USA Coaches Certifications

Coaches Certifications

Copper Certification

This certification is an introduction to the principles of coaching youth wrestling (12 and Under) and is required to coach at some USA Wrestling events.  Please check tournament info (or state policy) for minimum certifications to coach as they may vary from event to event. We recommend this course for coaches, parents, and volunteers with a focus on coaching young athletes to improve your coaching skills in the areas of recruiting and retaining youth athletes in our sport.

Cost is $50 (down from $58 prior to FY2019).

Delivery is online through your USA Wrestling membership profile at www.USAWmembership.com. Once you have your full Wrestling Leader membership (coach membership), access all our certifications through “Manage” and “Coach Certifications.”

Prerequisites and Curriculum:

Participants must be a current coach member of USA Wrestling (requiring a successful background check and three-part SafeSport certification – both accessed from your membership profile) before attending the clinic (either in-person or online).  Please allow 7-14 days for your background check to be completed before planning to attend a certification course. The SafeSport course is free and lasts 90 minutes. It is also accessed from your membership profile. Please ensure the email address on your profile is valid before making payment (and that no other coach has used this email to take a USA Wrestling course).

Copper Certifications consist of a 4 hour classroom (with your state office) or online clinic with testing after each Module. Coach certifications with USA Wresting are valid for life – unless removed for disciplinary actions.

Awards and Continuing Education Credits:

Participants completing the online (or in-person) course will be Copper Certified Coaches through the National Coaches Education Program (NCEP) of USA Wrestling. The Copper Certificate and a new USA Wrestling membership card (showing your Copper Certification) will be sent to the address you list on your membership profile (please allow 6-8 weeks for processing and delivery of these awards). USA Wrestling will update your coach profile with the certification (typically within 2-3 business days). Once we update your profile, you’ll be notified via email that you can now print a membership card online from your profile as proof of certification and membership.

The Copper Certification contains 12 contact hours (4 hour in person or online instruction including testing and 6 hours recommended reading and review of course topics). 10 contact hours equates to 1 Continuing Education Unit credit.

Please contact Mike Clayton at 719.265.3631 if you have questions regarding the online course.

Bronze Certification

The USA Wrestling Bronze Certification is a comprehensive coaching education program for coaches, parents and volunteers who are committed to expanding their knowledge in the art and science of our sport focusing on athletes ages 13 and up. The focus is on developing and sharing information on Sports Science, Sports First Aid, Ethics, Goal-Setting, Periodization, Evaluation, Admin and Wrestling Techniques, Strategies and Tactics.

Please note: this certification is required to coach at most USA Wrestling National, Regional, and State Level events. Please check tournament schedules for minimum certifications as they may vary from event to event.

Cost is $80 (in-person clinic fees may vary by state).

Delivery is online through your USA Wrestling membership profile at www.USAWmembership.com. Once you have your full Wrestling Leader membership (coach membership), access all our certifications through “Manage” and “Coach Certifications.”

Prerequisites and Curriculum:

Participants must be a current coach member of USA Wrestling (requiring a successful background check and three-part SafeSport certification – both accessed from your membership profile) before attending the clinic (either in-person or online).  Please allow 7-14 days for your background check to be completed before planning to attend a certification course. The SafeSport course is free and lasts 90 minutes. It is also accessed from your membership profile. Please ensure the email address on your profile is valid before making payment (and that no other coach has used this email to take a USA Wrestling course).

Bronze Certifications consist of a 6 hour classroom (with your state office) or online clinic with testing after each Module. Coach certifications with USA Wresting are valid for life – unless removed for disciplinary actions. Copper Certification is not a pre-requisite for the Bronze, however it is a valuable tool for coaches and both Copper and Bronze certifications are required to start Silver Certification tasks as of 1 SEP 2018.

Download the Bronze Coaches Guide (3rd Ed) here https://www.teamusa.org/usa-wrestling/coaches/educational-resources

 

Awards and Continuing Education Credits:

Participants completing the online (or in-person) course will be Bronze Certified Coaches through the National Coaches Education Program (NCEP) of USA Wrestling. The Bronze Certificate, a new USA Wrestling membership card (showing your Bronze Certification), and a small gift of our appreciation will be sent to the address you list on your membership profile (please allow 6-8 weeks for processing and delivery of these awards). USA Wrestling will update your coach profile with the certification (typically within 2-3 business days). Once we update your profile, you’ll be notified via email that you can now print a membership card online from your profile as proof of certification and membership.

The Bronze Certification contains 15 contact hours (5 hours in person or online instruction, 1 hour examination, 9 hours recommended reading in the course text). 10 contact hours equates to 1 Continuing Education Unit credits.

Please contact Mike Clayton at 719.265.3631 if you have questions regarding the online course.

Silver Certification

The USA Wrestling Silver Certification is an optional certification level for coaches who are committed to stretching their professional knowledge of our sport with an open mind. Coaches working on Silver Level tasks will work with the NCEP Manager on practice planning, a 3 day in-person course of on/off mat skills, complete an online course in 3D Coaching, teach a bronze class, gain certification in CPR/AED, and prepare a book report. Tasks may be completed in any order. Some tasks require fees (3D online is @ $110, Silver College costs vary from $295-500 plus transportation).

Prerequisites and Curriculum (as of FY2019, both Copper and Bronze certifications are required to start/complete Silver certification):

Silver requirements are now listed under your Wrestling Leader (coach) profile in our membership system. After a coach completes both Copper and Bronze certifications, they can click on “Manage” and then “Coach Certifications.” Then select “Manage Silver Tasks.”

Participants must be a current coach member of USA Wrestling (requiring a successful background check and three-part SafeSport certification – both accessed from your membership profile) before attending any clinic (either in-person or online).  Please allow 7-14 days for your background check to be completed before planning to attend a certification course. The SafeSport course is free and lasts 90 minutes. It is also accessed from your membership profile.

The Silver Certification contains 101 contact hours (24 hours of in person instruction, 5 hours required teaching at a bronze level clinic, 8 hours of technical certification via submitted practice plans and video, CPR/AED certification, and a new book report). 10 contact hours typically equate to 1 Continuing Education Unit credit.

 

Silver College Dates/Location Info:

            Annual Summer Silver College – TBD, typically at World or Olympic Trial sites (email NCEP Manger for info at [email protected])

            Annual Fall Silver College – USOTC, Colorado Springs CO (email NCEP Manger for info at [email protected])

Check out more great coach resources at https://www.teamusa.org/usa-wrestling/coaches/educational-resources

 

Awards and Continuing Education Credits:

Participants completing the Silver Certification through the National Coaches Education Program (NCEP) of USA Wrestling will receive a new USA Wrestling membership card (showing your Silver Certification), and a gift of our appreciation that will be sent to the address you list on your membership profile (please allow 8-12 weeks for processing and delivery of these awards). USA Wrestling will update your coach profile with the certification (typically within 2-3 business days). Once we update your profile, you’ll be notified via email that you can now print a membership card online from your profile as proof of certification and membership.

The Silver Certification contains 101 contact hours (10 contact hours typically equate to 1 Continuing Education Unit credit).

Note: There are no waivers for this task based on previous athletic accomplishments as this task analyzes coaching skills and not athletic proficiency.

Please contact Mike Clayton at 719.265.3631 if you have questions regarding the online course.

Gold Certification

Gold Certification, the highest level of certification with the National Coaches Education Program, represents years of education, training, research, self-reflection, and a long-term commitment to athlete-centered excellence in coaching the sport of wrestling. The Gold Level program is for coaches with extensive involvement within the coaching profession. Coaches must attain international experience with USA Wrestling’s Coaches Apprentice Program (CAP trip costs @ $4,000) or with selection as a staff member of a USA Wrestling age group tour overseas as a key component to Gold Level Certification as well as other tasks gaged at self-reflection, improving coaching knowledge, and learning what quality coaching really embodies. Check your ego at the door, this certification is designed to ensure Gold level coaches are athlete-centered and building quality young men and women and stronger communities through sport.

 

Prerequisites and Curriculum:

Participants must be a current coach member of USA Wrestling (requiring a successful background check and three-part SafeSport certification – both accessed from your membership profile) before attending any clinic (either in-person or online).  Please allow 7-14 days for your background check to be completed before planning to attend a certification course. The SafeSport course is free and lasts 90 minutes. It is also accessed from your membership profile. All participants are required to have no less than five years of documented coaching experience.

The Gold Certification contains 154 contact hours (56 hours of technical certification with the Coaches Apprentice Program (CAP), 2 hours required teaching at a Silver College, and other required task submissions). 10 contact hours equates to 1 Continuing Education Unit credits.

Check out more great coach resources at https://www.teamusa.org/usa-wrestling/coaches/educational-resources

 

Awards and Continuing Education Credits:

Participants completing the Gold Certification through the National Coaches Education Program (NCEP) of USA Wrestling will receive a new USA Wrestling membership card (showing your Gold Certification), and a gift of our appreciation that will be sent to the address you list on your membership profile (please allow 8-18 weeks for processing and delivery of these awards). USA Wrestling will update your coach profile with the certification (typically within 2-3 business days). Once we update your profile, you’ll be notified via email that you can now print a membership card online from your profile as proof of certification and membership.

The Gold Certification contains 154 contact hours (10 contact hours typically equate to 1 Continuing Education Unit credit).

Note: There are no waivers for this task based on previous athletic accomplishments as this task analyzes coaching skills and not athletic proficiency.

Please contact Mike Clayton at 719.265.3631 if you have questions regarding the online course.

Coaches Certification Clinics

BRONZE & COPPER ONLINE COURSES

Bronze & Copper Level Online Coaches Course ($80/$50, good for life, you have 21 days from the date of payment to complete the course, your hard card arrives 6-8 weeks after completion of the course and the certification posts to your profile typically within 2-3 business days.)

To take the Bronze/Copper Certification, a coach must be a current coach member with a current approved background screening and paid annual coach member fee. The cost of the online bronze course is $80 (copper is $50). To obtain your online course link, access your membership profile by: Clicking Here .

1. Ensure you’ve completed your 2017-18 coach membership annual renewal:

            Requires SafeSport certification (free – 90 min)

            Back ground check ($20 and is good for two membership years that always end Aug 31 – no outside back ground checks accepted)

            Annual coach membership fee (fee varies by state).

2. In your membership profile, select “Go to Memberships,” click on your name, select “Add online bronze (or copper) course to cart.”

3. Check out and pay for the course.

4. The bronze course link will be delivered within one hour to the email address you have listed on your membership profile (please ensure your email address is correct and that it is not an email previously used by any coach member to take one of our online courses).

5. You’ll have 21 days from date of payment to complete the course or repayment is required.

6. The certification will be added to your coach profile, typically within 2-3 business days of completion. Cards are sent 6-8 weeks after completion.

7. If you need proof of your certification sooner than the 6-8 week window (but after the certification has posted to your profile), you can click “Print Card” at the bottom of your membership page and it will print your membership card and show your certification.

8. If you need proof of certification in SOONER than the 2-3 day window, use the automated email you received at the end of the course and provide that to the tournament director, along with your current membership card, and photo ID for proof membership and certification.

Click Here for more information on how to register online

Please contact Mike Clayton at 719.598.8181 if you have questions regarding the online course.

Bronze certs take 3-4 weeks to mail them to you but if you need it sooner, Coaches can print their annual membership card and it will reflect their highest coach certification listed on their profile

Please note: The process for becoming a USAW member can take up to two weeks. Be sure to secure your membership well in advance of the time you plan to take the online course for certification. Coaches who are not USAW members and who wait until the last minute (for example, they have a weekend tournament coming up in a day or two) to obtain their certification will likely find themselves ineligible to coach at that event.

Note: Our membership years starts Sept 1 annual and always ends on Aug 31 (regardless of when you purchase your memberships).