Achievement Program - Taking Skaters to New Heights
Does Your Rink hold Test Centers?The
RSA’s Achievement Test program is the only non-competitive test program
for roller skaters and provides an outline for molding students into
skillful skaters. By following the test procedure, skaters advance to
new levels without the stress of competition. There is no better way to
start a skater than with the Achievement Test Program. This is because
the tests follow a natural progression and are designed in a logical
pattern. Coaches don’t have to worry about forgetting to teach skaters
various maneuvers if the steps are followed.
Pat Jacques of Roller King in Roseville, Calif., the 1997 SRSTA Coach of the Year, states:
“One
good way to promote skating classes is to let session people come in
early and catch the end of a private class. They’ll applaud, which
makes your students feel good, and they’ll ask questions about how they
can learn to do what the students are doing. Another way to attract
this kind of attention is to allow your class skaters to practice in the
middle of the rink during public skating sessions. Another way to
promote your classes is to post pictures and articles of award-winning
skaters throughout the rink.”Create a system to make your
classes progress in a manner that correlates with the progression of the
Achievement Tests. Roller King offers a variety of class types
including Tiny Tot, Beginner, Bronze, Silver and Gold classes. Jacques
says that the decision to start testing a skater in freestyle must be
made on an individual basis. A skater’s readiness for Freestyle depends
on the skater, not the skater’s age or ability.
“When it’s time to
take the tests, skaters don’t have to worry about losing or being judged
unfairly. They’re competing against themselves, and judges know
exactly what they’re looking for. Achievement Tests are the fairest way
to evaluate a skater,” says Jacques.
“It’s a pass-or-fail system. There’s no room for biased judging.”
For
roller skating coaches, accepting the challenge of creating skaters is
the key to longevity. However, coaches can’t toss beginning skaters
into competition and expect them to survive – they must first establish a
foundation on which each skater can build. The RSA Achievement Test
Program is a successful tool used to transform beginning skaters into
powerful competitors. Many skaters choose to participate in the program
because it allows them to be involved in the sport without the
pressures of competition. However, other test candidates use it to
establish sound skating backgrounds before entering competition.
Achievement Tests build strong basic skating skills, physically as well
as mentally, and enable skaters to begin successful and meaningful
careers. The RSA Achievement Tests (originally called the RSROS
Proficiency Tests) were established more than 40 years ago to provide
incentives for skaters to increase their skating skills. If you’re
looking for a new program to attract skaters, try growing your business
through a ready-made program that benefits skaters, coaches and your
bottom line.
For more information or to request an achievement test information packet, Email:
achievement@rollerskating.com
