American Sport eEducation Program: A Division of Human Kinetics

Being the dedicated sales person that I am, a few years ago I started officiating softball and basketball so I could better relate to the organizations I work with. This was all well and good with the youth sport director in my area, but what he really struggles with is recruiting soccer officials. So I volunteered for that too.

Tips on how your organization can host its own heart-smart, get-the-kids-moving, track-and-field event. It’s easy to organize and a great way to unite your community, provide some friendly competition, and most importantly, get youth involved in physical fitness.

The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and the American Football Coaches Foundation (AFCF) have partnered with the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) to offer AFCA coaches the opportunity to participate in online professional development courses for graduate, undergraduate, and continuing education credits through the newly developed AFCA Coaches Education Program.

Last Friday night, I gave 8 of my 11 players more playing time than they had received during their entire just-completed and hyper-competitive school season. The other three are highly skilled and head-and-shoulders above their teammates. This creates a challenge for me as coach in keeping everyone motivated, cohesive, and team-oriented when there is such a wide range of talent.

In addition to my position at the American Sport Education Program, I spend my summer evenings and weekends officiating soccer matches here in the Champaign, Illinois area. I love it so much that I recruited my teenage daughter to become an official as well. It's good exercise and good pocket money. Overwhelmingly the experience has been positive for both of us, but it's not totally without its trials. A few weeks ago we were officiating a weekend tournament and, unfortunately, my daughter had a bad experience with one of the coaches.

“We’re extremely excited to bring ASEP courses to coaches and teachers in Illinois and across the country through our partnership with Carl Sandburg College,” says Amy Tocco, American Sport Education Program (ASEP) executive director.

Through Outreach Programs at James Madison University (JMU), Harrisonburg, Va., coaches and teachers across the country will soon have the opportunity to take the American Sport Education Program’s (ASEP) Coaching Principles online course for continuing education units (CEUs) and graduate and undergraduate credit.

The American Sport Education Program (ASEP) in conjunction with the American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) introduce CPR/AED for Coaches, a new course in the ASEP Professional Coaches Education Program's Bronze Level.

All head coaches and assistant coaches at Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, Tennessee, are now required to take the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) Sport First Aid course to ensure they’re adequately trained to be competent first-responders.

What behaviors and achievements should we promote and celebrate in our youth sport programs?

I wanted to write and let you know that as a parent of a player, I appreciate the job you are doing.

ASEP’s Program Services team has many functions vital to the successful operation of the educational programs and services we provide our valued customers.

As the ability of our athletes has risen, has the competency-level of our coaches kept pace? Do we demand more of our kids than our coaches?

Human Kinetics Mission: To produce innovative, informative products in all areas of physical activity that help people worldwide lead healthier, more active lives.

ASEP founder receives award among respected athletes.

How to excel at being a youth sport parent.

Do you have contact with people interested in physical activity and fitness? Would you like to use your knowledge of your field in a new way? If you have contact with physical education teachers or administrators, or professionals working in park districts, YMCAs, community health centers, or health clubs, we want to hear from you!

The American Sport Education Program (ASEP) brings the hardwood to the hard drive with Coaching Basketball Technical and Tactical Skills online course, a new online course specifically for coaches who work with competitive basketball organizations.

I learned something new while I was officiating soccer this weekend at a local tournament: Having a deer running around on the field will delay the game. I've been through a number of rigorous officiating clinics to get "patched," but this was one scenario (that even included a tranquilizer gun) which was never addressed.

In preparing for the upcoming season, you’ve probably gone out and purchased the traditional coaching tools such as coaching clothes, sport shoes, a whistle, and a scorebook. They’ll help you in the act of coaching, but to be successful you’ll need five other tools that cannot be bought. These tools are available only through self- examination and hard work; they’re easy to remember with the acronym COACH.

As an ASEP Coaching Principles or Sport First Aid instructor, you have access to Web-based tools that make it easy for you to administer your classes. Through the Instructor’s Homepage area of the ASEP Web site, you can generate student identification numbers, complete and submit your course report forms online, and retrieve students’ test scores.

One of my favorite coaches once told me, “Anyone can learn the Xs and Os, but one of the most challenging aspects of coaching is getting into the heads of the athletes.” Why do athletes sometimes show high intensity and other times appear oblivious to what’s going on around them? Why do some kids participate in a sport for many years while others drop out only after a few? The answers to these questions revolve around athletes’ motivation which is influenced by both personal and situational factors.

Dixie Boys Baseball, Dixie Youth Baseball, and Dixie Softball have partnered with the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) to provide online training and certification for Dixie coaches beginning February 2007.

“March Madness” usually conjures up images of brackets, office pools, and the oft-scrutinized selection committee. For many youth sport administrators, “March Madness” means being on a selection committee of one charged with finding 64 coaches for their spring and summer sports teams.

PONY Baseball and Softball has partnered with the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) to provide online training and certification for PONY coaches beginning February 2007.

The American Sport Education Program (ASEP) brings the diamond to the desktop with Coaching Baseball Technical and Tactical Skills online course, a new online course specifically for coaches who work with competitive baseball organizations.

BRL and Ripken Baseball are establishing a leadership role in youth baseball and softball by requiring all Babe Ruth League coaches to successfully complete coaching education and certification by July 31, 2008.

National Association of Police Athletic /Activities Leagues Inc. (National PAL) has partnered with the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) to provide online training and certification for National PAL coaches beginning February 2007.

The idea of online education is not uncomfortable to young officials. They've been exposed to it throughout their school years. For many, online learning is "old school." And those behind them will only be more comfortable with it.

The National Center for Catholic Youth Sports (NCCYS) has partnered with the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) to provide online training and certification for NCCYS coaches beginning January 2007.

The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) and the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) recently announced an extension of their long-standing coaching education relationship for another year.

Two of the country's premier youth baseball and softball organizations, Babe Ruth League (BRL) and Ripken Baseball Inc. (RBI), have partnered with the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) to provide online training and certification for the organizations' nearly 200,000 baseball and softball coaches beginning December 2006.

High school officials and instructors in the states of Oregon and Ohio can now take online courses to satisfy certification requirements in their respective states. Developed and delivered by the American Sport Education Program in conjunction with National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), Officials Education Program online courses provide officials with a convenient avenue for gaining instruction on general officiating principles and sport-specific mechanics.

The New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association (NHIAA) has signed a two-year agreement with the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) requiring all coaches in NHIAA member schools to complete ASEP’s Coaching Principles and Sport First Aid courses, as well as have a valid CPR certification, beginning school year 2006-07.

The Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association (PSADA) has signed a five-year agreement with the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) to endorse the PSADA Coaches Education Program for all interscholastic coaches in Pennsylvania.

As August approaches and we’re inundated with “back to school” sales, we’re sure many of you are gearing up to start conducting Coaching Principles and/or Sport First Aid clinics for fall sports. To ensure your clinics run smoothly, we wanted to remind you of a few things before heading back to the “classroom”

The American Sport Education Program (ASEP) brings the gridiron to the desktop with Coaching Football Technical and Tactical Skills online course, a new online course designed for football coaches of youth age 14 and older.

The Amateur Athletic Union Football division (AAU Football) has teamed with the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) to offer online training opportunities through ASEP’s Coaching Youth Football online course.

Now, the shoe is on the other foot. And, believe it or not, the fit is pretty comfortable. After spending countless years as a youth baseball coach, I turned my attention to umpiring. The thought was that after questioning and criticizing umpires for so many years, it would only be fair to stand in their shoes and work the game like it should be worked.

Barrington Youth Football (BYF) feels that everything they do should have the kids’ best interest first. “We feel better training for our coaches translates into a better experience for our players,” says Kurt Kubon, BYF Coaching Coordinator. Barrington Youth Football (BYF) has adopted the American Sport Education Program’s (ASEP) coaching education courses as part of the requirement for becoming a flag and/or tackle football coach in its program.

Belly up to the concession stand at the next youth sporting event you attend, and take a look at the menu that’s being offered. Burgers, hot dogs, nachos, chips, candy, soda...Not exactly healthy choices.

This contradiction of ideals led Lyle McCoon, Jr., athletics director at Nicholasville/Jessamine County Parks and Recreation, Nicholasville, Ky., to implement a concessions stand with healthy alternatives to the traditional fare. “One of the natural observations that arose was the irony of us selling unhealthy food during a program with a principle goal of promoting good health,” muses McCoon.

The USA Archery Coach Development Committee (CDC) has teamed with the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) to provide online training opportunities for USA Archery coaches through the ASEP Professional Coaches Education Program.

The American Sport Education Program (ASEP) brings the gridiron to the desktop with Coaching Youth Football Fourth Edition Online Course—PDF, a newly released online course designed for football coaches of youth age 14 and under.

"We’re focused on providing quality professional development choices for our coaches,” said Stephen Wilkins, Project Manager for the Chicago Public Schools Department of Athletic Administration. This focus has fueled a program offering coaching education courses to Chicago’s 2,000 public school coaches through weekend workshops and teacher in-service days.

The USA Volleyball Coaching Accreditation Program (USAV-CAP) has teamed with the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) to provide online training opportunities for USAV-CAP coaches through the ASEP Coaches Education Program.

Following are six steps to train your officials successfully.

Six steps to host a successful Coaching Youth Clinic.

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) introduce NFHS Officiating Track & Field and Cross Country Methods.

The Virginia High School League (VHSL) Coaching Education Program has been granted accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE) as meeting its standard coaching education requirement.

The 80's rock band, Journey, had a hit song with the lyrics, "Any way you want it, that's the way you need it." I couldn't help thinking it would be a great theme for NFHS Officials Education Program.

To be an effective youth sport program director, you need to know a little about everything. Finance. Human resources. Risk management. Marketing. Fundraising. Event planning. Most sport administrators have the knowledge, but are desperate for the tangible tools to get the job done.

Did you know that coaches who attend your clinics can take their Coaching Principles and Sport First Aid tests either paper-pencil using the scan form or online through the ASEP website? Did you also know that there are three different versions of the paper-pencil test and three entirely different versions of the online test for both courses?

On the course report form that you submit to ASEP after your clinic, you’re asked to provide names and ID numbers of coaches in attendance. For the ID number, coaches have a choice: They can either enter their Social Security number or have ASEP generate an ID number for them.

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) recently announced sweeping changes to its coaching education requirements by implementing the entire NFHS/ASEP Coaches Education Program. MIAA expects to train up to 4,000 coaches over the next three years.

Perhaps it's time we train our parents just as we do our coaches and players. As a matter of fact, more and more sport organizations are doing just that.

The American Sport Education Program (ASEP) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) introduce NFHS Officiating Soccer Methods, an online officiating mechanics course offered through the NFHS Officials Education Program. MORE

The American Sport Education Program (ASEP) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) introduce NFHS Officiating Soccer Methods and NFHS Officiating Basketball Methods, online officiating mechanics courses offered through the NFHS Officials Education Program.

This May, the California Interscholastic Federation Council passed a revision to Article 22.B.9 requiring all coaches in California to complete essential training before coaching high school sports.

The National Coaching Education Conference brought together dignitaries from around the world of coaching education in Orlando, June 9-11 for this annual gathering hosted by the National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE) and USA Coaching Coalition.

Coaches are responsible for providing an environment that supports all players. But many coaches feel unprepared to address anti-gay slurs or comments among team members. A new resource for sport administrators, coaches, parents, and athletes from It Takes a Team and the Women’s Sports Foundation provides information and practical strategies that address such situations.

Featuring the unparalleled expertise of coach Tom Bass and USA Football, Coaching Youth Football is the definitive playbook for the parent-turned-coach.

USA Football has teamed with the American Sport Education Program to bring coaching education resources to youth football coaches.

The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) has teamed with the American Sport Education Program to bring coaching education resources to WBCA coaches.

The American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) has stepped up to the plate to endorse Coaching Baseball Technical and Tactical Skills, a new title from the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) scheduled to release later this year.