All-Star Steps To Get Coaching Certification And More

[ShutItDown]

After this pop warner season I want to get into coaching allstar. Safety is becoming a huge problem and I want to make sure I get my knowledge straight so I have the confidence in my coaching abilities. Here are some questions, please answer any or all if you can(If anyone else has questions too please feel free to add, the more we learn,the safer we can make our sport):

What is the correct way to go about getting certified up to Level5?

What clinics are best to learn about safety?

What clinics/camps/etc are best to learn how to improve tumbling skills?

Anything else I should consider?

I want to build up on my credentials and I think this would help others in finding the correct steps to make cheerleading a safer sport.

*I used the search bar to find similar threads but it wasn't as specific to what I wanted to know.

 

[ztaprincess]

I actually really like this thread. I have been wondering for a while about the steps to getting certified. I love this sport and would love being able to work in a gym even if it just teaching level 1.

 

[ACEDAD]

Jim Lord and AACCA offers a safety course that is pretty good education, though it doesn't replace real life experience.



AACCA Cheerleading Safety Education and Risk Management



Debbie Bracewell created a great organization with NCSSE. Info here:

National Council for Spirit Safety & Education : Home

USASF credentials coaches in stunts, tumbling and baskets. Info here:

USASF.NET

Hope this gets you started!

 

[mishtm52]

I've needed to make a thread like this for a while now...

 

[yojaehs]

Brandon All-Stars is hosting a hands on coaches training camp in June. Visit Brandon All Stars!!!

As far as tumbling experience I highly recommend finding a local gymnastics gym and seeing if you can get a job 1-2 days a week. Even if its with basic/beginner kids/teams its a great learning experience. As ACEDAD said, nothing can replace experience!

 

[gymrat12]

yojaehs That is an awesome idea! What about for coaches who are already certified but looking to either improve skills and learn different techniques drills? Does anyone know of any other gyms/organizations doing coaches clinics like Brandon?

 

[kristenthegreat]

...I've secretly wanted this thread for a while. Even if I don't have the time now, maybe sometime!

 

[eam1892]

I shadowed a coach in a gym for a month while he taught me the basics, and I recommend that if you can. Of course I am only going up to level 3, but it makes you feel so much better then just knowing the information!

 

[SarahS]

I'll be watching this thread closely. I've been emailing with my USASF regional rep and I can't get an answer as to how to get certified as an individual coach not associated with an all star gym. I've coached the equivalent of USASF levels 1-3 since 1999 (the rec program I've coached for has followed USASF rules) plus high school, and I currently hold certifications from AACCA, NCSSE and NYSCA (I recommend doing all of them - they all offer a bit of a different perspective on coaching, from administrative to actual coaching techniques to general risk management in youth sports) ... The only answer I've gotten so far is that I can register as a USASF member as an individual coach, and I can get credentialed through my USASF member gym, but I haven't been able to determine how to get credentialed if I'm not part of a gym. One person told me to have the rec program I've coached for sign up as a USASF member gym so that the cheer coordinator of the program could sign off on PFEs - yeah, that's not happening. Ha. Seriously, if anyone figures out how to do it, please let me know.

 

[retiredl5cheer]

I'll be watching this thread closely. I've been emailing with my USASF regional rep and I can't get an answer as to how to get certified as an individual coach not associated with an all star gym. I've coached the equivalent of USASF levels 1-3 since 1999 (the rec program I've coached for has followed USASF rules) plus high school, and I currently hold certifications from AACCA, NCSSE and NYSCA (I recommend doing all of them - they all offer a bit of a different perspective on coaching, from administrative to actual coaching techniques to general risk management in youth sports) ... The only answer I've gotten so far is that I can register as a USASF member as an individual coach, and I can get credentialed through my USASF member gym, but I haven't been able to determine how to get credentialed if I'm not part of a gym. One person told me to have the rec program I've coached for sign up as a USASF member gym so that the cheer coordinator of the program could sign off on PFEs - yeah, that's not happening. Ha. Seriously, if anyone figures out how to do it, please let me know.

I'm assuming Debbie Love is certified as an individual coach. I don't think she's on the boards but if someone who is close to her can explain if she is and how she was able to do that it would probably help you.

 

[Bystander]

doesnt cheer ltd. do this??

 

[ACEDAD]

I'm assuming Debbie Love is certified as an individual coach. I don't think she's on the boards but if someone who is close to her can explain if she is and how she was able to do that it would probably help you.

She probably has half a dozen gyms that can officially sponsor her, from Kentucky Elite to World Cup to T & S.

 

[Angelica]

Are any more gym offering clinics like Brandon's did this past week? Id love to go to one this summer

 

[INeverStopCheering]

I'll be watching this thread closely. I've been emailing with my USASF regional rep and I can't get an answer as to how to get certified as an individual coach not associated with an all star gym. I've coached the equivalent of USASF levels 1-3 since 1999 (the rec program I've coached for has followed USASF rules) plus high school, and I currently hold certifications from AACCA, NCSSE and NYSCA (I recommend doing all of them - they all offer a bit of a different perspective on coaching, from administrative to actual coaching techniques to general risk management in youth sports) ... The only answer I've gotten so far is that I can register as a USASF member as an individual coach, and I can get credentialed through my USASF member gym, but I haven't been able to determine how to get credentialed if I'm not part of a gym. One person told me to have the rec program I've coached for sign up as a USASF member gym so that the cheer coordinator of the program could sign off on PFEs - yeah, that's not happening. Ha. Seriously, if anyone figures out how to do it, please let me know.

This is something I've always wondered about. I know to get USASF certified you have to have the gym owner sign off on the fact you have hands on experience coaching that level. But what do you do if you're an individual coach/own your own gym?

I would say the best way to get experience is to get a coaching job. Start with level one skills and slowly have a vetran coach teach you. I can now spot up to level three skills (on up to a certain sized child) just by being taught at my own program. I recommend having higher level athletes throw skills for you and practice on them to get used to spotting, especially running skills. For example to practice chasing a RO BHS, ask a girl to do one that already has it and practice getting to her.

 

[NJ Coach]

This is something I've always wondered about. I know to get USASF certified you have to have the gym owner sign off on the fact you have hands on experience coaching that level. But what do you do if you're an individual coach/own your own gym?

.

Gym owners sign off on themselves