What does it take to become a Certified Archery Instructor or Coach?  

Review the Certification Program outline below.

Also on this page, links to:

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In June of 2011, the USA Archery Board of Directors approved a revision to the Certification Program. The information below is the revised program and will go into effect on January 1, 2012.

USA ARCHERY COACH

CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

  

LEVEL 1 INSTRUCTOR (formerly BASIC)

A Level 1 Instructor is most closely associated with a "grassroots" program that is short-term in scope and focused on introducing basic archery skills to beginners.  Such programs would include: camps, Scouting, 4-H, and Parks and Recreation.

Course content: Range safety, range set-up, basic equipment setup and repair, and how to teach the basic steps of shooting.

Length of Course: 8-12 hours

Prerequisite: 

Course Cost:  certification fee plus instructor fees (varies depending on instructor).

Certification period: Three years

LEVEL 2 INSTRUCTOR (formerly INTERMEDIATE)

A Level 2 Instructor will be working in a more established archery program such as J.O.A.D., A.S.A.P., college clubs and local clubs with a strong beginner component.  Level 2 Instructors are also certified to teach Level 1 courses.

Course Content: Basic shooting steps, introduce intermediate shooting steps, safety, range set-up; equipment setup and repair, fitting equipment to an archer, how to teach archery and how to teach a Level 1Instructor Course.

Length of Course: 16-20 hours

Prerequisites: 

• Background check: see attachment on right "Background Screening Information"
• minimum age:  18; 
• USAA membership

Course Cost: certification fee plus instructor fees (varies depending on instructor) and background screening. 

Certification period: Three years

Level 2 Instructors looking to advance into a coaching role that focuses on individual athlete development. Level 3 Coaches are certified to teach Level 1 and Level 2 courses.

Course content: Introduce coaching philosophy, training cycles/plans, competition preparation, mental aspects, equipment tuning, National Training System (NTS).

Length of Course: 20-24 hours

Prerequisites:

• Background check: see attachment on right "Background Screening Information"
• Membership
• Must have been: 
  • 1. An Intermediate Instructor for one year - or
  • 2. Pass an exam to ‘test out' of the Intermediate level and verify three years experience in an archery instructor capacity.

Course Cost: certification fee plus instructor fees (varies by instructor) plus background screening. 

Certification period: Three years

LEVEL 4-NTS COACH (formerly REGIONAL)

Level 3 Coaches looking to advance their coaching skills and become eligible for USA Archery national camps and team appointed positions. Level 4 Coaches are certified to teach Level 1 and 2 courses.

Course content:  Sports science in archery, psychology, nutrition, and biomechanics and emphasis on the National Training System.

Length of Course: One week

Prerequisites:

• Background check:  see attachment on right "Background Screening Information"
• Must have been a Community Coach for two years
• USAA membership

Course Cost: certification fee plus background check.

Certification period: Three years

 COACH TRAINER (formerly CCCL)

Level 4 or Level 5 coaches who want to be certified to teach Level 3-NTS Coach course.

Course content: Best practices of teaching, program development, skills and tools to help others become more effective coaches.

Length of Course: There are 2 routes to Coach Trainer certification-

1.  Successful completion of 2-day Coach Trainer course.   
2.  Team-teach a Level 3-NTS Coach course with another Level 3 Coach Trainer.

Prerequisites:

• Background check:  see attachment on right "Background Screening Information"
• Level 4-NTS or Level 5 coach certification
• USAA membership
• ASEP Coaching Principles certification

Course Cost: Based on options above-

1.   $250 for 2-day Level 3-NTS CT course.
2.   Travel or other costs associated with team-teaching a Level 3-NTS coach course.

Certification period: Three years

 

To achieve Level 5 Coach status, applicants need to demonstrate a strong understanding of the National Training System, effective interaction with athletes and are in the role of personal coach to athletes attaining national levels or higher.

Length of Course: N/A - By application to High Performance Committee.

Prerequisites:

1.     Level 4-NTS coach certification for 2 years

2.     Current USAA membership

3.     ASEP Coaching Principles certification

4.     Have received training and practical supervision in the National Training System.

5.     Background check: see attachment on right "Background Screening Information"

6.     Personal coaches to archers who have reached or more of the following levels:

a.     JOAD National podium placement

b.     College National podium placement

c.      Jr. USAT top 5 ranking

d.     Sr. USAT top 10 ranking

e.     Sr. or Jr. Nationals podium placement

f.      Olympic, World or International team member

Required activities:

• Currently under revision.

Course Cost: N/A

Renewal period: Three years

MASTER COACH

Honorary designation recognizing contributions to the sport and USA Archery from coaches who have served at the Olympic, Pan Am Games and World Championship levels.

Nominated to Coach Development Committee, approved by USAA Board of Directors.