Coach's Education
Website Designed by Kent Simmons & Maintained by Rita Grunloh


There are three credentialing levels available in the NFHS Spirit Coaches Education Program;
Bronze, Silver, and Gold. In order to attain each level, coaches must complete four courses. Other
than the mandatory courses listed below for the Bronze credential, coaches can select from a menu
of courses that will meet their program needs. Technique courses must be taken in their proper
order (i.e. Partner Stunt Progressions I must be completed before Partner Stunt Progressions II, etc.)

For the Bronze Level, three of the four courses are mandatory. The requirements for the Bronze
Level are:

1.Spirit Program Management
2.AACCA Safety
3.One technique course ("Partner Stunt Progressions", "Motions, Jumps and Tumbling", or "Dance
Technique")
4.One additional NFHS course from the "Course Selections".
* Once the Bronze Level is completed, coaches who are members of the NFHS Spirit Association will
receive an additional one million dollars of liability coverage.

For the Silver Level, four additional NFHS courses must be completed.

For the Gold Level, four additional NFHS courses must be completed.

(See the following page for Course Selections.)


All courses are $40 and three hours in length, except AACCA.
Course Selection

AACCA Safety Certification
This is the United States' leading safety certification course for cheer and dance coaches. The
course focuses on performance readiness, skill progressions, and medical and legal responsibilities
in cheerleading. The safety manual is edited by legal consultant Dr. Gerald George of the University
of Louisiana, Lafayette, where he is the national's leading authority on gymnastics and cheerleading
safety. This course is required for a bronze level credential and costs $75.

Spirit Program Management
This is an overview of how to run a successful spirit program. The course includes discussions of
coaching and school philosophies, personnel policies, program finance which includes establishing a
budget and fundraising activities and the responsibilities of the spirit coach such as tryouts, facilities,
handbooks, calendars, etc. This course is required for a bronze level credential.

Partner Stunt Progressions I
This course focuses on teaching stunts in a safe, progressive manner. Lead-up skills, stunt
bio-mechanics and spotting specifics are also covered in both classroom and "hands-on" settings.

Dance Technique I
This course focuses on teaching dance coaches basic dance technique, dance terminology and
style in a safe, progressive manner.

Motions, Jumps and Tumbling
This course consists of three important elements of cheerleading: motions, jumps and tumbling. The
motion workshop details correct motion placement and offers coaching techniques for improving
sharpness and synchronization. The jumps section covers proper conditioning and technique for the
most common cheerleading jumps. The tumbling portion provides information on tumbling
progressions and spotting techniques.

First Aid and CPR Certification
If you are a coach who is required by your school to take a first aid and CPR course, the NFHS Spirit
Coaches Education Program will accept an approved Red Cross or American Heart Association
course in first aid. You will need to send the NFHS a copy of your CPR certification in order to
receive credit for this course. The NFHS wants all coaches to have first aid training and we will
accept approved first aid courses that your school requires.

NFHS Coaching Principles for Cheer and Dance
This discussion course focuses on the coaching style of the spirit coach and the philosophy of
coaching that accompanies that style. Each participant will take a coaching inventory to determine
his or her coaching style and then will be in roundtable discussions with other coaches of different
styles working through various scenarios of coaching cheer and dance.

NFHS Spirit Rules
This course covers the NFHS Spirit Rules Book and teaches the various parts of the book. Each
participant will learn how to find information in the rules book and what each section discusses. A
brief test will be given at the end of the course.

NFHS/American Red Cross/USOC Sport Safety
This course is designed to help coaches identify and eliminate potentially hazardous conditions in
various sports environments, recognize emergencies and make appropriate decisions for first aid
care. This course meets first aid requirements. Coaches also must complete a CPR course to get
credit for this Sport Safety Course. This course will be delivered exclusively ONLINE for the NFHS at
the price of $45.

Partner Stunt Progressions II
This course further develops the idea of teaching partner stunts in the proper skill progression. It
builds on the techniques taught in the prerequisite course Partner Stunt Progressions I. The course
involves a deeper look at transitional partner stunts as well as alternate ways to mount and dismount
these stunts. As always, safe spotting techniques are reemphasized at each level in the progression.