On Nov. 9, 11AM Eastern, the United States Center for Coaching Excellence will host another Engagement Event. The online seminar will address the role that skill acquisition and motor learning principles play in coach education.

Dr. Andy Driska (Michigan State University), will lead a panel discussion with Dr. Rajiv Ranganathan (Michigan State University), an expert in motor learning principles and research, and John Kessel (currently in private practice, formerly of USA Volleyball).

There are many instances that these principles are not prominently featured but could greatly benefit coaches in their skill development work with their athletes.

Questions will include: What motor learning principles surprise and challenge coaches? What are some effective ways to infuse motor learning principles into coach education? What are some skill acquisition questions and mysteries that we need to address in the next 10-15 years?

In April 2020, the USCCE launched the Engagement Events series to provide virtual opportunities for conversation and collaboration among coach educators and coach developers across sports and sport contexts worldwide

The United States Center for Coaching Excellence (USCCE) announces that Smith College successfully re-accredited its Exercise and Sport Studies Master’s Program under the USCCE’s National Committee for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE). 

Through this accreditation process, NCACE ensures that the program adheres to the characteristics of excellence as prescribed by SHAPE America’s National Standards for Sport Coaches, second edition. These standards feature eight domains of coaching responsibilities and within them, 40 standards and subsequent benchmarks representing the body of knowledge associated with each coaching responsibility and provide concrete examples of actions and orientations that constitute coaching competence.  

As one of only 30 programs accredited within the United States, Smith College clearly stands out as a leader in the United States in quality coach education. The members of the review panel evaluating the program noted, “The program has a variety of assessment and learning opportunities for the students. The greatest strength in this program is that all the students serve as Assistant Coaches in their respective sports [at the college level]. This is an incredible opportunity to learn and practice at the same time. Smith College has an excellent program and should be commended for the work they do.”.

About Smith College Exercise and Sport Studies Master Program

The Smith College M.S. degree is a 53-credit, two year program.  Since its inception in 1985, the graduate program in exercise and sport studies has placed over 300 graduates in coaching positions.  These graduates with diverse, but high quality undergraduate backgrounds, who have had intercollegiate athletic experience as players and/or coaches have been exposed to the bodies of knowledge commonly labeled exercise science and sport studies. 

They have also served as assistant coaches for Smith’s varsity intercollegiate teams and learned sport techniques, pedagogical methods and group dynamics from senior coaches.  In addition, students have had opportunities to study and be involved with the organization and administration of the teams with which they work, the organizations which oversee and govern specific sports, and athletic departments as entities within colleges in which they are placed. 

With a background combining scientific information about exercise and sports, and practical experiences encompassing all aspects of coaching, graduates of the program are ideally suited to take on the role of head coaches of intercollegiate teams. 

About the United States Center for Coaching Excellence and the National Committee for Accreditation of Coaching Education 

The United States Center for Coaching Excellence is the premier authority on coaching education in the United States, providing coaching education programming support and accreditation of programs through NCACE. NCACE offers accreditation and national recognition to sport organizations and institutions responsible for the preparation of coaches at any and all levels of sport.

The rigorous review process ensures alignment with SHAPE America’s National Standards for Sport Coaches, and that coaches are trained to effectively meet the unique developmental needs of every athlete. Through forward-thinking leadership and our team of expert reviewers, the USCCE is uniquely positioned to provide the highest quality, empirically-based guidance for the creation, implementation and evaluation of coaching education programs. 

The United States Center for Coaching Excellence (USCCE) announces that USA Weightlifting successfully accredited its coach certificate program (level 2) under the USCCE’s National Committee for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE). Their Program was accredited at Level 3 Domain (3) Specific Accreditation. 

Through this accreditation process, NCACE ensures that the program adheres to the characteristics of excellence as prescribed by SHAPE America’s National Standards for Sport Coaches, second edition. These standards feature eight domains of coaching responsibilities and within them, 40 standards and subsequent benchmarks representing the body of knowledge associated with each coaching responsibility and provide concrete examples of actions and orientations that constitute coaching competence.  

As one of only 30 programs accredited within the United States, USA Weightlifting clearly stands out as a leader in the United States in quality coaching education. The members of the review panel evaluating the program noted, “The online course is well conceived, organized, and easy to navigate. The course clearly presents key concepts, includes instructional videos and graphics, introduces and summarizes content, and allows participants to reflect and rate their knowledge. It is an excellent instructional tool that complements the face-to-face experience.”

About USA Weightlifting

USA Weightlifting is a nonprofit membership organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee as the national governing body for the sport of weightlifting in the United States. USAW selects and manages the teams that represent the U.S. in international competition, including the World Championships, Pan American Games, and Olympic Games.

More than 30,000 members and over 2,600 clubs strong, USAW serves and promotes the sport at all levels of competition. USAW membership reflects the spectrum of American weightlifters: youth, juniors, collegians, seniors, masters, and those who lift for sport performance, recreation, or fitness. The Mission of USA Weightlifting is to support United States athletes in achieving excellence in Olympic and World competition and to support, promote, and educate a diverse and inclusive community of weightlifting and the use of the barbell in the United States.

About the United States Center for Coaching Excellence and the National Committee for Accreditation of Coaching Education

The United States Center for Coaching Excellence is the premier authority on coaching education in the United States, providing coaching education programming support and accreditation of programs through NCACE. NCACE offers accreditation and national recognition to sport organizations and institutions responsible for the preparation of coaches at any and all levels of sport.

The rigorous review process ensures alignment with SHAPE America’s National Standards for Sport Coaches, and that coaches are trained to effectively meet the unique developmental needs of every athlete. Through forward-thinking leadership and our team of expert reviewers, the USCCE is uniquely positioned to provide the highest quality, empirically-based guidance for the creation, implementation and evaluation of coaching education programs. 

For more information, visit NCACE http://www.qualitycoachingeducation.org or the USCCE https://www.uscoachexcellence.org/