ATHLETE PROTECTION TRAINING
Athlete Protection Education USA Swimming is committed to raising awareness about athlete protection and prevention of abuse in sport. We are proud to partner with Praesidium, an industry expert in abuse prevention, to bring the swimming community customized and comprehensive training tools for coaches, and volunteers.
BACKGROUND Check
Since 2007, all coaches are required to successfully complete a Background Check through the USA Swimming background check provider. Coaches are responsible for renewing their Background Check every two years.
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Prior to registering for the first year of coaching, a coach must present evidence of having completed and passed the following courses: CPR, First Aid, and Safety Training for Swim Coaches.
SAFETY TRAINING FOR SWIM COACHES
A coach takes the Safety Training for Swim Coaches written test online and then proceeds to a Red Cross instructor to demonstrate the required water skills. There are two options to this procedure: the Fast Track Option and the Written Test Only Option.
Foundations of Coaching
Foundations 101 must be completed prior to registering for the first time as a coach member. The course and test takes approximately 90 minutes (Cost: $15). All material is contained within the online course.
Foundations 201 is a more comprehensive course of approximately 4 hours and must be successfully completed prior to registration for the 2nd year of coach membership (Cost $25/available June 3rd). All material is contained within the online course.
Rules and Regulations is a separate 30 question test completed on the USA Swimming website. Completing this test is the 2nd required component to fultill the Foundations 201 requirement (No cost). The Rules and Regulations test is based on the current USA Swimming Rulebook.
The DVD based online test is no longer available for new coaches.
Racing Start Certification
In May of 2009, USA Swimming’s Board of Directors modified the racing start rule, 103.2.2 (which already provides that racing starts should only be taught in at least six feet of water) to further clarify that racing starts should only be taught under the direct supervision of a USA Swimming member coach, and to expand the definition of teaching racing starts to make clear that no swimmer who has not been certified as proficient by his or her coach should be performing racing starts into less than six feet of water.
All clubs must ensure that all team members are certified and that coaches understand and comply with the certification process. Failure to do so could jeopardize club and coach insurance coverage.