Making it official

[Flessan]

Ok, so here goes.

I've had 4 official students for about a year. We occasionally practice together now, and that's it. I just took on 6 students this month (all of varying abilities and styles), and have decided to go ahead and get at least a base USBC certification.

Now, I had asked my boss (since I work at a bowling alley) to set me up for that, as I had been coaching his Junior program on Saturdays. He told me I'd have to do it on my own. I held off for a bit and the house told the coaching staff that they would be denied their coaching status if they did not get the USBC certification. The only problem I saw there was that the house would not pay to reimburse the coaches. In my opinion, if you're going to tell people they have to pay to provide THEM with a service, then they should at the very least, reimburse the coaches.

Between that, and the fact my career at the bowling center has gone absolutely no where but walked over, I'm having to give up the alley for a better paying job.

___________(Short Version)________________

Since I should soon be working a consistent DAYTIME schedule, my nights will be fully open for coaching again. As such, and the fact that I'll now be able to afford to pay for certification, I would like to know if anyone can tell me about how long the courses take, how much they cost, and anything else you feel like telling me.

[PinSlayer]

Ok, so here goes.

I've had 4 official students for about a year. We occasionally practice together now, and that's it. I just took on 6 students this month (all of varying abilities and styles), and have decided to go ahead and get at least a base USBC certification.

Now, I had asked my boss (since I work at a bowling alley) to set me up for that, as I had been coaching his Junior program on Saturdays. He told me I'd have to do it on my own. I held off for a bit and the house told the coaching staff that they would be denied their coaching status if they did not get the USBC certification. The only problem I saw there was that the house would not pay to reimburse the coaches. In my opinion, if you're going to tell people they have to pay to provide THEM with a service, then they should at the very least, reimburse the coaches.

Between that, and the fact my career at the bowling center has gone absolutely no where but walked over, I'm having to give up the alley for a better paying job.

___________(Short Version)________________

Since I should soon be working a consistent DAYTIME schedule, my nights will be fully open for coaching again. As such, and the fact that I'll now be able to afford to pay for certification, I would like to know if anyone can tell me about how long the courses take, how much they cost, and anything else you feel like telling me.



Well who gets all the money from the lessons? Not including games bowled or rented lane.

If you get 100% of it then yes you should pay for it on your own because your working for yourself. If the house gets it then pays you a % then they should cover it since your working for them.

It's only $60 for the basic membership. I screwed up and took it again then later found out that The old one I had taken would have been good enough according to USBC. O well.. It was a good refresher. Next year I plan on taking the Bronze level.

[HammerTime7288]

Why don't you look into coaching a HS team?

I have to take a $220 ASEP certification seminar (1-day) but I'll be making $4200-ish for four months.

Basic and Bronze level are one day things, Silver is a full day I think. Gold is labor intensive and expensive.

Good luck. Sorry to hear the house isn't helping.

[TenPinSniper]

Level 1 is USBC's Basic Course it's now on-line. When it was Leader Led (LL) it took one day. Cost is $60... Now it's a Self Paced on-line course.

Level OneTo take the USBC Coaching Level One online course, go to the USBC e-Learning site and follow the steps to register and take the course.This online class offered through the USBC e-Learning Center covers fundamentals that apply to youth and adults and includes topics such as:

Roles and responsibilities of a coach
Progression of skills from two-handed delivery to the basic four-step approach
Sport safety
Maintaining a positive teaching approach and environment
Adding fun to your youth program
An overview of programs and opportunities
Analyze video case studies
This seminar also uses on-lane instruction to assist with the practical application of knowledgePrerequisite: None. Youth must be 13 years old to attend this class.Class fee: $60 (includes all materials)

[TenPinSniper]

BronzeTo take the USBC Coaching Bronze course, you must first have successfully completed the Level One course, then go to the Bronze schedule (http://usbcongress.http.internapcdn.net/usbcongress/bowl/coaching/pdfs/coaching-bronze_conference_schedule.pdf) and follow the steps to register and take the course.This 2 1/2-day conference is an intermediate level of training and certification designed to increase your coaching skills and professionalism. This conference is recommended for high school coaches.The Bronze certification conference focuses on coaching fundamentals and covers:

Philosophy of coaching
Fine tuning the physical game
Lane conditions and adjustments
The mental game
Components of the bowling ball
Dynamics of ball motion
Videotaping
Video analysis
Giving a lessonPrerequisite: Successful completion of Level One. Must be 16 years old to attend this class.
Conference fee: $295 (includes all materials)

[TenPinSniper]

SilverTo take the USBC Coaching Silver course, you must first have successfully completed the Bronze course, then go to the Silver schedule and follow the steps to register and take the course.This three-day conference is an advanced level of training and certification designed to increase your coaching skills and professionalism to an advanced level. This course is recommended for collegiate coaches.The Silver certification conference focuses on advanced techniques and skills and covers:


Finite adjustments to physical game
Building a bowling ball arsenal
Advanced lane adjustments
Matching ball surfaces to lane conditions
Advanced mental game concepts
Video analysis
Establishing a practice plan to develop and expand a bowler's options in competition.Prerequisite: May attend training after a one-year period following successful completion of USBC Coaching Bronze certification Youth must be 17 years old to attend this class.
Conference fee: $465 (includes all materials)

[TenPinSniper]

GoldTo your USBC Coaching Gold certification:


You must have successfully completed the Silver course
E-mail coaching@bowl.com (coaching@bowl.com) or call (800) 514-BOWL, ext. 3169 to discuss the next stepsUSBC Coaching's Gold certification program is the culmination of years of knowledge and experience. Becoming a USBC Gold coach requires that you complete all requirements and exercises outlined in the Gold Guidebook and successfully demonstrate skills and knowledge to a panel during a final review session.Although you must be a USBC Silver coach to apply for the Gold level, you can be a USBC coach at any certification level and purchase the Guidebook to work toward this goal. The Gold Guidebook outlines the disciplines you'll need to master and provides information on the knowledge and experience standards required within each discipline. The guidebook also recommends sources of information and options to fulfill those requirements.The USBC Coaching Gold certification process is similar to obtaining a PhD in a field of study, requiring demonstration of knowledge through practical application and discussion. The final review program requires you to conduct lessons and clinics for bowlers of various skill levels while being evaluated by the final review board, which consists of active USBC Gold coaches and USBC staff. The board also engages you in discussions on subjects related to the disciplines.Costs: Gold Guidebook: $25
Expense to complete domains will vary
Final Review Session: $800
This is an optional training course offered by USBC Coaching

[TenPinSniper]

Why don't you look into coaching a HS team?

I have to take a $220 ASEP certification seminar (1-day) but I'll be making $4200-ish for four months.

Basic and Bronze level are one day things, Silver is a full day I think. Gold is labor intensive and expensive.

Good luck. Sorry to hear the house isn't helping.

ASEP??? I'd like to see the link to the information on that one.

As you can see your USBC was way off...

When I did the old Level 1 Coach Course, Leader Led it took one day. It was actually pretty complete. It's the base for them to build off to step up to Bronze.

Think everyone would agree right now the USBC Course are top notch. The are covering their latest research in the Bronze Course. Ball Motion Study and the Two Handed Delivery (Bio-Metric's from Jason Belmonte). Along with a ton of other useful information.

[Flessan]

Well who gets all the money from the lessons? Not including games bowled or rented lane.

If you get 100% of it then yes you should pay for it on your own because your working for yourself. If the house gets it then pays you a % then they should cover it since your working for them.

It's only $60 for the basic membership. I screwed up and took it again then later found out that The old one I had taken would have been good enough according to USBC. O well.. It was a good refresher. Next year I plan on taking the Bronze level.

All fees are given to the house. The coaches get a pass for 15 free games a month which may only be used for the students if coached outside of the lesson time (and that is if there isn't some sort of random interim stipulation placed upon the games at checkout by the general manager). The coaches are on a volunteer basis. I do not charge my personal students.

____________________________________________

I appreciate all of the information ya'll have provided. This will probably be a several year plan. I intend to at least acquire silver level.

[TenPinSniper]

All fees are given to the house. The coaches get a pass for 15 free games a month which may only be used for the students if coached outside of the lesson time (and that is if there isn't some sort of random interim stipulation placed upon the games at checkout by the general manager). The coaches are on a volunteer basis. I do not charge my personal students.

____________________________________________

I appreciate all of the information ya'll have provided. This will probably be a several year plan. I intend to at least acquire silver level.

I'd say your paying for the knowledge you keep the pay. Are they supply a Video Camera w/ tri-pod, Bowlers Map, DigiTrax or Cats.... anything like that?

[Flessan]

Negative, they just provide the lanes and the time...

[idlehourlegend]

With Bronze basically its like the Kindergarten of bowling, you learn the basics, your fully capable to coach newer bowlers and beginners, but not so much the more seasoned bowlers. I have the Bronze, have since I was 14, just I think I've told 3 people total, I took the course and when I got done with it I was mad that I paid for it because I already knew all of it, it was all just basics your taught when you first start to bowl. Never had the push to take the Silver etc. for that reason, I know with me personally I feel that more expierienced bowlers shouldnt go to anything less than a Silver coach or an older bowler with a lot of expierience thats been doing it a long time. I know a lot of people around here are Bronze certified and think they know everything when they really are just beginners themselves, theres a big difference between a bronze coach thats been bowling a while and knows what there talking about and a bronze coach that just knows whats in those books.

My advice would be to get the bronze certification, but also look up to see if theres a Silver coach in your area and ask him/her if they still have their books and read up on the information thats in those books too, just because you dont have the Silver certification, doesnt mean you cant know just as much as a Silver certified coach. Its a lot cheaper too lol.

Sorry for the long post, just my $.02.

[HammerTime7288]

ASEP??? I'd like to see the link to the information on that one.

As you can see your USBC was way off...

When I did the old Level 1 Coach Course, Leader Led it took one day. It was actually pretty complete. It's the base for them to build off to step up to Bronze.


yeah I know my USBC stuff is way off now.. in fact it's good to know that because I want to look into it anyway.

ASEP has nothing to do with learning about bowling, it's first aid and such. It is required by the state to coach a high school team of any variety. I am saying if the OP is confident in their ability to coach and doesn't want to go the USBC route, they can check out getting certified and coaching for a HS team.

If my work paid coaches (all volunteer besides youth coordinator) then I would look into the USBC program more. I may do it for my own information later on in life.