USA Gymnastics University: Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction Course

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Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction

**NEW COURSE**

Course Description
This course was designed to provide gymnastics professionals with a knowledge base of key principles and proven coaching techniques used in gymnastics today. The topics of coaching principles, basic safety and risk management, communication, supervision and instruction, teaching gymnastics skills, athlete development and preparation, and more are covered in this comprehensive introductory course. Each unit contains a "Coaches Clinic" segment with common terminology as well as video demonstrations of beginning recreational skills and progressions.

This course will be beneficial to all gymnastics professionals - both experienced and inexperienced. Instructors new to the sport of gymnastics will find this course provides a valuable foundation on which to build their education and skills. Experienced professionals can use this course as a self-assessment to fine-tune their own skills and coaching philosophy as well as align with industry best practices. All gymnastics professionals will gain greater insight, knowledge, training tips, and ideas throughout the course.

The focus of the Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction Course is predominantly on the recreational gymnastics levels, however the information is applicable to all levels, from preschool, to school-age, to competitive athletes. The skills presented are basic skills advancing no higher than levels 2 or 3. All gymnastics disciplines are covered including women's artistic, men's artistic, trampoline, rhythmic, and acrobatics.

Course Outline

Unit 1: Introduction to Gymnastics

Coaches Clinic: Floor exercise

Unit 2: Your Role as a Coach or Instructor

Coaches Clinic: Uneven Bars & Balance Beam

Unit 3: Gymnastics Safety

Coaches Clinic: Vault & Trampoline

Unit 4: Class and Practice Management

Coaches Clinic: High Bar & Parallel Bars

Unit 5: Athlete Development

Coaches Clinic: Pommel Horse & Still Rings

Unit 6: Teaching Gymnastics Skills

Coaches Clinic: Rhythmic & Acrobatic Gymnastics

Additional Course Info

Course Access: This online course is available to all gymnastics professionals, teachers, and others with an interest in gymnastics instruction. Both USA Gymnastics members and non-members can register for and take this course. See complete registration information below. Individuals must be 15 years of age or older to register for this course.

Once registration is complete, users will have access to the course for 30 days from the date of registration. The course must be completed during this time or re-registration is required. Users can log in and out of the course as often as you wish during the registration period.

Course Fees:

Professional, Jr. Professional, Introductory Coach, and Jr. Intro Coach member - no charge (registration is still required)

Instructor, Foreign Instructor, and Athlete members - $15

Non-members - $25 (Become a member - take advantage of educational discounts for this course and others and earn additional benefits!)

NOTE: Online course fees are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another individual.

Course Completion Requirements: When beginning the course, it is important to review the Getting Started document, linked from the top of the Course Outline screen in the course. This document will walk you through a check of your computer settings, explain the navigation of the course, and detail the course completion requirements to help you make the most of your experience in the course.

Users should completely view all course material including text, narration, and videos. It will take approximately 5 hours to complete the course. There is a quiz at the end of each unit. Each of the six quizzes must be completed and passed with a grade of 100% in order to complete the course. Quizzes include 5-10 questions each, are NOT timed, and unlimited attempts are permitted.

Certification: At the conclusion of the course, users can access and print a course completion certificate acknowledging their completion of the Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction course.

The Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction course is the core requirement for USA Gymnastics University Level 1 Certification in the Program and Recreational Colleges. Upon successful completion of this course, an individual will automatically receive this certification, no additional applications or requirements must be fulfilled. Within 4-6 weeks of course completion, individuals will receive a hard copy University Level 1 Certificate in the mail from USA Gymnastics.

NOTE: If you are taking this course as part of your club's Member Club complimentary registration, you will have access to the entire course and the education, but will not receive certification upon completion. Registration must be in the individual's name in order to receive certification.

Course Materials: All course materials are provided as downloadable .pdf documents from within the course. There are several resources linked from the Course Outline screen and others are available from within the course. Please take the time to download and save these materials. There is no additional handbook provided with the course. Several suggested supplemental resources containing related information and references are listed at the bottom of this page.

Registration - Registration must be completed online. Please read all course and registration information before proceeding.

Before you can register for the course, you must be a current USA Gymnastics Member (Professional, Jr. Professional, Intro Coach, Jr. Intro Coach, Instructor, Foreign Instructor, or Athlete) or have applied for a username and password with USA Gymnastics. You will need your USA Gymnastics member number, password, and credit card for payment in order to register. You must register as the person taking the course.
There are different registration links based on your membership type (e.g., PRO, INST). Please be sure to click the correct link to ensure your ability to register and the correct fees for the course registration.
If you are not a member or do not have a current membership, please complete the Username Request Form in order to receive a username and password which will allow you to register for this course as well as other online education through USA Gymnastics. You should receive your username and password within one week of application submission. You can then use this username and password to register for the course below.
At the conclusion of the registration process, be sure to click the Go to E-Learning Center button to activate your registration in the Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction course.
Individuals will have access to the online course for 30 days from the date of registration. The course must be completed during that time.
Participants will receive a course completion certificate online at the end of the course. Please print the certificate within your 30-day registration period.

Desired Action Link You Will Need...

Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction Course Registration

Members with the following member types, use this link::

Professional (PRO)

Junior Professional (JPRO)

Introductory Coach (ICOA)

Junior Introductory Coach (JCOA)

REGISTER

Login with the user ID and password of the person who will be taking the course

Individual USER ID (your current 6 digit USA Gymnastics membership number) and password (initially set to your birthdate in MMDDYYYY format)

Valid credit card

Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction Course Registration

Members with the following member types, use this link::

Instructor (INST)

Foreign Instructor (FINS)

Athlete (age 15 or older) (ATHL)

Non-members (with username and password)

REGISTER

Login with the user ID and password of the person who will be taking the course

Individual USER ID (your current 6 digit USA Gymnastics membership number) and password (initially set to your birthdate in MMDDYYYY format)

Valid credit card

Begin / Continue Taking the Course (for all member types) BEGIN / CONTINUE COURSE

Login with the user ID and password of the person who had registered for this online course.

Your Individual USER ID (your current 6 digit USA Gymnastics membership number) and password (initially set to your birthdate in MMDDYYYY format).

Request a USA Gymnastics Username/Password for Course Registration USERNAME REQUEST FORM For non-members to obtain a username and password in order to be able to register for the course using the link above. Complete contact and demographic information for the person registering for the course.

Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction - Additional Links

USA Gymnastics University FAQ - Frequently asked questions covering general course and registration questions as well as questions regarding USA Gymnastics University certification program.
USA Gymnastics University certification program - for more information on the University certification program and specific college requirements.

Supplemental Course Materials: This list of supplemental materials contains items that are available for purchase through the USA Gymnastics Online Technical Materials store. These materials provide additional resources, references, and continuing education in areas covered by the Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction course.

Gymnastics Risk Management - Gymnastics Risk Management is the official text of the USA Gymnastics Safety/Risk Management Certification course and contains valuable information in the areas of safety and risk management.

Safety Posters - including Coaches & Instructors Safety Guidelines, Athlete Responsibilities, Trampoline Safety Tips, Guidelines for Foam Pits, and others.

Rookie Coaches Guide - In this guide, you will learn how to successfully apply coaching principles in teaching developmental gymnastics skills to young athletes.

Sequential Gymnastics II - This book is packed with fitness activities and beginning gymnastics skills designed for gymnastics students in elementary school physical education classes, gymnastics clubs, and recreational gymnastics programs.

Professional Development Program Kit - includes Rookie Coaches Guide, Sequential Gymnastics II, PDP DVD, workbook and tests. The PDP Level 1 certification is no longer available, it has been replaced by the Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction Course. However, the materials are still valuable resources. These materials can also be purchased separately.

Various resources on conditioning and athlete development - including Physical Preparation #1 and #2, Conditioning, Psychological, and Nutritional Readiness, The Fifth Event: A Conditioning Plan

Women's JO Compulsory Program - the text book and DVD are available which provide further examples, drills, and progressions for introductory gymnastics skills as well as compulsory exercises.

Men's Basic Skills Achievement Program - A valuable resource for beginner boys gymnastics, which includes basic skills, drills, conditioning exercises, and serves as a progressive curriculum for beginning boys gymnastics.

T&T Program Materials - including Basic Trampoline - The Beginning Steps and JO Routines DVD among others

Rhythmic Gymnastics Levels 1 & 2 Training DVD and Student Workbook - provides skill examples and progressive curriculum

Acrobatics Pre-Team Program
- Provides an easy, step-by-step program for getting started in acrobatics, including skills, progressions, lesson plans and more. This resource is available as a free download from the Acro Program web page.

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Desired Action	Link	You Will Need...
Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction Course Registration Members with the following member types, use this link:: Professional (PRO) Junior Professional (JPRO) Introductory Coach (ICOA) Junior Introductory Coach (JCOA)	REGISTER	Login with the user ID and password of the person who will be taking the course Individual USER ID (your current 6 digit USA Gymnastics membership number) and password (initially set to your birthdate in MMDDYYYY format) Valid credit card
Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction Course Registration Members with the following member types, use this link:: Instructor (INST) Foreign Instructor (FINS) Athlete (age 15 or older) (ATHL) Non-members (with username and password)	REGISTER	Login with the user ID and password of the person who will be taking the course Individual USER ID (your current 6 digit USA Gymnastics membership number) and password (initially set to your birthdate in MMDDYYYY format) Valid credit card
Begin / Continue Taking the Course (for all member types)	BEGIN / CONTINUE COURSE	Login with the user ID and password of the person who had registered for this online course. Your Individual USER ID (your current 6 digit USA Gymnastics membership number) and password (initially set to your birthdate in MMDDYYYY format).
Request a USA Gymnastics Username/Password for Course Registration	USERNAME REQUEST FORM	For non-members to obtain a username and password in order to be able to register for the course using the link above. Complete contact and demographic information for the person registering for the course.