FAQ's about the NFHS Spirit Coaches Education Program

1. What is the NFHS Spirit Coaches Education Program?

It is a national program to educate coaches of cheerleading, dance, drill and pom. It was created because of a tremendous need for spirit coaches education in this country. Since it is very difficult to hire and retain spirit coaches, the NFHS believes that coaches education is the most critical component in developing safe, successful high school spirit programs. The NFHS is proudly partnered with UCA and AACCA to offer an outstanding list of courses that will develop coaching skills in safety, administration, and technique.

    2. Will I be certified when I complete the NFHS Spirit Coaches Education Program?

No. The NFHS does not CERTIFY anyone. What the program does is give you a credential for each level of the program, stating that you have completed the required four (4) courses. This is merely a matter of semantics, but is important to recognize that this is NOT a certification program.

3. What courses will I take for the NFHS Spirit Coaches Education Program?

There are three (3) levels of credentials for this program -- Bronze, Silver, and Gold. To see the descriptions of the courses available, go to the NFHS.org Web site and click on Spirit Education. On that page, click on Information. The NFHS Spirit Coaches Education Program and the red brochure with all the information will come up. We also have a link to the aacca.org Web site to get to the information as well.

4. What courses are in the Bronze level, or the first level I take?

For the Bronze level of the NFHS Spirit Coaches Education Program, you will need to take Spirit Program Management, the AACCA Safety Certification Course, one technique course (partner Stunt Progressions, Motions Jumps and Tumbling, or Dance Technique) and one additional NFHS elective of your choice. Once the Bronze level is completed, coaches who are members of the NFHS Spirit Association will receive an additional $1 million of liability coverage.

5. How can I find a course in my area or state?

The NFHS Web site will be the place for information. Currently, we have 43 State Spirit Directors for the NFHS Spirit Coaches Education Program. These directors will work with the NFHS and their respective state coaches associations and state athletic/activity associations to set up courses. These directors will also promote the program and work with their state cheer and dance associations to make sure that courses are offered at the various state conferences and workshops. If you are interested in a specific course, you will need to contact the organization that teaches that course to find out if there are classes in your area. Contact information is as follows:

AACCA Safety Certification: Call AACCA at 800-533-6583 or go to its Web site at aacca.org

For technique classes (Partner Stunt Progressions 1 and 2, Dance Technique 1 and 2 and Motions, Jumps, and Tumbling), contact UCA at 800-238-0286 or go to its Web site at www.varsity.com and find your local representative by putting in your zip code at the right.

6. Will any of the courses be online?

Presently, the NFHS/American Red Cross/USOC Sport Safety course is online. The cost is $45 and you can find it by going to the the NFHS Web site and clicking on NFHS Coach Education and the Sport First Aid for Coaches.

7. What is the cost of the courses?

All courses in the NFHS Spirit Coaches Education Program are three (3) hours long and $40. The exception is the AACCA Safety Certification course which costs $75.

8. I'm in a school that requires all coaches to take a First Aid course and CPR. Do I need to take it again for this program?

No. If you can show proof of completing the First Aid course and your CPR card, that counts as the course for the NFHS program.

9. Who do I contact when I have a question about the NFHS Spirit Coaches Education Program?

The best source for your questions is the NFHS office in Indianapolis at 317-972-6900. Courtney Kelly, administrative assistant to Susan Loomis at the NFHS, is the contact person in the NFHS office. She will be able to answer your questions. You may e-mail her at ckelly@nfhs.org. Susan Loomis, liaison for all spirit groups at the NFHS, can also be contacted at sloomis@nfhs.org. Another excellent source is your state spirit director whose name and e-mail will be listed on the NFHS Web site for the NFHS Spirit Coaches Education Program.

10. Do I have to renew any of the courses in the NFHS Spirit Coaches Education Program?

The only course that must be renewed every four years is the AACCA Safety Certification. All other courses are good forever.

11. I know the NFHS writes and publishes the NFHS Spirit Rules Book. How do I get a book and whom do I contact if I have a rules question?

You can order an NFHS Spirit Rules Book by going to www.nfhs.com and ordering by credit card. Currently, the rules books are $6.95, plus shipping and handling. If you have a rules interpretation question, you should first contact your state athletic/activities association or your state rules interpreter. If your state athletic/activities association does not govern spirit groups, contact Susan Loomis at sloomis@nfhs.org and she will be happy to answer your concerns.