Education - Coaching Credentials
AASCF 2012 Student credentialling information pack
The Australian All Star Cheerleading Federation is proud to present the
IASF/USASF INTERNATIONAL CHEERLEADING COACH CREDENTIALING PROGRAM!!
We credential in all states of Australia!
The USASF credentialing courses have now become the Worldwide standard for coaches & athletes!
The United States All Star Federation (USASF) Coach credentialing comprises of 6 levels & is the ultimate way to learn about cheerleading coaching and keep your teams SAFE!
Cheerleading coaches can now be credentialed here in Australia through the Australian All Star Cheerleading Federation (AASCF). We are proud to be a part of introducing the IASF/USASF coach and athlete credentialing program that is being rolled out in a world-wide effort to educate coaches and athletes about safety and proper instructional techniques.
The IASF/USASF Coach Credentialing process with focused time on training the specifics of hands-on and written exam elements that will help you become the safest and most efficient coach possible, involving individual preparation before the course as well as intensive instruction on the day of hands-on exams.
Rosemary Sims, one of the directors of the “Australian All Star Cheerleading Federation” (AASCF), International Regional Director (IRD) for the IASF/USASF, gym owner, USASF World Advisory Board member, USASF Level 6 accredited Coach & AACCA accredited coach and her gym is the first Australian company to join the United States All-Star Federation (USASF) and adopt the USASF established safety rules.
Rosemary is also an official IASF/USASF coach creditor in Australia initially offering credentialing up to level 5 to start coaches moving towards safer cheerleading; we credential in all States of Australia.
Coaches Credentialing
The IASF/USASF exam system consists of THREE components.
a. Written exams
b. Hands-on components
c. Experience components (NEW)
i. Coaches must have specified hours of coaching experience in each category they are credentialing in. The hours required depend on the level a coach is wishing to qualify within (see below).
ii. To sit exams in level 1 and 2: AASCF highly recommends that coaches have at least a base knowledge of vocabulary and basic skill understanding prior to attending a credentialing session! Preliminary clinics can be arranged to prepare you if required.
iii. To sit exams in levels 3 and 4: Coaches must have at least 100 hours coaching experience at levels 1 and/or 2 of the area in which they wish to qualify (tumbling, stunts, and/or tosses.)
iv. To sit exams in level 5: Coaches must have experience listed above PLUS at least 150 hours coaching experience in levels 3 and/or 4 of the area in which they wish to qualify. This means a TOTAL of 250 hours of coaching experience with AT LEAST 150 hours dedicated to coaching levels 3/4.
v. Programme directors/head coaches must sign Experience Validation Forms (EVFs) for each core area and for all coaches within their coaching staff (or for 3 themselves if applicable) and provide written documentation on how the experience was accomplished. Please note that AASCF has the right (and ethical obligation) to make further inquiry about coach experience hours and levels to confirm eligibility for exams if deemed necessary.
Testing levels and areas now offered are:
a. Tumbling levels 1-5.
b. Stunts levels 1-5.
c. Tosses levels 2-5. (Level 1 tosses exam does not exist because tosses of any kind are not allowed at that level)
The Hands-On portion of credentialing is proving you understand how to teach certain skills within each level. No, you will neither have to perform these skills nor will you be working with athletes during the testing. However, you will have to explain to an instructor how to perform each skill just as if you were coaching a team. The instructor will have a list of key points that you must cover in order to pass that skill and or level. You do not have to cover the key points word for word as listed on the instructor’s paper. The instructors job is to validate that you cover in your own words the key points of each skill in order to teach proper technique and ensure that you know what you are talking about in order to keep the athletes safe.
I have set the IASF Coach Credentialing & Education dates for the first part of 2012, the venues are not confirmed but they are reliably in their stated cities.
- Saturday January 14th – Wesern Australia
- Saturday January 21st– South Australia
- Saturday January 28th-- Melbourne
- Saturday February 4th-- New South Wales
- Saturday February 11th-- Queensland
All of the other States & locations not mentioned will have IASF Coach Credentialing either connected with their Winterfest or State Championship, which ever comes first.
If you would like an independent date for the IASF Coach Credentialing, we will need a minimum of 15 coaches, or else if you cover the cost of our flights and accommodation, we will work with as few as 6 coaches at the normal rates.
For bookings for the 2012 IASF Coach Credentialing, please contact Rosemary- rosemary@aascf.com.au
Also below are the 2012 AASCF Competition Dates
AASCF ALL STAR WINTERFEST CHEER & DANCE SEASON STARTER
Newcastle (NSW) – June 23rd and 24th
Geelong (VIC) – June 30th and July 1st
University Games at Latrobe Valley (VIC)- July 2nd and 3rd-: Please enquire by emailing rosemary@aascf.com.au
Brisbane (QLD) – July 7th and 8th
Gawler (SA)- July 22nd
Illawarra (NSW) – Jul 29th
AASCF ALL STAR STATE SERIES
18th and 19th August – Western Australia (Belmont)
25th and 26th August – Queensland (Brisbane Entertainment Centre)
2nd September – South Australia (Adelaide)
8th and 9th September – New South Wales (Sydney Homebush)
16th September – Australian Capital Territory (Canberra Tuggeranong)
22nd and 23rd September – Melbourne (MSAC)
AASCF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
26th (evening), 27th ad 28th October – New South Wales (Sydney Homebush)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I register?
To hold your place in any exam sitting, you must submit your Registration Form and payment in full. Upon receipt of your complete registration, you will receive confirmation of your reserved space via the e-mail address you provide for us on your registration. For more detailed information please download the IASF/USASF Coach Credentialling Information & Registration Pack from our FORMS section
Why does the Australian All Star Cheerleading Federation administer IASF/USASF Credentialing in Australia?
AASCF is a designated Australian provider of the USASF Coach Credentialing program. While we believe there is no substitute for experience, we also believe that Coach Credentialing is a vital tool to educating our industry leaders and keeping our athletes as safe as possible. It protects the safety, integrity, and public perception of the cheer community. The AASCF presentation of USASF Credentials involves expert training through classroom instruction, interactive time with other coaches, hands-on training and hands-on exams coupled with written exams. Obtaining your USASF Coaches Credentials will allow you to gain vital understanding of the cheer community, the rules and procedures, progressions, safety issues, various training methods, and skill-specific techniques. It will also connect coaches in a vital support system with other coaches
How does it work?
On the credentialing day, you will receive various methods of classroom instruction and interactive training on how to “coach” the skills for each level. Written exams and hands-on exams for each level/core area allow coaches to demonstrate the ability to properly teach specific skills in a safe and effective manner. The written exams and hands-on score sheets will be mailed by us to the USASF in America for scoring. You will receive your results and award certificate via post once the exams have been scored.
What is covered at each level?
Written exams are open-book and hands-on exams require that you can demonstrate the ability to successfully teach the skills. You do NOT have to perform them. (Note that you do not have to credential to the same level in all areas. For example, it is possible to credential to level 1 in stunts and tosses and to level 2 in tumbling.)
Do I have to renew my credentials? If so, how often?
At this time, credentialing exams are valid for 3 years. Because training and technique changes so rapidly, coaches will need to undergo refresher courses when the 3 years expires.
What is the minimum age for Coach Credentials?
The minimum age for coach credentialing is eighteen (18) on the day of the exam