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Instructor and Coach Certification Programs

Archery Instructors and Coaches are the foundation of USA Archery's programs, camps and the athlete development pipeline. Obtaining a certification not only provides you with valuable knowledge and hands-on skills, but also boosts the marketing value of your program. USA Archery, the National Field Archery Association (NFAA) and the Archery Shooters Association (ASA) jointly recognize all certification levels.

For more information on Coach Certification programs, contact USA Archery at [email protected] or (719) 866-3460.

Coaching Resources

Level 1 Instructor Certification Icon

Level 1 Instructor Certification

The USA Archery Level 1 Instructor Certification course provides graduates the necessary tools to maintain a high level of safety on the archery range for camps and beginner archery programs. To complete the requirements for this certification, students must successfully pass the USA Archery Level 1 Instructor Certification online course and exam and register for and complete the "in-person" USA Archery Level 1 Instructor Practical Course taught by a Certified Instructor Trainer to officially receive a USA Archery Level 1 Instructor certificate of completion.

The USA Archery Level 1 Instructor Certification online course includes information about range safety, range setup, the steps of shooting, equipment and repair, programs and lesson plans. Graduates of the course will be well prepared to teach beginner archery programs to people of all ages and abilities in a variety of disciplines.

Minimum Age: 15 

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Level 2 Instructor Certification Icon

Level 2 Instructor Certification

The USA Archery Level 2 Instructor Certification online course provides graduates the necessary tools to serve as an instructor for long-term archery programs such as Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD), Adult Archery Program and Collegiate Archery Program clubs, and the Explore Archery Program. To successfully complete the requirements for this certification, students must successfully pass the USA Archery Level 2 Instructor Certification online course, including the online exam and in-person practical. A Level 1 Instructor certification is NOT a prerequisite for this course.

This course combines the USA Archery Level 1 Instructor Certification information with an introduction to the National Training System (NTS) Steps of Shooting for recurve and compound, equipment and accessory setup, athlete development, intermediate coaching techniques and events.

Minimum Age: 18

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Instructor Trainer Certification Icon

Instructor Trainer Certification

The Instructor Trainer certification is an additional certification that current USA Archery Level 2 instructors and higher-level coaches may achieve and is required to teach both the USA Archery Level 1 and Level 2 Practical Courses. Level 2 and high-level coaches may obtain an Instructor Trainer Certification by successfully completing the Instructor Trainer Certification. This course is online and will include all instructions to teach Level 1 and Level 2 Practical courses.

The goal of the Instructor Trainer Certification is to ensure USA Archery Level 1 and Level 2 Instructor Practical Courses are taught correctly and consistently.

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Level 3 Coach Certification Icon

Level 3 Coach Certification

The Level 3 Coach Certification focuses on developing coaches who are capable of utilizing evidence based coaching and teaching methods, understand the finer details and concepts of the National Training System for both Recurve and Compound, and provide organized and effective training programs. Students in the Level 3 Coach Certification Online Course and in person practical course will be introduced to quality coaching, motor learning theory, coaching methods, feedback methods, the National Training System for Compound and Recurve, the mental process, movement analysis, training theory and design, athlete development, coaching philosophy and coach development. To successfully complete the requirements for this certification, students must:

  1. Be a USA Archery member
  2. Submit and pass a USA Archery Background Screen
  3. Complete the Free Center for SafeSport Core Training
  4. Complete the Level 3 Coach Certification Online Course
  5. Complete the in-person Level 3 Coach Certification Practical Course

Minimum Age: 19

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Level 3 Coach Trainer Certification Icon

Level 3 Coach Trainer Certification

The Level 3 Coach Trainer Course provides Level 4 And Level 5 Coaches with the tools to teach the new Level 3 Practical Course. Coaches must complete the new Level 3 Coach Certification Online course prior to completing this course. The goal of the Level 3 Coach Trainer certification program is to ensure USA Archery Level 3 Coach Certification Practical Courses are taught in correctly and consistently nationwide.

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Level 4 Coach Certification Icon

Level 4 Coach Certification

The Level 4 Coach Certification Course develops coaches to be elite level coaches capable of developing high performing athletes for national and international competition. The Level 4 Coach course provides education and training on coaching, communication, sports science in archery, psychology and biomechanics with a large emphasis on the National Training System.

Minimum Age: 20

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Level 5 Coach Certification Icon

Level 5 Coach Certification

The Level 5 Coach Certification Course is a self-paced, independent course which highlights the candidate's ability to coach archers to a high-performance level of achievement using the National Training System (NTS). Level 5 Coaches have the highest knowledge of the NTS and have shown experience with applying the NTS through their coaching.

Minimum Age: 23

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Coaching Certification Schedule

SafeSport

National Symposium

For more information on Coach Certification programs, contact USA Archery at [email protected] or (719) 866-3451.

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