Level I Coach Certification
The UPA Level I Coach Certification Program was first designed by Joe Bisignano, Tiina Booth, Michael Baccarini, Barbara Denison, John Sandahl, and Kyle Weisbrod during 2003. In 2009, the Level I clinic were restructured into two workshops to better meet the needs of our coaches:
Coaching Ethics Workshop
This half day workshop covers the basic ethics and standards required for UPA coaches. Discussions will use the UPA Code of Ethics and Spirit of Coaching documents as starting points to gain a deeper understanding regarding issues of liability and insurance, fairness, teaching self officiating and professionalizing the role of coaches in Ultimate. In training our coaches, we seek to create a safe and positive environment for our players. Whether you are a new coach or an experienced coach, an understanding of the UPA’s policies in this area is a must. In order to receive UPA Level I certification, coaches must attend the full day Ethics & Performance Workshops.
This workshop covers:
* How to behave professionally while coaching
* Liability and Insurance
* How to teach self officiating
* Ethics and Fairness in Coaching
* How to promote the sport and get new players hooked
Coaches will receive:
* UPA Coaching Ethics Manual
* UPA Coaching Code of Ethics
* UPA Coaching Corp disc from Discraft
* UPA Coaching Corp Hydro shorts from Five Ultimate
Cost for this workshop only: $45 plus current UPA membership (Friends & Family, Coach and/or Player level)
Coaching Performance Workshops (Level I Certification)
This full day workshop includes the morning ethics workshop (as described above), followed by an afternoon dedicated to modeling quality instructional methods in teaching basic skills and running a practice. Coaches will have the opportunity to practice teaching methods and share ideas. Both workshops are interactive and instructors are well trained in creating a comfortable atmosphere for learning and building community. Coaches who participate in the Ethics & Performance Workshops will be eligible for Level I certification by passing a background check and an online assessment following the workshops.
This workshop covers (in addition to the topics from the Ethics workshop):
* How to teach the game and strong fundamental skills to new players
* Fitness and conditioning
* How to run an effective practice
* How to utilize parents
Coaches will receive:
* All the goodies listed above, plus:
* UPA Coaching Performance Manual
* UPA Coaching Corp disc bag from Five Ultimate
* Ultimate Fitness DVD
* Ultimate 101: Laying out the game DVD
* Access to the UPA Certified Coach Yahoogroup
* Additional team discounts from Five Ultimate
Cost for both workshops: $75 plus current UPA membership (Coach and/or Player level)
(Note: at this time we do not offer the Performance workshop for coaches who have not yet taken the Ethics Workshop)
Whether you are new to coaching, or have been coaching Ultimate for years, these workshops will provide a lively and interactive experience that both builds communities and professionalizes the role of coaching in Ultimate.
And, although you must be 21 years of age in order to receive certification, high school captains are welcome to attend the clinic and will find the program useful.
Level I Certification is good for 2 years.
Coaches and volunteers who seek certification from the UPA must consent to a background check at the time of their application. The background check is conducted by a third party, Intellicorp Records, Inc. using the “Criminal SuperSearch” search. The results of the search are provided to the UPA for screening purposes only. The UPA reserves the right to deny certification to coaches or volunteers when the background check or other information indicates felonies, any crimes involving children, any violent crimes, any crimes of a sexual nature or any other conduct or information causing the UPA to deny certification.
The UPA Coach Certification is a statement only that the coach has successfully completed a program that teaches skills, tactics, strategy, rules and the Spirit of the Game. The UPA is not in any way certifying the moral character of any coach or volunteer. The background check performed for the UPA should not be relied on or used as a replacement for purposes of your own background check or investigation and/or complying with any requirement that might be imposed by a school district, sports league, etc. The UPA's background check is current as of the time the coach or volunteer applies for certification.
Level I Coach Clinic Reviews:
"The level of understanding and experience about coaching Ultimate that Michael brought to the clinic was simply amazing. He must be the ultimate Ultimate coach's coach! I learned what is important about teaching Ultimate to beginners, spirit of the game aspects, conditioning techniques and making practices fun, profssionalism in dealing with young players, etc. Michael brought tremendous integrity and a wealth of experience to the clinic and I can't imagine a better experience for people wanting to learn to teach Ultimate"
"The instruction was outstanding. I went into the clinic wanting to learn more but not really sure that coaching Ultimate was something I wanted to do. As a result of the clinic, I am inspired to be an Ultimate coach! And, becuase of the class exercises and discussion and material provided in the clinic, I feel competent and capable of teaching Ultimate to beginners."
"I learned exactly what I wanted to learn"
