About the Program
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. Three of the nation’s premier instructors, teach and manage this elite program: Fran Davis, Jim Hiser and Jim Winterton who all posses over 100+ years’ of 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.
This course enables students to achieve one of three levels of instructor: Level 1- Basic, Level 2- Advanced, Level 3- Elite. In addition to the core offering, there are courses available to focus on Coaching, Clinics, and Programming. The curriculum begins with an online course called the “10 Benchmarks” of Instruction. The program features a review and application of these core principles and a review of doubles play. You must become and continue to be CPR Certified, pass a background check and take SafeSport, which is offered for free through the USOPC. For Level 2 or Level 3 instructors, there is an additional 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 on any level, instructors will receive continuing education via online classes, conference calls and other support materials.
Why USAR-IP?
- Certification valid for 3 years
- $5 million in liability coverage
- SafeSport
- Online certification
- Vast library of education
- Mentoring program
- Entry level coaching course
- Ongoing educational courses
- Program for creating revenue streams in clubs
- Only recognized instructional program in the United States
- Certify clinicians who conduct camps and clinics
What is the difference between membership and certification?
Membership provides the opportunity to be connected to the USAR-IP program, receive access to information/templates, as well as insurance coverage on any racquetball instruction you perform. Certification recognizes you as someone who is qualified to teach racquetball at a designated level. All certified instructors must be members of USAR-IP.
Why is there a re-certification?
In order to maintain highly qualified instructors, we implemented a method for education to ensure instructors keep up-to-date with the newest teaching techniques. This program provides continual online education classes and re-certification every three years.
Importance of Maintaining Certification
A certification teaches you how to teach racquetball, as well as how to make money teaching racquetball. You get to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in the sport, including proper instructional techniques as the sport evolves.
Importance of Maintaining Membership
A membership keeps you enrolled and gains you access to the insurance policy that covers injury and harassment while teaching racquetball.
Here’s how it works
You must purchase and maintain an IP Instructor Membership ($75/year). Then you must purchase the Level 1 certification which is FREE. You will go through a certification course online to obtain your initial certification. When pass your certification course and all the criteria, your certification will be good for 3 years and at the end of the 3rd year you will need to re-certify.
Why become and maintain your certification?
If there is no ongoing education, our profession loses credibility. USAR and some major health club chains, as well as the privately owned smaller health clubs are working together to bring the racquetball programs at their facilities up to the same level as Group Exercise, Personal Training, Swimming Instructors, etc. In order to work at a health club in any of these programs as an instructor or trainer the club requires that you be certified in your appropriate sport or position. No exceptions due to their insurance policies.
For more information or assistance with the Instructor Program contact Jim Hisert: jhiser@usaracquetball.com - (719) 499-9561
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does USA Racquetball offer this program?
A: Those who administrate and govern a sport must continually re-evaluate and re-invent as needs dictate. USA Racquetball, as the National Governing Body under the USOPC, takes its responsibility very seriously to make modern instructional methods available and utilize technology, with the desired end result being supremely qualified instructors who will take the sport into the next generation.
Q. As a USAR-IP instructor, am I covered for insurance liability while I am conducting lessons/clinics and will the program include insurance coverage?
A. Yes, insurance is provided and financed by USAR.
Levels of Certification
Level 1- Basic Instructor
Someone who has taken the USAR‐IP test and certification, SafeSport, and maintains their CPR and Background Check.
*Everyone must pass the Level 1 certification before they can move up to Level 2 or 3 certification.
Note: Intended for parents who would like to help family members, players who just want to become better players and instructors who want to assist club level players.
Level 2- Advanced Instructor
Someone who has achieved a high level as a player, basic level with USA Racquetball's Instructor Program or has been grandfathered in with same level achievement in any other organization and become a member of USAR‐IP. Advanced instructors must participate in online educational requirements and mentoring with a master professional.The master professional has the final determination on the level of instruction the player will attain after reviewing their clinic results.
Note: Intended for instructors who want to gain more in-depth instructor knowledge, instructors who want to teach competitive players at the state and national level and coaches of high school and collegiate teams.
Level 3- Elite Instructor
Someone who has attained basic instructor status and offers instruction in large group settings. The professional clinician has attained a high level of play. They must participate in online educational requirements or mentoring with a master professional. They must also have participated in playing or coaching on a national or international level. The master professional has the final determination on the level of instruction the player will attain after reviewing their clinic results.
Note: Intended for instructors who want to instruct at the elite and open levels—instructors who want more in depth analyzation information and emphasis on strategy and game planning.
Master Professional
USA Racquetball's Instructor Program and USA Coaching Development team. Credentials must include national recognition as instructors, U.S. National Team coaching, Elite camp instruction. Currently, Jim Winterton, Fran Davis, Jim Hiser and Tom Travers are the only Master Professional Instructors.
Summary: Certification Levels
Instructor Certified
-CPR, Background Check, SafeSport and 10 Benchmark Courses
Advanced Certified
-All of Instructor Certified plus Access to Master Professional, Practical Hitting Test, Write and Conduct 1 Hour Lesson
Elite Certified
-All of Advanced Certified plus Video Analysis
*Everyone must pass the Instructor certification before they can move up to Advanced or Elite certification.
Additional Benefits Include:
-Class A level Insurance approved by the USOPC
-Continuing online education
-Ongoing mentoring with one of the master professionals
-Endorsed by the IRT and LPRT
You MUST be a current USA Racquetball member to participate. Click the link below to join USA Racquetball.
