Team Allure Masters – Team Rules (rev. 08/31/06)
1. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS
1.1Skaters must be at least 25 years old.
1.1.1Skaters under 25 may skate with the team as unregistered alternates, practicing with the team, and skating in exhibitions, but not skating in USFSA competition.
1.2Skaters must be eligible persons as defined by the USFSA.
1.3Skaters must be home club or associate members of Rocky Mountain Figure Skating Club.
1.4Skaters must be members of the Ice Skating Institute.
2. MEMBERSHIP
2.1Skaters are accepted onto the Masters team by recommendation of the coach(es).
2.2Skaters on the Masters team sign a yearly agreement and abide by it.
2.3Membership in the team begins from the time of joining through the end of the skating year (May). Skaters may not “drop in and out” of the team during the year.
2.4In some circumstances, a temporary leave of absence may be granted by the coach(es), A skater who has something arise that makes it impossible to skate with the team for some period of time, but who wishes to continue with the team should discuss the matter with the coach.
3. ROVING ALTERNATES
3.1The coach(es) may designate some team members as roving alternates.
3.2Alternates or “rovers” are full members of the team, subject to the same rules and consideration as all other members.
3.3Alternates do not have an assigned spot in the routine, but may be asked to fill in for absent members during practice or performance.
3.4During a given year, depending on circumstances, an alternate may be assigned a spot in the routine.
3.5During a given year, depending on circumstances, a member who has an assigned spot on the line may be assigned to skate as a roving alternate.
3.6Reasons for designating a person an alternate include such things as: Lesser skill level; Less seniority; Joined after the routine was set; Difficulty learning or performing the routine; Extended or repeated absences; absence from critical practices.
3.7For more information on alternates, see the document “La Furia Masters Alternates: Rationale, Instructions, Strategies.”
4. MONEY
4.1Monthly fees cover routine costs (ice time, coaching, off-ice practice rooms, etc.) and may cover some anticipated special costs (special choreographic assistance, exhibition fees, etc.)
4.2Monthly fees are established by estimating routine costs through the year, dividing by a conservative estimate of how many members we will have through the year, and then dividing/apportioning over a number of months, as determined in consultation among the coaches, treasurer and manager.
4.3Because the fee is established based on a twelve-month year, part of the skater’s agreement covers payment of the fee through the entire year, even if the skater drops off the team following Nationals.
4.4In a given year, if the number of skaters drops too low, it may be necessary to raise the fee. If the number of skaters increases dramatically, it may be possible to lower the fee.
4.5In a given year, the team may decide at the beginning of the year whether to modify the fee structure for that year to do such things as cover some costume or travel expenses, to spread all expenses over eleven months instead of twelve, etc.
4.6Non-routine costs are covered by special assessments. Non-routine costs include such things as costumes, travel expenses, extra ice time, etc.
4.7Monthly fees and special assessments are to be paid promptly and in full.
4.8Skaters pay the full monthly fee each month regardless of whether they were present for all practices.
4.9Skaters new to the team receive pay half the normal fee for the first month.
4.10Under some circumstances, skaters who are injured or ill for six weeks or longer may receive a pro-rated bill.
4.11If special circumstances prevent timely payment of fees and assessments, the skater should speak with the treasurer to establish an alternate schedule.
4.12By rink policy, non-payment of monthly fees may result in a skater being prevented from taking the ice until the fees are paid
4.13Non-payment of fees and assessments, or significant or habitual delays in payment of fees and assessments despite repeated requests may be grounds for removal from the team.
4.14Under special circumstances, and in the interests of the team as a whole, some skaters or groups of skaters may be charged a differential fee, as determined by consultation among the coaches, treasurer, and manager.
5. ATTENDANCE
5.1Skaters must make every effort to attend all regularly scheduled and special on and off-ice practices and team meetings throughout the year.
5.2Skaters residing outside of Colorado may, in consultation with the coaches, arrange a special attendance agreement.
5.3Skaters are expected to adjust their personal schedules to accommodate the synchro schedule. If your aunt comes to town, bring her to practice. If your favorite singer is giving a concert on a practice night, don’t buy a ticket. If you are invited out to dinner on a practice night, decline. Don’t sign up for classes that conflict with skating practices. Expect to skate on your birthday or anniversary.
5.4Skaters who will be absent from a practice should send a message to the team e-mail list in advance. If that is not possible, contact the team captain.
5.5Skaters should come to practices even when injured or ill (unless contagious, unable to walk, unable to manage transport, etc.) Skaters who cannot skate watch practices from the hockey box and listen to instructions. Skaters who are well enough to stand on skates get on the ice and stand with the coaches to hear instructions.
5.6Attendance is kept. Because adults often have business or family obligations that are unduckable, the team does not set an arbitrary maximum number of acceptable absences.
5.7If an individual skater’s absences are sufficient to pose a problem from the point of view of safety or team performance, it may be necessary for the skater to take a leave of absence, or to resign from the team.
5.8Skaters who are absent from one or both of the final two regularly scheduled practices prior to a competition or performance may be excluded from that competition or performance at the discretion of the coach(es).
6. PARTICIPATION
Skaters attend and participate in all exhibitions, shows, and competitions that the team performs in. Exceptions are made for non-traveling alternates (see the rules for alternates), and for skaters residing outside of Colorado, and may also be made in the case of emergencies, long-standing or permanent commitments that are known far in advance, etc.
7. PUNCTUALITY
7.1Skaters must arrive at practice on time.
7.2“On time” for on-ice practice means present and dressed except for skates 25 minutes before the start of ice time.
7.3“On time” for off-ice practice means present and dressed and ready to begin practice 5 minutes before the start of practice time.
7.4Skaters who have a special circumstance that routinely prevents their being on time should discuss the matter with the coach, who may grant special dispensation.
8. DRESS
8.1The team competition outfit is not to be worn except for team competition, exhibition, dress rehearsals, etc.
8.2The team competition outfit may include a specific make, color, and style of tights, as well as a specific hairdo and hair ornament.
8.3The team practice outfit is to be taken good care of, so as to keep it in good condition for official use.
8.4If a skater leaves the team while a particular competition or practice outfit is being used, s/he agrees not to wear it until after the team is no longer using it, and not to sell it or give it away except to a team member until after the team is no longer using it.
8.5The team practice outfit is to be worn to all practices (unless a “uniform holiday” has been declared). The “casual” practice outfit is black pants and top. The “formal” team practice outfit is a specific dress (or for men, pants and top the same color as the dress), and beige over-the-boot tights.
8.6Skaters must purchase the team practice outfit as soon as possible after joining the team.
8.7A light jacket, or vest (preferably black) may be worn at the beginning of practice, but skaters should be prepared to remove the jacket or vest at the request of the coach(es) or captain(s) following a warm-up period. If the skater needs/wants extra warmth during practice, s/he should wear a liner to the dress, an extra pair of stockings, etc.
8.8Hair is to be worn up off the neck.
8.9Gloves may not be worn.
8.10Long earrings, bracelets, large rings, etc. must be removed before practice.
8.11Skaters who are wearing hair down, jewelry, gloves, over-large or non-coordinated tops or vests, etc. put their hair up, or remove the jewelry or gloves, or “offending” articles of clothing on request of the coach(es) or captain(s).
8.12Off-ice practice wear should be suitable to exercise, and include appropriate footwear.
9. CONDUCT AT PRACTICES
9.1Skaters accept the authority of the coach(es) to establish the routine, to place skaters in the routine, to direct practices, to correct skaters, etc.
9.2Skaters treat each other with respect.
9.3Skaters pay attention, listen to coach(es) and captain(s), and follow instructions promptly
9.4Skaters do not correct each other or ask each other for instructions. Questions, complaints, etc. should be addressed to the coach(es) or captain(s).
9.5Skaters move quickly from one place to another as directed by the coach.
9.6Skaters practice as they mean to perform, paying attention to steps, carriage, extension, music, expression, head, arms, holds, formations, etc.
9.7The same rules apply during on- and off-ice practices.
9.8When sharing ice with another team, team members remain alert to the other team, granting right of way as appropriate, doing their best not to interfere with the other team’s practice, and doing their best to preserve the safety of both teams.
10. SKATING SKILLS
10.1Synchro skating practices are for learning and working on synchro-specific skills and on the routine(s).
10.2Skaters are responsible for learning and practicing general skating skills outside of synchro practices.
10.3Skaters are responsible for practicing synchro program elements outside of synchro practices.
10.4Skaters must be engaged in a personal program for improvement of individual skating skills through individual practice and skating lessons.
10.5Within the first year of skating with the team, skaters should have at a minimum taken the USFSA Adult Pre-Bronze Moves, or an equivalent standard track test.
10.6Skaters who may have passed such tests in the relatively distant past should work toward passing another of the encouragement tests, or toward passing the next level.
10.7Skaters are strongly encouraged to work toward passing USFSA Moves, Freestyle, and/or Dance tests beyond the encouragement level.
11. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
11.1Skaters take personal responsibility for learning the routine promptly and well.
11.2Each skater receives a CD of the program music, and is responsible for becoming intimately acquainted with the music as it relates to program content.
11.3Skaters who miss a practice are responsible for finding out about any additions or changes to the routine before the next practice.
11.4Skaters are responsible for keeping track of practice dates and times.
11.5Skaters are responsible for reading all communications from the captain(s), manager(s), coach(es) or other team members, answering questions asked, asking for clarification as necessary, acting on instructions given, etc.
12. CONTRIBUTION
Skaters share in the myriad tasks and jobs that need to be done to keep a synchro team running throughout the year.
13. TRAVEL
13.1The team travels as a group. Exceptions may be made for those who wish to arrive at a competition site early, or for those who do not reside in Colorado.
13.2Skaters travel in the team jacket.
13.3The team rooms as a group.
13.4While traveling, skaters give first priority to the competition and all associated team activities.
13.5Skaters accept and pay their share of all team expenses as determined by the treasurer and/or other designated coordinators.
15. CLUB RELATIONS
15.1Skaters maintain good relations between the Team and the Rocky Mountain Figure Skating Club (RMFSC).
15.2Skaters make an effort to assist RMFSC in its activities.
15.3Skaters do their best to be good representatives of RMFSC.
EXCEPTIONS
Exceptions to rules can sometimes be made by the Coach(es). the Coach(es)’ decisions are made in the best interest of the team, and take into account a variety of things, including the reason given for requesting the exception, the time of year, the skater’s previous record with the team, the skater’s level of skating, the skater’s position in the routine, the availability of alternates, etc.
1