NENSA Coaches Certification Curriculum

This system for coaches certification will be put into action starting with the next Gaining Ground Clinic, August 4-6 in Jericho VT. The curriculum is designed to recognize key theoretical elements and basic competencies involved with coaching. The material provided within the framework of this curriculum will be a work in progress, and will be continually updated to ensure that New England coaches are exposed to the most up-to-date information available. If you have questions about this material please contact Fred or Zach.

 

Level I

  1. Entry-level exposure to coaching cross-country skiing
  2. Novice coaches at club, high school, and BKL level
  3. Assistant coaches

 

Theory - exposed to:

  1. Basic Exercise Physiology
    1. Theory and Application — NENSA Training & Physiology Handbook (published July 23rd ’01…)
  2. Basic Technique and Strength
    1. Theory and Application — NENSA Applied Strength Technique Progressions (published July 23rd ’01…)
  3. Communication Skills

    Competencies:

  4. Has been exposed to or assisted in organizing, directing, and leading club/team/group in year-round activities
  5. Has been exposed to basic exercise physiology, eg, NENSA Training & Physiology Handbook
  6. Has been exposed to fundamental technique progressions for Classical and Freestyle skiing
  7. Has been exposed helping individual athletes implement their training programs
  8. Has been exposed to or assisted in basic equipment preparation and maintenance
  9. Has been exposed to Support System Training, eg, nutrition, flexibility, sports psychology, strength-building, etc.
  10. Has been exposed to race organization, eg NENSA Race Organizers Handbook
  11. Has been exposed to course design and preparation

     

    Recommended:

    1. Grounding in basic coaching principles as they relate to all sports, eg

    A.S.E.P. or similar broad-based coaching education program

    2. 1st Responder First Aid

    Certification Requirement:

  12. Obtain Level I Certificate* for Basic Physiology, Technique and Strength, and Communications
  13. NENSA Member & NENSA Coach

    Continuing Education Requirement:

  14. Obtain two NENSA Level I (or higher) Educational Credits* every three years

     

     

     

    Level II

  15. Head coaches at local club, high school and BKL level
  16. Able to effectively coach entry-level to intermediate cross-country skiers.
  17. Able to effectively direct assistant coaches

    Theory — understands (passes test):

  18. Basic Exercise Physiology
    1. Theory and Application — NENSA Training & Physiology Handbook (published July 23rd ’01…)
  19. Basic Technique and Strength
    1. Theory and Application — NENSA Applied Strength Technique Progressions (published July 23rd ’01…)
  20. Communication Skills

    Competencies:

  21. Able to organize, direct, and lead club/team/group in year-round activities, including dryland programming
  22. Knowledge of basic exercise physiology, eg, NENSA Training & Physiology Handbook
  23. Able to demonstrate fundamental technique progressions for Classical and Freestyle skiing
  24. Able to assist individual athletes in designing & implementing their training programs
  25. Able to demonstrate basic equipment preparation and maintenance
  26. Able to integrate Support System Training, eg, nutrition, flexibility, sports psychology, strength-building, etc. with skiers overall training program
  27. Able to organize and direct races according to Race Organizers Handbook
  28. Knowledgeable in course design and preparation
  29. Has successfully completed NENSA Level II Certification written testing.

    Recommended:

  30. Regular attendance at regional camps, competitions, and seminars
  31. Certified in 1st Responder First Aid

    Certification Requirements:

  32. One year of coaching experience as a Level I certified coach

    And

  33. Obtain Level II Certificates* for Basic Physiology, Technique and Strength, and Communications
  34. NENSA Member & NENSA Coach

    Continuing Education Requirement:

  35. Obtain two NENSA Level II (or higher) Education Credits* every three years

     

     

    Level III

  36. Head coach or Program Director working regionally in educational and competitive program with athletes and coaches

     

    Theory - has achieved mastery in the following areas:

  37. Basic Exercise Physiology
    1. Theory and Application
  38. Technique and Strength
    1. Theory and Application
  39. Communication Skills & Team Building

Competencies:

  1. Able to organize, staff and direct a regional training camp or a level 1-2 clinic
  2. Able to act as head coach or team leader for major competition trip
  3. Able to create educational programs out of training and competition opportunities

Certification Requirement:

  1. Three years coaching experience as a Level II certified coach

    And one of the following

    1. Author a section of the NENSA Coaches Training Manual
    2. Organize a NENSA camp or clinic with an educational component
    3. Lead an open out-of-region competition trip
  2. NENSA Member & NENSA Coach

Continuing Education Requirement:

  1. Obtain one NENSA Level III Education Credit* every year

    NENSA Coaches Education Credits & Certificates

    A NENSA Coaches Education Credit is equivalent to one day of exposure (six to eight hours) to educational programming at the specified level. All NENSA educational programs will specify the NENSA Coaches Education Credits & Certificates offered.

    Level I

    Certificates

    Certificates will be awarded for one-credit exposure to each of the basic theoretical components of the coaches education curriculum; Basic Physiology, Technique and Strength, and Communications.

    Education Credits

    In principle, Level I credits involve exposure to part of the Level I curriculum

  2. NENSA Coaches Clinics — one credit per day
  3. NENSA Club Clinics — potentially one credit per day, depending on individual clinic program
  4. Competition Experience — one credit for participation as a team coach at Eastern Junior Championships or BKL Festival

Level II

Certificates

Certificates will be awarded for a passing test score in each of the basic theoretical components of the coaches education curriculum; Basic Physiology, Technique and Strength, Communications and Support System Training.

Education Credits
    1. NENSA Coaches Clinics — one credit per day
    2. Competition Experience — one credit for participation as Head Coach at Eastern Junior Championships, one credit for participation as staff coach at JOs or other NENSA competition trip
    3. Community Contribution
        1. one credit for a NENN or NENSA Web Site article pending review by Coaches Education Committee
        2. one credit for directing a local clinic or camp pending review

 

Level III

Education Credits
    1. Organize or staff a NENSA Coaches Clinic — one credit per day
    2. Competition Experience — one credit for participation as head coach or team leader for JOs or another NENSA competition trip
    3. Community Contribution — one credit for an approved NENN article, one credit for a contribution to the NENSA Coaches Training Manual, or other coaches education resource

 

Proposed Requirements for Coaching Positions

  1. Eastern Junior Championship staff coach — Level I
  2. Eastern Junior Championship head coach — Level II
  3. JO staff coach — Level II
  4. JO head coach — Level III

Proposed Recognition of Active Coaches

  1. Attendee of any multi-day NENSA Coaches Education program — Level I
  2. Any head coach employed full-time for 5 years — Level II (once Level II certificates are earned)
  3. JO (or other competition trip) head coach or team leader in the past 5 years — Level II (with certificates)
  4. Contributors of written materials to NENSA coaches education programs or handbooks in the past two years — Level III (with level II certificates earned)