U.S. Paralympics Swimming

Coach Certification Course Program Overview 

Learn How to:

• Help athletes move forward on their most important goals using sport specific competencies.
• Coach athletes to achieve their goals by leveraging their sport specific abilities.
• Help manage obstacles effectively and strategically by using their talents and strengths at a higher level of performance.
• Increase your credibility and boost your professional development and the sport of swimming.

What is the PSCC?

The PSCC is the U.S. Paralympics Swimming Coaches Certification (PSCC) Course.  It is a course for swimming coaches who wish to further develop their coaching knowledge and skills to effectively work with para swimmers or to simply gain an understanding of the governance and differences that exist in the para swimming community.  The course is currently designed as a blended course of presentations on-line, in-person educational training and video that includes experiential learning.  There are four (4) certification Levels.  Prerequisites are also required for each level.

Why the PSCC?

The PSCC is a part of the U.S. Paralympics Swimming Program under the USOPC.  It is the only program of its type for para swimming with unique understanding of the fundamental challenges and concerns that coaches deal with in their daily settings when including an athlete with a disability. The learning curve into the Para swimming world can be shortened dramatically and the performance of all stakeholders increased when support and education is provided by the organization responsible for the U.S. Paralympics Swimming team.

Who is the organization behind the program?

The USOPC is the ultimate stakeholder and its donors and sponsors.  U.S. Paralympics Swimming is the program creator responsible for operating the certification program. 

Are there prerequisites for the PSCC Course?

Yes, the prerequisites are basic knowledge and requirements of coaches in the sport of swimming.  Each level will require similar basics including the attendance at an in-person or virtual Introduction and Orientation to Para Swimming and Coaching a Para Swimmer.  As the coach moves through the different levels of certification the requisites relate to the level of para swimmer being coached. 

Is the PSCC Course applicable to USA, YMCA, High School, Collegiate, Masters or Adaptive Sport Coaches?  

YES!  Your work with swimmers is instrumental in the development and inclusion of para-swimmers in competitive swimming programs.  A key objective of the certification program is making the program assessable to any coach within a swimming arena to improve the experience and progress of swimmers with a disability.

For more information about each Level of certification, the dates and locations being offered and registration information, click the level below.

All courses require a set of pre-requisites to enroll and to be considered complete to receive a certificate of completion and/or certification each course requires an assessment.  All courses must be passed and completed in numerical order to attend the higher-level course.  

Standard Prerequisites: 

-Current Swimming Resume 
-Signed USOPC Ethics Code of Conduct Agreement 
-Attend the Virtual workshop clinic: The Introduction & Orientation to Para Swimming (1.25 hours) 
-Current USA Swimming annual coach membership in good standing 
-Current CPR, AED, and First Aid Certification 
-Safe Sport Training (annual training is complimentary) 
-Green Light (Clear) NCSI Background Check  
-Concussion Protocol Training 
-Current USADA Coaches Advantage Tutorial (CAT) 
-Any educational course work required for that organizational membership status.   

Coach Experiential Learning:  
-Each level of the program will require a coach experiential requirement. 
-Attend, prior to beginning the program, a Virtual or in-person workshop clinic offered quarterly titled: “Introduction and Orientation to Para Swimming.”  

-Introduction and Orientation to Para Swimming clinic  
Note: offered virtually and in-person every quarter of each year. 
Target audience: Coaches, Athletes, Parents, and any stakeholder interested in learning about Paralympic swimming in the United 

In this clinic, participants can expect to: 

-Discover the roles of the USOPC and U.S. Paralympics Swimming. -Learn about the swimming classifications, rules, and exceptions. 
-Prepare you and your swimmer for a positive classification experience 
-Examine the levels of the Para Swimmer Development Model (PSDM) to supplement the USA Swimming American Development Model (ADM) 
-Compare the competition progression associated with the PSDM. 
-Discover training techniques and your swimmers' abilities through their classification outcome.  
-Learn from biomechanical modifications/adaptations videos for athletes with physical, visual and/or intellectual disabilities. 
-Develop support techniques to support a Para-swimmer in training and competition. 
-Connect coaches and athletes to the Para swimming community. 

Level 1: course completion certificate only.   

Note: This course is offered as an online virtual or in-person course. 

Level 1 curriculum is designed to be a foundational level of Para Swimming education and governance. Candidates will achieve an entry level education of Para Swimming and learn techniques to assist their para swimmer. Course completion requires approximately 2.5 hours and the successful completion of the assessment. 

Prerequisite: One (1) years' experience in a recognized competitive swimming program working with a diverse group of swimmers. 

In this course, participants can expect to: 
-Learn the levels of our Para Swimming Coach Certification program and the Paralympic Development Model. 
-Develop strategies to communicate & advocate for a Para swimmer. 
-Learn about World Para Swimming (WPS) and the basics of sport classes and the classification process. 
-Identify key resources available online. 
-Review WPS rules and regulations for disqualifications and medical withdrawals at Para Swimming meets. Identify modification and/or adaptation needed in and around the pool. 
-Create strategies to optimize your athlete's performance. 
-Assist your Para swimmer to be independent and self-reliant. 

Level 2: Certification Course.  

Note: This course is only offered as an in-person course. 

Level 2 curriculum will provide coaches knowledge and experience to support their Para swimmer in training and at competitions.  This course will also focus on Para Swimming rules, regulations, and strategies to advocate for your para swimmer throughout their career. Course completion requires approximately 4 hours and the successful completion of the assessment and participation in the active learning activities. 

Prerequisite: Currently coaching a Para swimmer at a recognized club/team or coaching at a recognized club/team and desire to continue your education in Para Swimming.  

In this course participants will be able to: 
-Discover the opportunities available to coaches and athletes within U.S. Para Swimming. 
-Interpret disqualifications by understanding WPS rule exceptions and determine when a protest is appropriate. Learn to compose a protest and evaluate the outcome. 
-Examine the rule exceptions and how they can influence stroke modifications and training options. 
-Explore modifications in the physiology of endurance training for a Para swimmer. 
-Build communication skills and knowledge to improve coach/athlete processional relationships.  
-Interpret race analysis through a Para Swimming lens. 
-Evaluate Para Swimming case study scenarios. 
-Develop a self-reliant athlete. 

Level 3: Certification Course.  

Note: This course is only offered as an in-person course. 

Level 3 curriculum is national level content designed to prepare coaches to work with elite Para swimmers and other coaches through mentor-mentee opportunities. The course provides the foundation of expectations and standards to coach national team level athletes with the highest standard of practical expertise. The program gives prospective candidates the opportunity to develop more specialized coaching skills, improve performance planning and analysis, and learn organizational techniques. This course will engage candidates through active learning exercises and interactions. Course completion requires approximately 5 hours and the successful completion of the assessment and participation in the active learning activities. 

Prerequisite: Currently coaching a national level Para swimmer at a recognized club/team or currently coaching athletes at a recognized club/team to the national level or higher. 
 
In this course participants will be able to: 
-Implement training plans that support elite Para swimmers to the national team consistently through the quad and attend World Series and domestic and international competitions.  
-Develop quadrennial and seasonal plans to maximize performance and opportunities. 
-Build a holistic plan with your athlete to develop a training/life balance that may include nutrition, mental health, strength and conditioning and opportunities outside of training that support their well-being.  
-Evaluate race analysis to develop strategies that will optimize your athlete's performance. 
-Expand professional development as a coach through offered resources mentor/mentee support to become a leader in the sport of Para swimming.  
-Identify technologies that give real time data to optimize training and performance. 
-Participate in the development of a mentee/mentorship and athlete ambassador program. 

Level 4: Certification Course.

Note: This course is only offered as an in-person course. 

Level 4 curriculum is designed to develop elite international coaches capable of delivering the highest standard of practical athlete development expertise. The program gives prospective candidates the opportunity to develop more specialized coaching skills, high level performance planning and analysis, and develop a foundation of skills to assist in life after sport. Course completion requires approximately 5 hours and the successful completion of the assessment and participation in the active learning activities. 

Prerequisite: Currently coaching a national level Para swimmer at a recognized club/team or currently coaching athletes at a recognized club/team to the national level or higher. 
 
In this course participants will be able to: 
-Implement training plans that support elite Para swimmers to the national team consistently through the quad and named to World Championships and Paralympic Games rosters. 
-Engage sport performance services to support an athlete in every area of athletic performance and life. Sport performance services may include mental health, sport psych, nutrition, physiology, sports medicine, etc. 
-Interpret selection procedures and slot allocations of a selection meet. 
-Develop best practices to navigate distractions athletes may face at competitions.   
-Understand the staff positions (e.g., Team leader, head coach, sport science, assistant coaches, PCA, etc.,) within a team and how they support athletes to their optimal potential. 
-Participate and pioneer in the development of a mentee/mentorship and athlete ambassador program. 

Level 1, 2 and 3 courses - register and pay here: https://usoc.tfaforms.net/391

Upcoming Dates:

Introduction & Orientation to Para Swimming Virtually:

August 27^th: 8:00pm Eastern

Level 1 Virtually:

June 11^th: 7:30 pm Eastern

August 30^th: 7:30 pm Eastern

September 10^th: 7:30pm Eastern

September 24^th: 7:30pm Eastern

Level 2 in Person:

June 15^th: Colorado Springs, Colorado in conjunction with Jimi Flowers Classic
September 6^th: 8:30am-12:00pm at ASCA World Clinic, Dallas, Tx

September 15^th: Time TBA at Yucaipa, CA in conjunction with California Classic

September 29^th: Time TBA in conjunction with the Fred

Level 3 in Person:

June 16^th: Time TBA at Colorado Springs, Colorado in conjunction with Jimi Flowers Classic
September 6^th: 1:30pm-5:30pm at ASCA World Clinic, Dallas, Tx