put the music of the student they are teaching ahead of other skaters. Everyone should abide by this policy when they are in a lesson, enjoy this privilege and graciously accept this policy when they are the ones being asked to wait in line.
  • Please do not stop and restart your music if others are waiting in line.
  • Please handle the music equipment with extreme care.
  • If you are the last coach/skater on a session, please put CD player and/or long black cord back in the black box found under the scorekeeper's table.
  • Kicking, digging holes, scraping or stomping the ice with your blades and kicking the railings are prohibited. Any skater engaging in this behavior will be asked to leave the session immediately.
  • Being verbally abusive to other skaters or coaches is prohibited. Any skater engaging in this behavior will be asked to leave the session immediately.
  • Deliberately challenging, scaring or intentionally blocking another skater is prohibited. Any skater engaging in this behavior will be asked to leave the ice immediately for an indefinite period of time.
  • Videotaping anyone other than your own skater is strictly prohibited. Anyone engaging in this behavior will be asked to leave the facility.
  • When the Zamboni horn sounds and/or the session has ended, all skaters and coaches must leave the ice immediately. If you are skating to your music, please stop skating immediately, turn off music and clear the ice - no exceptions.