Becoming a Gymnastics Coach

The journey to becoming a certified gymnastics coach is open to anyone passionate about the sport, whether they have a background as an athlete, a parent, or simply as someone interested in teaching and guiding others.

The Gymnastics Foundations (GF) pathway is an excellent starting point for those looking to become certified coaches in the sport. Here’s a quick breakdown of the key steps involved:

• Minimum Age
  • To begin training, you need to be at least 15 years old by the weekend of the course you’d like to attend. This rule is strictly followed at a national level.
• Education – (The Foundation Courses are required to start your coaching career)
  • The Foundations Pathway consists of three main courses:
    • Foundations Theory: Provides an introduction to coaching principles and sport-specific knowledge.
    • Foundations Introduction: Focuses on the basic teaching techniques and understanding of coaching gymnastics.
    • Foundations Sport-Specific: Covers the core areas of gymnastics, such as:
      • Artistic Gymnastics
      • Trampoline
      • Active Start (targeted towards younger children)
  • These courses help coaches understand the fundamentals of gymnastics and how to apply them in a training setting.
• Practical Experience
  • Aspiring coaches are required to gain practical experience by working with certified coaches. This hands-on experience helps to refine skills and better prepare individuals for the actual coaching role and completing their evaluation package for certification.
• Certification
  • After completing the Foundations courses, you can become certified in specific areas:
    • GF Artistic
    • GF Trampoline
    • GF Active Start
  • Certification indicates that you are competent in these areas and are ready to begin coaching on your own at the foundational level.
• Continued Education
  • Many coaches continue their education by taking more advanced NCCP courses, such as:
    • Competition Introduction (C1) for Women’s Artistic, Men’s Artistic, Trampoline, and Acro.
    • Competition Introduction Advanced (C2) for Women’s Artistic, Men’s Artistic, and Trampoline
    • Competition Developmental (C3) for Women’s Artistic, Men’s Artistic, and Trampoline
    • Competition Developmental Advanced (C4) for Women’s Artistic, Men’s Artistic, and Trampoline
  • AGF Congress, GFA Getaway, NCCP workshops, and many more. Ongoing learning helps coaches stay updated and progress in their careers.

Registering for the Courses

• • Create a Profile and Obtain an NCCP Number:
    • Visit coach.ca the locker to create your profile and get your NCCP number. This is a necessary step before registering for any NCCP courses.
  • Create an Account on AGF’s Uplifter Registration Platform:
    • Click Here to create an account or register for courses
      • Minors Under 18
        • If you’re under 18, your guardian will need to create the main account and then create an individual account within that.

Below you can find more information about the Gymnastics Foundations courses and the certification process.

 

Gymnastics Foundations Course Information

To view availability for any of the courses below click here

Gymnastics Foundations INTRODUCTION (9 hours)

Prerequisites: Minimum age 15
This one day NCCP course is taught in the gym and is an active course. It is relevant to all gymnastics disciplines (Active Start, Artistic, Trampoline & Rhythmic). The course will cover the Fundamentals of gymnastics while developing Fitness abilities and having Fun.

Gymnastics Foundations THEORY (4 hours)

Prerequisites: Minimum age 15
This 4 hour NCCP course will take place in an online classroom setting and is applicable to all gymnastics disciplines. It will cover the modules Planning a Practice and Making Ethical Decisions. Upon completion of the THEORY course all coaches should complete the online MED (Competition Introduction) evaluation. See MED section for more details.

Gymnastics Foundations Discipline Specific Course (9 hours): Active Start | Artistic | Trampoline

Prerequisites: Minimum age 15
We are currently running 3 discipline-specific NCCP courses. Each of these one-day courses will provide information specific to each discipline and will take place in a gym setting.

• Active Start (AS):
  Prerequisites: Minimum age 15, GF Theory, GF Introduction, & GF Artistic
  This course is designed for coaches working with preschool age children. Coaches are introduced to the AS approach, the AS child, the AS lesson and the AS program.
  Coaches will be equipped to coach participants under 6 years old.
• Artistic:
  Prerequisites: Minimum age 15, GF Theory, GF Introduction
  Coaches will learn Fundamental Movement Patterns (landings, stationary positions, locomotion, rotation, spring and swing) and basic skills specific to artistic gymnastics.
  Coaches will be equipped to coach Recreational Artistic participants 6 years old and older.
• Trampoline:
  Prerequisites: Minimum age 15, GF Theory, GF Introduction
  Coaches will learn progressions and safety tips for teaching basic jumps, body landing skills, adding twist before or after a skill and combination skills specific to trampoline gymnastics. This course does not include any inverted skills.
  Coaches will be prepared to coach Recreational Trampoline participants 6 years old and older.

Gymnastics Foundations Certification

THEORY + INTRO + SPORT SPECIFIC (Artistic, Trampoline etc.) = TRAINED

“TRAINED” coaches may independently coach their own group of athletes as long as there is a “Certified” coach who is 18 years or older in the gym at all times. Coaches are encouraged to only coach athletes at their present level of training or below. “TRAINED” coaches may proceed through the coaching pathway and are eligible to take Competitive Introduction (C1) courses in their specified discipline.

 

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]