Bronze Level Coaching Principles and Sport First Aid Courses Raise the Bar on Coaching Education

Author: Mark Allemand, ASEP Marketing Director

09/17/2004

ASEP and National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) announce the release of the newly updated Bronze Level courses, Coaching Principles and Sport First Aid, developed by ASEP and delivered through the NFHS/ASEP Coaches Education Program. The courses are available as traditional classroom courses conducted by certified instructors, and, for the first time ever, as online courses.

"The NFHS is extremely excited about the launch of these new courses," said Tim Flannery, NFHS assistant director. "The new revisions of Coaching Principles and Sport First Aid represent the most comprehensive training program for today’s high school coaches," Flannery continues. "And the online versions of the courses provide state associations and individual school districts greater flexibility in implementing the NFHS Coaches Education Program and offer coaches a convenient option for getting the training they require."

"It's the most extensive revision of our Coaching Principles and Sport First Aid courses since the founding of ASEP, plus we’re now able to deliver the courses online, making them far more accessible for coaches," said Rainer Martens, founder of ASEP. "These are powerful learning experiences for coaches that will help them provide safer and better sports programs to high school youths."

The classroom versions of Coaching Principles and Sport First Aid are typically scheduled by state associations and are taught by certified instructors. Coaches who need to take one or both courses in the classroom setting should contact their state association or ASEP for a list of scheduled clinics.

Beginning this year, a new alternative for coaches is to take the courses online. Coaches are encouraged to visit the coaching education section of their state association Web site where they can then link to the ASEP site to purchase either course. After registering, the coach receives a course text, CD-ROM (containing video clips), and a key code (used for course access). With these resources in hand, a coach will be prompted to read chapters of the book and view sections of video prior to completing course units. Coaches take the course exam online and receive immediate results. A score of 80% is considered passing. Those considering taking the online courses should verify prior to registering that online courses meet coaching education requirements in their state.

Coaching Principles and Sport First Aid are two components in the ASEP/NFHS Bronze Level, a comprehensive coaching education curriculum giving basic knowledge to professional coaches. In addition to these two courses, the Bronze Level consists of sport-specific techniques and tactics courses and CPR training.

In 1990, the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) began a partnership with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) to develop and deliver the NFHS Coaches Education Program for high school coaches. Thirty-five states now require NFHS Coaches Education Program courses for their high school coaches.