All-Star Steps To Get Coaching Certification And More

[cheercurl]

Gym owners sign off on themselves

hmm...how interesting.

 

[Christina Archer]

I would like to know how can you become a tumble coach only and what classes I have to take in order for me to be a tumbling coach.

 

[coachbd]

hmm...how interesting.

At least over here in Aus it seems to work since there are only a few companies (EPs) that credential people and they tend to know us and all the gym owners so they know if you are able to honestly certify for yourself. Plus they watch you all season at the competitions and see your teams etc. I signed off on myself for my EVFs. They do state though in the information packages that they reserve the right to make enquiries to check the honestly of your experience validations, but to my knowledge that has never been done.

 

[KRECCheer]

I started a thread like this a while back, and it seems as if the best response I've gotten was to work with gymnastics gyms. As far as safety and technique go in tumbling, that's probably one of the best options based on the levels and requirements for each one.

 

[blingmeup]

I have a related question for anyone who might know the answer... I was USASF certified for tosses, stunts and tumbling through level 5 years ago, back in '05-06 when I was coaching at an all star gym. But as my cp was very young, I decided I did NOT want to coach anymore and just wanted to be a cheer mom enjoying watching my baby compete. The small gym I was certified through closed its doors a couple years later and isn't in business now. I assume that my certs are expired since I haven't done anything related to cheer since way back then (except cheer on my girl from the parent section), but can someone clarify for me, how long the certs are actually good for, and, if I ever wanted to get back into coaching, what I would need to do to get the certs current, given I'm not affiliated with any gym? Not that I'm actually considering it at all, just wanted to understand the process. Thanks in advance. :)

 

[yojaehs]

I have a related question for anyone who might know the answer... I was USASF certified for tosses, stunts and tumbling through level 5 years ago, back in '05-06 when I was coaching at an all star gym. But as my cp was very young, I decided I did NOT want to coach anymore and just wanted to be a cheer mom enjoying watching my baby compete. The small gym I was certified through closed its doors a couple years later and isn't in business now. I assume that my certs are expired since I haven't done anything related to cheer since way back then (except cheer on my girl from the parent section), but can someone clarify for me, how long the certs are actually good for, and, if I ever wanted to get back into coaching, what I would need to do to get the certs current, given I'm not affiliated with any gym? Not that I'm actually considering it at all, just wanted to understand the process. Thanks in advance. :)

Certifications are good for 3 years. The re-certification process is simpler (if thats even possible) and cheaper. As far as being connected to a gym, I have no idea how that works. My guess is you would re-credential and just list as an "independent"

 

[Kelli Nicole]

I have a related question for anyone who might know the answer... I was USASF certified for tosses, stunts and tumbling through level 5 years ago, back in '05-06 when I was coaching at an all star gym. But as my cp was very young, I decided I did NOT want to coach anymore and just wanted to be a cheer mom enjoying watching my baby compete. The small gym I was certified through closed its doors a couple years later and isn't in business now. I assume that my certs are expired since I haven't done anything related to cheer since way back then (except cheer on my girl from the parent section), but can someone clarify for me, how long the certs are actually good for, and, if I ever wanted to get back into coaching, what I would need to do to get the certs current, given I'm not affiliated with any gym? Not that I'm actually considering it at all, just wanted to understand the process. Thanks in advance. :)

I don't know how long they are good for, but I know you you just have to do a re-cred that costs $35, rather than $15 per part.

 

[Matt Faherty]

In addition to credentials, be continuing your education to be the best coach you can! In my opinion, credentialing through USASF is a good start, but very little technical knowledge is needed to pass their certification. I would like to see USASF have a more in-depth hands on portion, and different level instructor, and professional certifications, like USA Gymnastics offers.

If you really want to not only be a great instructor, but improve the sport of cheerleading as a whole, I recommend studying up on your anatomy, physiology, sports mechanics, and exercise science! I can't stress enough how much understanding things like Newton's Laws of Motion, the body's muscles and their actions, and theories of sport psychology, have helped me become the coach I am today!

 

[Matt Faherty]

Also, for hands on experience spotting tumbling, I recommend going to camp Woodward for a week as a "visiting coach!" I had learned about spotting technique at conferences, and working with other coaches, but Woodward is the ONLY place i have been where they have you get hands on with athletes.

They have "spotting clinics" every week, in which they will teach you how to spot, then, have you spot athletes. (The athletes are very advanced, and have very good sense of where they are, so it is safe.) The master staff members and directors correct your spotting technique, just like we could correct a cheerleaders tumbling technique!

I love it because Woodward is where I truly became confident spotting advanced skills, in particular, spotting fulls with my "off side." (which are right fulls for me) Not only did I get a lot of repetitions spotting the skills in a SAFE and CONTROLLED environment, but I got feedback about what I needed to do differently to make my spotting better.

Also, interestingly, every single coach (even ones who have been there all summer) spot during the clinics, to be evaluated and critiqued. This insures the staff's spotting technique is consistent, and that the campers are always in the safest possible environment!

 

[CheerCoach84]

All of the things on here are so True!!!! I have coached for now my 29th season!!!!! and Experience has been a must!!!! I have had the USASF certification in stunts, tosses, and tumbling since they have offered them, and the AACCA, I have also taken certifications with Cheer companies that I have been affiliated with or trained with: Cheersport, COA, Cheer LTD, Americheer, ECA, etc.... I feel you are never too Old to learn something from someone!!!!!:fro:

 

[WinstonsGirl]

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've coached school cheer for 15 years and did my USASF to get more coaching certification even though I wasn't coaching all-star. I figure you can't have enough certification, so why not. My Principal signed off on my experience levels instead of a gym owner. Is there someone involved in your rec program who acts as your boss?? They should be able to sign off on your experience.

In my area, our association holds several coaching certification clinics per year, and they include USASF now as well as school. You just have to register. Check with your state association, if you have one, or your state USASF rep to see when they are doing credentialing in your area and sign up to do it.

 

[CheerlyHere]

In addition to credentials, be continuing your education to be the best coach you can! In my opinion, credentialing through USASF is a good start, but very little technical knowledge is needed to pass their certification. I would like to see USASF have a more in-depth hands on portion, and different level instructor, and professional certifications, like USA Gymnastics offers.

If you really want to not only be a great instructor, but improve the sport of cheerleading as a whole, I recommend studying up on your anatomy, physiology, sports mechanics, and exercise science! I can't stress enough how much understanding things like Newton's Laws of Motion, the body's muscles and their actions, and theories of sport psychology, have helped me become the coach I am today!

Love your responses on so many threads! I'm getting credentialed now and I want to be well-educated. Can you recommend where/how to study anatomy, physiology, sports mechanics, and exercise science? Did you take a course? And what other things have helped you become the knowledgeable coach you are today? Thanks!

 

[CheerlyHere]

Also, for hands on experience spotting tumbling, I recommend going to camp Woodward for a week as a "visiting coach!" I had learned about spotting technique at conferences, and working with other coaches, but Woodward is the ONLY place i have been where they have you get hands on with athletes.

They have "spotting clinics" every week, in which they will teach you how to spot, then, have you spot athletes. (The athletes are very advanced, and have very good sense of where they are, so it is safe.) The master staff members and directors correct your spotting technique, just like we could correct a cheerleaders tumbling technique!

I love it because Woodward is where I truly became confident spotting advanced skills, in particular, spotting fulls with my "off side." (which are right fulls for me) Not only did I get a lot of repetitions spotting the skills in a SAFE and CONTROLLED environment, but I got feedback about what I needed to do differently to make my spotting better.

Also, interestingly, every single coach (even ones who have been there all summer) spot during the clinics, to be evaluated and critiqued. This insures the staff's spotting technique is consistent, and that the campers are always in the safest possible environment!

This sounds great! I'm going to contact them this week although I don't know if I'll be able to go for a whole week since coaching isn't my full-time job and I'd be coming from out of state.

Can smaller people spot, too? Many senior female cheerleaders are probably bigger than I am and the male ones definitely are.

 

[CheerlyHere]

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 was told by my regional director that for Levels 1 and 2 you only have to send in the money, take the written test, and pass the hands-on credentialing test. The hands-on credentialing test is offered like 3 times a year. For Levels 3 and beyond, you have to perform 100 (or 150 I can't remember) hours of gym time at the previous level and have the gym owner sign-off on it. So for Level 3, 100 hours coaching Levels 1 or 2 and for Level 4 so many hours coaching Level 3, etc.

If you don't have a gym, then you should ask to volunteer at a USASF certified gym in your area and let that owner sign-off for you. That's what I'm doing because I don't have a gym. Hope this helps.

 

[SarahS]

Eta - holy moly - why did this show up in my alerts? Lol - so sorry for resurrecting a reeeeally old thread.