Why Ice Skating Lessons Don’t Allow Handheld Assists And Why That’s a Good Thing
f you’re new to youth skating, you may be surprised to learn that most professional programs, including those aligned with U.S. Figure Skating and Learn to Skate USA, discourage parents from holding their child’s hands during lessons. At first glance, hand-holding feels supportive and reassuring, especially when a child is stepping onto the ice for the first time. However, from a coaching and safety standpoint, handheld assistance can actually slow skill development and increase the risk of injury.
At Kroc Center Ice Arena, our teaching approach is intentional and developmentally appropriate. Ice skating is fundamentally a balance sport. The narrow blade requires children to develop core strength, ankle stability, proper posture, and controlled weight transfer. When a child leans on a parent for support, they rely on external stability instead of learning how to find their own center of gravity. This dependence can delay independent gliding, stopping, and turning skills because the body never fully engages in the way it needs to for true balance.
Safety is another major reason handheld assists are not permitted during lessons. When adults bend over to hold a child’s hands, their center of gravity shifts forward, placing strain on their back and reducing their ability to react quickly if the child falls. At the same time, the child often leans upward instead of bending their knees and stabilizing downward. If a fall happens, both skaters are at greater risk of wrist, shoulder, or head injury. Professional instruction emphasizes teaching children how to fall correctly and, just as importantly, how to get back up independently. These skills reduce fear, build resilience, and create safer long-term skating habits.
Confidence is one of the greatest benefits of independent learning on the ice. There is a powerful moment when a child realizes, “I did that myself.” That sense of accomplishment builds self-trust and perseverance. When young skaters learn to stand, march, glide, and stop without physical assistance, they develop confidence that extends beyond the rink and into school, friendships, and other activities. Allowing children to experience manageable challenges on the ice teaches them how to problem-solve and adapt.
Even during public skate sessions, instructors often recommend skating beside your child rather than holding hands. Encouraging bent knees, forward posture, and steady practice helps children progress more effectively than lifting or pulling them across the ice. Minor falls are part of the learning process and, in a structured environment, are both expected and safely managed.
Programs that follow the Learn to Skate USA curriculum are designed to build skills progressively, ensuring that each level strengthens a skater’s foundation before advancing. By focusing on independence from the beginning, children develop stronger fundamentals whether their future interests include hockey, figure skating, or recreational skating.
We understand that stepping back can feel harder for parents than it does for kids. Our no-handheld policy is not about limiting involvement; it is about maximizing growth, safety, and long-term success. By trusting the process, you give your child the opportunity to build real balance, genuine confidence, and a lifelong love of skating—one glide at a time.