Level
1 Certification
Level 1 certification is the first level of certification
within USA Gymnastics University. It is the foundation
of education for the University and is essential for
coaches, instructors, judges, and administrators at
all levels. The education provided at Level 1 will provide
a solid start for individuals new to the sport of gymnastics
as well as providing a great review for more experienced
gymnastics professionals.
Requirements
for Certification
Level 1 certification requirements are the same across
all colleges within the University. The core requirements
of Level 1 certification are:
- Safety/Risk
Management Certification - This course
focuses on risk management, including environmental,
program and legal factors, as well as sports injury
care and special gymnastics safety factors. The course
addresses the two basic areas of risk in gymnastics
- risk of injury, which is the primary risk, and risk
of a lawsuit.
- First
Aid Basics - This course provides basic
first aid information including injury prevention,
common types of gymnastics injuries and risks and
the symptoms and treatment of those injuries. It also
includes general information on other life threatening
conditions. This course has been written specifically
for the sport of gymnastics and uses many examples
and situations common to the sport. (NOTE: First
Aid Certification through the American Red Cross or
American Heart Association will be accepted as an
alternative to this course. Proof of current certification
must be provided to USA Gymnastics.)
- Fundamentals
of Gymnastics - This course will include education
in the areas of SAFETY - responsibilities of gymnastics
professionals, coaching philosophy, legal considerations,
equipment safety and maintenance; FUN - gymnastics
terminology, benefits of the sport, communication,
lesson planning, activities; and ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT
- conditioning and progressions, warm-ups and cool-downs,
teaching skills, nutrition, psychology basics; and
much more. (NOTE: this course is scheduled to be
available by the end of 2008.)
All three core courses must be completed before certification
will be granted. There are no elective or practical
experience requirements at Level 1.
Continuing
Education Requirements
Certification is valid for 4 years. To maintain certification
at Level 1, individuals must complete 10 credits of
education prior to certification expiration. Continuing
education requirements can be completed at any time
during the 4-year period. The 10 credits of continuing
education may come from any combination of the following:
-
Elective course work, such as attendance at Regional
or National Congress, program clinics or workshops,
completion of other USA Gymnastics courses, etc.
- Renewal
of Safety/Risk Management Certification (4 credits)
- Renewal
of First Aid Basics Course or First Aid Certification
(2 credits)
General
Certification Information
To earn certification, individuals must be:
- 16 years of age
- A member of USA Gymnastics (Professional, Junior
Professional, Instructor)
Once
the Fundamentals of Gymnastics course is available,
additional information will be provided on the Level
1 Certification application processes.
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