Question: Why should a coach become certified?
Answer: Certification represents a commitment to furthering one’s skills as a coach. It also represents a level of professional development and recognition within the coaching community, indicative of one’s experience and expertise. Maintaining one’s certification is indicative of a coach that never stops learning. No matter one’s level of responsibility within the sport, a coach should always seek better methods of teaching skills, new and innovative drills, and ways to make skiing and competition a more enjoyable overall experience for everyone.
Of course, certification isn’t the only way to learn, and a member coach of USSA still does not have to be certified. However, a greater number of clubs are requiring at least a Level 100 certification for employment, as well as ski areas, for liability considerations. The certification curriculum represents the most current material available from the U.S. Ski Team, and the USSA departments of Sport Education and Sport Science. All coaches should take advantage of the educational content available, whether they desire or need certification or not.
Question: For entry-level coaches, how does one become involved?
Answer: The first step in the coaches education progression is the Level 100 Ski Fundamentals Clinic. This clinic is the starting point for coaches new to coaching as well as veterans who have not attended a clinic for several years. To obtain Level 100 certification, there are two requirements:
(2) Level 100 Alpine Ski Fundamentals Clinic and Exam: This course is a day and a half on-snow and an evening classroom session. The content is based on the two U.S. Ski Team Alpine Fundamentals CD-ROMs. There is both an online exam, as well as an on-snow skiing evaluation requirement. The materials and online exam come with the purchase of the clinic.
For a list of Level 100 clinics, click here.
Question: If a coach was certified under the “old” system, what has happened to their certification?
Answer: For previously certified coaches, USSA honors their educational work, including the old ACEP (now ASEP) Coaching Principles course, all USSA Alpine on-snow courses (including all work at the National Alpine Coaches Academy), but coaches must have a current First AID/CPR certification. Whatever level of certification was earned under the old system will be honored in the future, with one exception: all certified coaches are required to take one continuing education unit every 2 years.
Question: I’m a veteran coach with over 5 years of coaching experience but I’ve never been certified. Do I have to start at the entry level?
Answer: Coaches who fit into this category of “veterans”, and who want to begin the certification process, should contact the USSA Sport Education Department directly to discuss their particular coaching history and levels of experience before beginning the certification process. Prior to that conversation, please send Sport Education a summary of your educational work (list the date of the Fundamentals Course and the name of the instructor) and a copy of your current First Aid/CPR card. If all requirements have been met, you will be issued a Level 100 certification.
Note: USSA Sport Education encourages all previously certified coaches to review the new USSA curriculum to remain current with the teaching methods of the U.S. Ski Team. The sport of alpine racing has undergone significant technical and tactical changes corresponding to the changes in equipment design, construction and FIS/USSA regulations. The educational curriculum reflects the latest in USST philosophy, coaching and planning methodology, and junior development teaching strategies.
Question: How can a coach check their certification status?
Question: Can a coach still join USSA and remain uncertified?
Answer: Any coach can still join USSA and remain as an uncertified USSA member. However, a greater number of clubs and ski areas are requiring certification, as well as regional, divisional, and state organizations for jury participation, course setting opportunities, and course credentials, including complementary lift passes. Coaches are encouraged to acquaint themselves with the local requirements for participating as a coach on a club and at competitions.
Question: How does a coach become an instructor?
Answer: Coaches who are interested in becoming part of the USSA trained and certified instructor staff, should send a resume to
USSA Sport Education. Each candidate's application is handled on a case-by-case basis. There are many factors involved in selecting coaches for instructor training.
Question: What can I do for a Continuing Education Course and how do I get credit on my coaches certification?
Answer: Good coaching is no longer just putting gates in the ground. It hasn’t been for a long time and, therefore, all coaches have an obligation to keep learning. The domains of coaching extend far a field from the work done on-snow. The requirements to be a national team coach are so broad and demanding that it has become a challenge to find coaches with the level of education and experience to fill the position. Therefore, USSA encourages coaches to continue learning by requiring a Continuing Education Credit every two years. This may be accomplished through a wide variety of educational options listed
here. Coaches are not restricted to the options listed
here, coaches are free to pursue educational opportunities directly related to their level of athlete/program responsibilities or coaching interests outside the suggested list.
A coach will be listed as "expired" if they do not fulfill the two year continuing education credit requirement or if they allow their CPR and First Aid certifications to expire.
Furthermore, a coaches’ certification level will not be recognized until they are back in compliance. Once all necessary continuing education credits have been completed the coach will regain their "active coaching" status and certification.
Note: In addition to the First Aid/CPR and Continuing Education requirements, USSA Alpine Officials are requiring by 2009 that all coaches serving on a jury or as a course setter, at either a FIS or USSA scored event, will need a current Level 1 Referee license, and will need to maintain their license through a referee’s update every two years.
Accepted Continuing Education Options:
- USSA: Sport Nutrition CD
- USSA: Sports Psychology CD
- USSA: Strength & Power Training CD
- George Washington University
- Management and Leadership of Sports Organizations
- Funding Sports Organizations
- Sports Event Management
- PSIA Clinics/Courses
- USSA NDS or Regional on-snow projects
- (i.e. June NDS, Topolino, Whistler, Regional Team to JII Nationals, others)
- College or University Sports Science, Coaching or Athletic Courses
- Attend a Regional Coaching Seminar
- (i.e. VARA Fall seminar, NYSSRA Coaches Forum, PNSA fall seminar, others)
Submission:
To obtain credit for your Continuing Education unit, a coach will need to submit completed certifications, passing test grades, completion forms, or write a brief description of course/clinic taken with the date, location, and project leader.
Submissions can be made by:
Fax: 435.940.2790
Mail: USSA
ATTN: Education
Box 100
Park City, UT 84060
May 2009 eNewsletter