Level 100 

Requirements: Complete and pass the Level 100 Exam and Assessment and successful completion of a background check & course prerequisites.

Candidates: The entry-level coach, who has limited amount of experience, may have been a snowboard instructor or a coach in another sport, and who will be working with entry level athletes in club programs.

Athlete type: Entry level, younger athletes that are just beginning to compete at a local or regional level.They may only be local events with the focus on fun and building a solid snowboard foundation. These athletes are generally on snow 1 or 3 days per week for the winter season.

Course Prerequisites: 

• Currently working as an active coach and registered as a member of USASA.
• Work over 60 hours per season as a coach.
• On Snow Assessment registration verified by one of the following:
  
  • Supervisor/ program director of a USASA or US Ski & Snowboard program.
  • Supervisor of an AASI/PSIA member ski or snowboard school
• First Aid/ CPR Certificate from a qualified provider
• USOPC Safesport
• Background Screen
• CDC Heads Up
• Must be at least 18 years old

Evaluation Criteria:

• A solid understanding, explanation and demonstration of snowboard fundamentals and basics
• The ability to present ideas in a practical coaching session as part of a daily plan
• Professionalism in ALL parts of their demeanor: riding, group interaction and presentation skills
• Effective group handling, teaching and rider analysis skills.
• Riding Skills
  
  • Effective demonstration of fundamental techniques and concepts
  • Switch riding on variety of intermediate terrain
  • Correct structure and form off small jumps and/or features*
  • Introductory rotations such as FS and BS 180’s on small or medium features*
  • Ollies, nollies and some flat land jibbing skills appropriate for introductory level athletes
  • Basic foundation skills in the half pipe.

Level 200
Requirements: Complete and pass the Level 200 Exam and Assessment and successful completion of a background check & course prerequisites.

Candidate: The club coach who is actively coaching competitive snowboard athletes and works with athletes competing in USASA Regional Series and USASA National Championships.

Athlete type: Athletes whose focus is competing at the USASA Regional level with a goal to qualify for the USASA National Championship. Athletes will be on snow between 2 – 4 days per week during the season and may participate in an introductory summer camp.

Course Prerequisites:

• Currently working as an active coach and registered as a member of USASA.
• Work over 150 hours per season as a coach.
• On Snow Assessment registration verified by one of the following:
  
  • Supervisor/ program director of a USASA or US Ski & Snowboard program
  • Supervisor of an AASI/PSIA member ski or snowboard school
• First Aid/ CPR Certificate from a qualified provider.
• USOPC Safesport
• Background Screen
• CDC Heads Up
• 12 months as a Level 100 Coach.
• Must be at least 18 years old

Evaluation Criteria:

• An in-depth understanding of the skills and mechanics of snowboarding and how they relate to dynamic riding across the disciplines
• The ability to present ideas in a practical coaching session as part of a daily plan
• Professionalism in ALL parts of their demeanor: riding, group interaction and presentation skills
• Effective group handling skills
• Identification and correction of riding inefficiencies
• Understanding of lower level course setting and terrain choices for Freestyle, Alpine and SBX
• Riding Skills:
  
  • Dynamic carving as an introduction to correct race technique for athletes
  • Dynamic switch carving and riding in variable terrain
  • High level freeride skills in all terrain types as a building block for SBX Training
  • Demonstrate effective line, body position and technique in the Half Pipe
  • Efficient riding techniques and body positions in all parts of slopestyle features
  • Introductory rotary movements off small or medium park features
  • Dynamic demonstration of correct technique in a basic alpine snowboard race course

Level 300

Please contact Ashley Deibold at ashley.deibold[at]usskiandsnowboard.org to register for Level 300 on snow assessment.

Level 400

Please contact Ashley Deibold at ashley.deibold[at]usskiandsnowboard.org for information on the Level 400 program.

Recognition of Certification Level between USASA / US Ski & Snowboard
Coach certification levels will be recognized by both US Ski & Snowboard and USASA and will be reflected on the member profile in each database. Benefits of certification level will be recognized between organizations but coaches must be members of the relevant organization to receive those benefits.  All coaches must be members of US Skiing and Snowboarding and must also hold a USASA coaches membership to attend a USASA regional or National Event.

Acknowledgement at Events

Both USASA and US Ski & Snowboard recognize all certifications at either organization’s events as stated above. Only certified coaches will be allowed to file protests at any US Ski & Snowboard or USASA event. You must be a member of the organization sanctioning the event.

Foreign Coach Certifications
Recognition of foreign coaches and the certification level will be taken on a case-by-case basis as determined by the Coach Education Committee. Recognition of equivalent US Certification level for foreign coaches will be determined by the following:

1. Letter confirming coach status from the foreign coaches NGB.
2. Recognition of equivalent Coach or Instructor Certification status from the coaches home country

Coaches must be current and active to attend a USASA event in season. Coaches who are in attendance at a USASA or US Ski& Snowboard event who are not active will be subject to the suspension of their membership.