USA Cycling debuts BMX Coaching Certification Program for 2012

Dec 22, 2011

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 3969 times

USA Cycling is excited to announce the start of its BMX Coaching Certification program in 2012. The program’s goals include increasing the knowledge of BMX coaches in the United States and developing a community of coaches to share ideas on the training and preparation of current and future BMX racers. "Launching our USA Cycling BMX-specific coaching program follows a long-term vision we have to help develop BMX riders as well as develop the sport similar to our foreign competitors,” explained USA Cycling’s BMX Program Director Mike King. "The U.S. represents half the world in terms of global BMX participation and by providing better coaching opportunities we feel this will translate into smarter athletes in our development pathway. In addition, it will help legitimize BMX and create membership retention at the local level which will grow the sport."

“We are very excited to partner with USA Cycling to offer coaching certification and look forward to the day that all BMX racers will have access to a trained and certified coach,” said

CEO of the American Bicycle Association, B.A. Anderson. “The sport has so many qualified coaches already and this certification process will just further solidify that a coach is necessary to reach the highest level.”

The program has two levels of certification. The first level, Level A, will be a home-study, self-paced study course. USA Cycling has created a manual, Introduction to BMX Coaching, to serve as the main resource for the course. In order to become a Level A certified coach, the applicant must score 80% or better on the exam. The exam is also self-paced and home-study. The cost of the manual will be $35 and includes shipping via USPS.

The second level of certification, AA, will require attendance at a USA Cycling Level AA coaching clinic. The clinic agenda will include training plan design, basic bike skills, introduction to strength training, and other related topics. The first Level AA clinic will be held at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA February 17-19, 2012. A written exam will also be required to become a Level AA coach. Anyone is eligible to attend this first clinic; however, in the future attendees will be required to be a level A coach before he or she can register for a AA clinic. Registration is available through your “My USA Cycling” page under VIEW AVAILABLE CLINICS.

In addition to passing the exam, all applicants will be required to “pass” a criminal background check and pay an annual fee ($85 for 2012).