All-Star Purpose Of Safety Certification For Coaches

[Level5Mom]

I view the safety certifications more as a way to justify that the coaches are qualified to determine whether or not a particular athlete is ready (through progressions) to do the next level of skill. The safety certification qualifies that coach to CHOOSE whether or not an athlete is ready to progress, rather than force them to keep an athlete within a level. It's like a "you can trust me" certificate.

In other words, I see it as more of a gym based role, than a competition based role. By the time you GET to competition you should have a safe routine that falls within the rules.

 

[CGAcheer]

I think the Level play rules are there or at least when originally conceived were so that similarly skilled teams could compete against each other.

I do not think that the rules should be enforced at practices, there are just way too many issues and most of them are listed already- teaching kids skills for the future being the main one, I have 2 kids on my level 2 team with level 3/4 tumbling, am I supposed to not work their level 4 tumbling in classes? Is the kid at somewhere like topgun who want to try out for Cirque de Soleil not supposed to work on double backs or full in full outs? There isn't even a USASF certification for that. Kids getting ready for college shouldn't be working on the skills for college? Someone who is 16 and 364 days old shouldn't be doing rewinds but tomorrow she can?

Now, should I be teaching a girl who just learned how to do a ro bhs tuck a full, of course not. But that is an education issue and not an enforcement issue. If you make it an enforcement thing then you mess up all of the above examples as well as plenty of others

 

[MomOf2ThatsMe]

I really would like for coaches who are working in USASF gyms to be certified up to the level that they are coaching, and only be able to coach up to that level. Like @Level5Mom said, it is a "you can trust me" certificate. It shows initiative, and that the coach/gym in invested in this sport, and it isn't just a job. I think that this as a whole should be part of a gym credentialing too though with different tiers for gyms based on coach credentialing and safety measures in place. As a parent I want to know that the people teaching my kid are professional, experienced, have had a background check, and know what to do in the event of a major injury.

 

[wcdad]

Jomo Thompson, head coach at the University of Kentucky, isn't credentialed to Level 6. Would you let him teach them to your kid(s)?

I would hope and expect that he would become certified in Level 6 stunts if he was coaching an Allstar Team under a USASF Gym.

College as we all know has it's own issues.

 

[wcdad]

If it's going to be that broad... say I have a level 2 tumbler but she excels at flying. Should she only be allowed to work level 2/3 skills that she has already perfected at her stunt class? Just because she's technically labeled "level 2"

Cheerleaders now are leveled in Stunts, AND Tumbling already. So to your point you could have a athleate working level 2 / 3 tumbling and level 5 stunting.

 

[wcdad]

I really would like for coaches who are working in USASF gyms to be certified up to the level that they are coaching, and only be able to coach up to that level. Like @Level5Mom said, it is a "you can trust me" certificate. It shows initiative, and that the coach/gym in invested in this sport, and it isn't just a job. I think that this as a whole should be part of a gym credentialing too though with different tiers for gyms based on coach credentialing and safety measures in place. As a parent I want to know that the people teaching my kid are professional, experienced, have had a background check, and know what to do in the event of a major injury.

I agree, and we are talking about USASF Gyms...

 

[imrichhowboutu]

A lot of you are talking about strictly progressions through levels. I am not saying you can't teach your athletes what they need to know at the next level. As long as they are ready and have mastered the previous skills, then great.

Scenario at practice. You have a level 5 team. There is on part in the pyramid where a flyer is doing a braced twisting inversion while travelling from one group to another. One of the 3 athletes that is supposed to catch the flyer is sick and not at practice. Do you tell your girls to just do it anyway because it doesn't matter? I think coaches across the country should be having someone fill in to be the 3rd catcher, or not do the skill until it can be performed legally as outlined in the safety guidelines.

 

[Deleted member 15]

It comes down to that coach knowing what his/her kids are prepared to do, not the rules or credentialing.

 

[carolinagirl823]

It comes down to that coach knowing what his/her kids are prepared to do, not the rules or credentialing.

I agree. I think this topic is getting a little bit blown out of proportion.

My view on this is that the rules are in place to prevent teams on the lower end of levels from pushing too far to keep up with more advanced teams in their division, and from doing skills that are beyond their skill levels. If a coach is qualified, they should be able to judge what their athletes are comfortable with doing.

Also for people that are freaking out about rewinds and stuff like that, think back to cheerleading about 10 years ago before the strict rules were in place. I distinctly remember Americheer nationals in 2002 when Twinkle teams (youth level) were throwing back tuck and full baskets. So this is super tame compared to that.

 

[wcdad]

It comes down to that coach knowing what his/her kids are prepared to do, not the rules or credentialing.

Andre, I have always respected your opinion. Going to Rich's first question how would you answer it?

What is the purpose of having Safety Certifications for all coaches?

 

[Deleted member 15]

Andre, I have always respected your opinion. Going to Rich's first question how would you answer it?

What is the purpose of having Safety Certifications for all coaches?

To have a 3rd party verify a coach isn't a complete idiot.

 

[wcdad]

From the USASF website http://usasf.net/programs/coachcred/. Is there any system in place to hold a parent, athleate, coach, gym, owner, director accountable?

USASF COACH CREDENTIALING

Raising the bar of safety expectations starts with you and your coaches. Coaches Credentialing organizes coaching competency in three core subjects. Tumbling, stunts and tosses are evaluated. These efforts are to create a safer environment, by developing standards through proper skill progressions. After a written and hands on assessment coaches experience is validated, the coach will receive credentials through the Level(s) passed. These credentials come in Certificate form and an ID card which last 3 years.
Through Credentialing coaches are made aware of expectations as teachers and role models. It is the goal of the USASF to infuse good decisions into each and every credentialed coach so that they may expand the positive life experience of all star cheerleading and dance into the lives of the youth they encourage. USASF is recognized as the baseline of education for each individual coach and also expect these standards to be met.

 

[Deleted member 15]

From the USASF website http://usasf.net/programs/coachcred/. Is there any system in place to hold a parent, athleate, coach, gym, owner, director accountable?

USASF COACH CREDENTIALING

Raising the bar of safety expectations starts with you and your coaches. Coaches Credentialing organizes coaching competency in three core subjects. Tumbling, stunts and tosses are evaluated. These efforts are to create a safer environment, by developing standards through proper skill progressions. After a written and hands on assessment coaches experience is validated, the coach will receive credentials through the Level(s) passed. These credentials come in Certificate form and an ID card which last 3 years.
Through Credentialing coaches are made aware of expectations as teachers and role models. It is the goal of the USASF to infuse good decisions into each and every credentialed coach so that they may expand the positive life experience of all star cheerleading and dance into the lives of the youth they encourage. USASF is recognized as the baseline of education for each individual coach and also expect these standards to be met.

I'm not sure about holding a parent or athlete responsible for coaches credentialing. The first way to hold a coach or gym responsible is where you spend your money. If you don't think your coach or gym is doing what needs to be done go to plan B. Bad gym goes out of business and we're in a better place. This requires you to have some education which you probably have if you have managed to find this place.

I'm pretty sure there is a way for coaches to report violations concerning other coaches, but I don't think it's used that often because the reporter's name is given to the reportee.

The USASF has pulled coaches credentials on the spot. There aren't many people with that authority, but it has been done for stuff like stunting on concrete.

The credentialing system creates a safer environment, safer being the key word. The education side hasn't done much for me, but I've been fortunate enough to be able to learn from, cheer with, and work with some of the best instructors in the world so I don't think I'm the typical example. If you don't mind, look through what they have and tell me what you think of it.

 

[DJ]

Andre, I have always respected your opinion. Going to Rich's first question how would you answer it?

What is the purpose of having Safety Certifications for all coaches?

Rich Allen & Michael Wiggins. Wouldn't your more appropriate question be...

"What is the purpose of Courtney Pope having a Safety Certification?"

Because it's evident that this nothing but a means to continue you're assault on her tactics and program.
If it matters that much to you, I suggest you write to the Rules Committee and have your voice heard at their next meeting. You two are capable of achieving nothing but, making yourselves feel good because you keep this topic going. If something is going to be done it will be done on the committee level by those that serve with Courtney.

Try to be a little less transparent, you could have let this topic wait a week or so before dredging it back up for rehashing.

 

[lakerfantlc]

Andre, I have always respected your opinion. Going to Rich's first question how would you answer it?

What is the purpose of having Safety Certifications for all coaches?

How can you micro manage every practice at every gym....goodness....Certify the coaches...deduct when there are violations in routines..move on....how can the USASF dabble into what goes on at every practice? It's like the Government taking away my salt etc...regulations most times lead to cost and control...set your rules for coaches and comps....thats it....no micro managing..we parents (customers) are not stupid...if we feel a coach is being "dangerous"...we wouldnt be there!!!! We don't need some regulator to tell us what our practice can be like..... IMO