The information displayed here is for the purpose of sharing coaching knowledge,  I do not promote myself as a  'coach's coach'.

Never, never, never put pressure on your skaters;  they get enough of it from home!

Never show your frustration,  if they can't get something quickly (i.e., a new skill), then keep it to yourself.

Never change a program at the last moment before a big competition,  at your own peril make changes but be careful.  In general a week before a competition should be the deadline to get it right,  perhaps a couple of minor changes after that,  for example a minor change to footwork or arms,  but nothing more.

Know your skaters mindset,  for example; are they nervous skating in competitions, are they self driven or determined,  what are the weaknesses in their skating (skating skills, jumps, spins, footwork, field moves?).

Take a notebook and pen with you and write notes the next time you attend a coaching or skating seminar,  don't turn up there because you have to,  go to learn and improve your skating knowledge.

Prepare;  don't just turn up and wing it,  prepare yearly plans for each skater,  prepare lessons beforehand.

Coach efficiently,  rehearse what you are going to say to teach that new skill,  don't waste time teaching something that is irrelevant,  don't waste time, don't say anything that is going to waste time,  when working on polishing a program/solo/routine don't always ask the skater to skate the whole program and then critique it after,  this wastes oodles of time, instead break the program into 20 to 30 second sections, then break the sections into individual movements where it is needed,  do the run through with the music for timing and fitness training reasons only.

Know why you coach;  is it for the money? (obviously not people who coach for the money do not read this web site)  Is it for the social contact?  Is it to get results?  Is it for the wrong reasons?  What is your primary motivation?

Do not do anything that can harm or destroy a skaters enjoyment in the sport;  this may be more important than you think,  for example,  children learn skills faster if they are enjoying themselves,  in fact the more they enjoy themselves the faster they will learn,  this has been scientifically proven.   So coach in a positive way,  never,  never use negative reinforcement.

Remember who the sport is for?  Ummmm if you have to think about this then this is not good enough,  the sport is for the skaters,  not the coaches,  not the club officials/volunteers  (although they may disagree),  not the judges,  not the parents (well not entirely).  So do what is best for the skaters..