The National Federation of State High State Associations, the governing body in high school sports, recommends that high school baseball coaches participate in coaching certification courses. Coaches can become certified through the federation or through other nationally recognized organizations, including the Babe Ruth League and American Sports Education Program. Coaching certification provides baseball coaches with the tools they need to succeed at the high school level.
Beginner Certification
Beginner certification teaches coaches with little or no baseball coaching experience. Coaches obtain information on how to instruct players and how manage a baseball team. They learn baseball philosophies, how to communicate with their players, first aid, technical skills, tactical skills, how to run practices and how to prepare for game day. The Babe Ruth League Coach Education center indicates that this course should take two to three hours to complete. Coaches receive reading materials, audio materials, interactive exercises and quizzes and can take a 30-question certification test at the end of the course.
Advanced Certification
Advanced certification courses are for experienced baseball coaches looking to continue their education as well as seasoned coaches without certification. Coaches learn advanced technical and tactical skills via PDF documents, audio files, videos, interactive exercises and quizzes. At the end of the course, coaches take a 40-question quiz for certification. The Babe Ruth League Coaching Education Center estimates that advanced coaching certification takes approximately six to eight hours to complete.
General Education
The National Federation of State High School Associations offers a general coach certification curriculum. This certification prepares coaches to coach any sport at the high school level and provides training on how to better manage and interact with players on the baseball team. This curriculum teaches the fundamentals of coaching, first aid, CPR, handling parents, general physical fitness and good sportsmanship. A similar program is offered through the American Sports Education Program. These programs are taught online and allow coaches to work at their own pace. While not required, the United States Sports Academy indicates that 40 states are recommending their coaches participate in a coaching certification program.
Course Formats
High school baseball coaching certification can be completed online at your own pace. You simply log on and are able to access study materials, quizzes and the certification tests. Most materials are printable if you would prefer to study away from your computer. The American Sports Education Program offers a textbook sent once you have signed up for a coaching certification course. The courses are broken down into sections that cover a certain aspect of the game and coaching and provides a quiz to test your knowledge at the end of the unit.
Continuing Education
Coaching certifications are valid for three years. After three years, coaches are eligible to renew their certification by completing continuing education courses. Courses offered online through the federation cost $75 as of January 2011 and allow you to maintain your certification for the next three years. Coaches have up to a year from purchase date to complete the course.
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