USA Racquetball has created a certification program targeted toward developing and certifying potential instructors for health clubs, fitness centers, schools and universities. The course provides essential information for conducting successful group teaching clinics. Four of the nation’s premier instructors, prepare and execute this elite program. Fran Davis, Connie Martin, Tom Travers and Jim Winterton possess over 120 of years’ collective experience in teaching, training, and coaching racquetball as well as in programming instructional clinics and events. The coaching element of the program follows continuing education guidelines of the United States Olympic Committee Coaching Program, and all elements of this new, innovative and exciting approach will prepare potential instructors to provide top quality professional instruction.

Course objectives include: conveying precise knowledge, skills and abilities required to teach racquetball efficiently; developing a clear comprehension and proficiency of the 10 Benchmarks of Instruction necessary to teach and train students; delivering an avenue for continuing education and advancement to assist qualified instructors in maintaining current informational skills; providing an evaluation process that facilitates consistency and quality control for instructional programs across the nation; and developing a high level of competence and confidence relative to primary instructional techniques.

The curriculum begins with a preview CD that illustrates the 10 Benchmarks of Instruction. The program features a  review and application of these core principles and also a review of doubles play. Also incorporated is a skills verification test of the five modules and the 10 benchmarks. (The modules are strategy, stroke mechanics, beginner and advanced theories, physiology/nutrition and on-court instruction.) Once certified, instructors will receive continuing education via online classes and other support materials. Upon certification, each student will be assigned a mentor who will be available for monthly conference calls to address updated instructional techniques and provide advice and input.

The course will enable students to achieve one of three levels of instructor: Instructor, Professional Instructor and Master Instructor. In addition to this core offering, there will be additional courses available to focus on Coaching, Clinics and Programming. This new program is being designed to maximize the use of modern technology to provide instructional and analytical tools and support continuing education.

 The site is divided  into three categories--Coach Education--information that is available to the recreational player and password protected information for USAR-IP members only: On-line modules and links--these are on-line tests available to instructors to help maintain their education and certfication: Clinics and Camps- a listing of any camp or clinic hosted by any USAR-IP certfied instructor.   As this new and exciting program reaches its final stage of development, look for additional information on the USA Racquetball home page, in eNewsletters and in Racquetball magazine.

Why USAR Instructors and Coaches Program

1. Our certification is for three years, not a lifetime.
2. We offer 5 million dollars in liability coverage.
3. We have safe sport education, important in this era of coaching scandals.
4. We offer online certification, rendering the old weekend of certification courses obsolete.
5. We have a vast library of education, including the latest USOC strength training education.
6. We offer a mentoring program, with nationally known coaches.
7. We have an entry level coaching course for members who want to coach.
8. We have ongoing educational courses to keep up with the game.
9. We have a programming program for creating revenue streams in clubs.
10. We are the only recognized instructional program in the USA. If another instructor from any certification other than the USAR-IP was ever challenged in court, the credentials are not recognized by the USOC or USA Racquetball.
11. We also certify clinicians who conduct camps and clinics so our consumers are protected.

What is the difference between membership and certification?
Membership provides the opportunity to be connected with the USAR-IP program and receive continually updated information. It provides access to all on-line services. Certification recognizes you as qualified to teach racquetball at a designated level. All certified instructors must be members of USAR-IP.

Why will there be a re-certification?
In order to maintain highly qualified instructors, our insurance carrier recommended that we implement a method for education to ensure instructors are kept up-to-date with the newest teaching techniques. The new program will provide continual online education classes and re-certification every three years (online or in person). The online courses are slated to begin very soon.

Importance of Maintaining Certification

Can you imagine going into a health club to take a spin class or a group exercise class and the instructor is NOT certified? There is a difference between maintaining your membership and maintaining your certification, you want to do BOTH! A membership allows you access to the USA-RIP website which offers valuable information and videos on how to teach racquetball as well as how to make money teaching racquetball. A certification gives you what a membership gives you PLUS you will receive Liability Insurance coverage for yourself up to $2 million per occurrence.

Here’s how it works -- You go through a  certification course the first time to obtain your certification which ALSO INCLUDES your membership for the 1st year. Each year thereafter you will be able to renew your membership by paying a 1 year fee of $95. If you pass your certification course and become certified your certification will be good for 3 years and at the end of the 3 year period you will need to re-certify on line or in person, your choice.   

Why be certified and why maintain your certification? Can you imagine going to a yoga class or karate class and the instructor has not had any education for 10 years? That is a problem with permanent certification. If there is no ongoing education our profession loses credibility. The importance of maintaining your certification up until this point has been twofold. Cutting Edge Continuing Education and Liability. Just recently though, USAR and some major health club chains as well as the privately owned smaller health clubs are starting to work together to bring their racquetball programs at their facilities up to the SAME level as Group Exercise, Personal Training, Swimming Instructors, Basketball and Cycling. In order to be able to work at a health club in any of the above programs as an instructor or trainer the club REQUIRES that you MUST be certified in your appropriate sport or position to work at the club…no ands, ifs or bouts about it, NO EXCEPTIONS due to their insurance policies.

Racquetball is on the road to being NO DIFFERENT making this the third reason of the importance of maintaining your certification…you will be REQUIRED by the clubs to be USA-RIP certified as KEEPING that certification UP TO DATE.

What is the On-Line Continuing Education Program?

Now that you are certified why not STAY CONNECTED through our “On –Line Continuing Education Program?” We will bring to you the latest and greatest information on how to teach and make money teaching via the web PLUS each and every one of the certified instructors will be assigned a Master Clinician. Jim Winterton, Tom Travers or Fran Davis. You will be able to have access to them throughout the year to assist you in Becoming the BEST Teacher’s you Can Be.

ALL of this….Cutting Edge Information, Liability, On-Line Continuing Education and working with one of the Master Instructors is part of USA-RIP. Currently all three of us are charging teachers to consult on junior programs, leagues, college coaching, and teaching lessons. You will have access to us as mentors and that will be INCLUDED in your membership.