What is the Level I certification?

The Level I Certification is the first level of US Squash’s coach education program focusing on entry level players and fundamentals of the game.

Who is the course for?

This course is for anyone interested in the competencies required to introduce starter players to the game of squash. The level I course focuses on group instruction, with special attention paid to lesson organization, safety and general squash coaching knowledge. The course readies a coach for the instruction of the beginner and low-intermediate level.

What will I learn?

The coaches in our squash community are critical. For squash to grow and for players to stay in the game, they need to experience enjoyment and improvement. In this course you will experience and develop the qualities associated with a positive, motivating leader. As well, you will be trained to scale and modify the game your students can experience success with activities that challenge them with the right skills and play for their level. More specifically, you will learn to:

• Lead and communicate effectively
• Display professionalism
• Control the focus and attention of a group
• Present clear and correct visual demonstrations with concise explanations
• Provide positive intervention that apply tactical and technical tools to improve performance
• Manage play and practice environments
• Set up and maintain a group environment that is active, safe, and challenging while applying group organizational tools
• Organize play and apply competition tools using a variety of competitive formats, set-ups and scoring

Follow a process for making ethical decisions consistent with the US Squash Code of Ethics.

What are the course prerequisites?

1. Minimum certification requirement: None
2. Minimum age: 16 years

How will I be evaluated?

There are 4 (four) categories of competencies candidates must complete to achieve level I certification:

1. Knowledge
2. Leadership/Professionalism
3. Demonstration (Playing and Fundamental Skills)
4. Teaching

In addition, candidates are required to complete the Coaching Essentials online ASEP course and show proof of an active CPR certification.

Candidates must achieve a minimum standard on all of the evaluations to be certified.

If candidates do not achieve a minimum standard on any evaluations, they must re-take that evaluation.

Candidates have 12 months from the date of their original course to complete all evaluations; otherwise, they must re-take the entire course at full price.

Who will lead the course?

The course will be led by a qualified US Squash coaching assessor.

What is the Level II course?

The Level II course focuses on individual instruction and fault-analysis, and is aimed to equip the coach to teach any player from beginner through to intermediate.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed to ensure that level II coaches have the competencies necessary to work with players on a regular basis bringing them from beginner to intermediate. The required competencies include both on and off court knowledge and skills. Coaches are trained to deliver quality private lessons, design basic lesson content, and provide solid customer service that supports the growth and retention of players.

What will I learn?

The course will have a more technical focus than Level I, but many of the concepts learned in Level I will be applied and expanded upon.  Candidates who have successfully completed the course will be able to recognize and correct technical faults in their pupils, as well as develop training plans based on the specific needs of their players. The Level I course also provides an introduction to physical training principles.

• Lead and communicate effectively
• Display professionalism and enthusiasm
• Control the focus and attention of a group
• Present clear and correct visual demonstrations with concise explanations
• Provide a positive interventions that apply tactical and technical tools to improve performance
• Perform key requirements of a squash coach
• Understand how to follow teaching progressions in an individual lesson scenario
• Learn to develop individualized training and development plans
• Master knowledge of basic squash technique
• Develop a knowledge base of drills and games for different shot types and tactics
• Be able to perform fault diagnosis for beginner and intermediate players
• Develop knowledge of teaching in-match tactics
• Show comfort with feeding in all situations, with accurate feeds appropriate to a student’s level

What are the course prerequisites?

1. Minimum certification requirement: US Squash level I certification
2. Minimum age: 18 years
3. Completion of the US Squash Level I certification

How will I be evaluated?

Course Participants will be assessed on the following criteria. All must be completed in order to receive Level Two Coaching Certification.

• Current CPR certification
• 12 week Individual Training and Development Plan due 6 weeks from the last day of the course.
• Pass Individual Lesson Assessment (administered during Sunday session)
• Write up a 6 lesson plan for the individual assessed on Sunday –due on Sunday after the course wrap-up
• Pass review quizzes on material taught during the weekend
• Participants will be judged on their performance during mini-lessons over the course of the weekend as well as their contribution during lecture sessions
• Ability to feed the ball during lessons
• Presentations on shots during the weekend.

Candidates must achieve a minimum standard on all of the evaluations to be certified. If candidates do not satisfy the minimum standard, they must re-take that evaluation.

Candidates have 12 months from the date of their original course to complete all evaluations; otherwise they must re-take the entire course at full price.

Who will lead the course?

The course will be led by a qualified US Squash coaching assessor.

Who is the level III course for?

This performance coaching course is suitable for committed coaches working with high performance squash players. A Level III coach is a high performance athlete development leader who demonstrates the highest qualities of integrity, dedication, commitment and skill towards developing high level U.S. players.

What is the major focus of the Course?

The Level III Coaching Certification aims to provide coaches with an enhanced skill set that would assist them in developing players at a more advanced level, while maintaining strong coaching principles and ethics.

What will I learn?

 Improve Fault Analysis with elite level players.

• Better your understanding of different training methods appropriate to elite players.
• Create and manage ‘in-competition’ and ‘out-of-competition’ training programs.
• Provide tactical advice based on the strengths and weaknesses of themselves and their opponent.
• Ensure change takes place in each lesson, providing feedback where necessary.
• Develop effective ways to communicate technical aspects of the swing and movement.
• Effectively set achievable goals with players.

What are the course prerequisites?

1. Minimum certification requirement: US Squash Level II coach certification
2. Minimum age: 21 years

How will I be evaluated?

1. Candidates must display a high level of feeding ability. Each candidate will go through a series of feeding progressions and solo drills to prove they have the necessary feeding skills to help develop players at the level that this course is designed for.
2. All participants will be evaluated on their fault analysis skills and in-game feedback. After watching a match between two similar level opponents, candidates will create a lesson plan that will be executed immediately.
3. Create a six week training program – an ‘in-competition’ training program. Please include a tournament in this six week program.
4. Create a three month training program – an ‘out of competition’ training program. Consider this a player’s summer training schedule.
5. Submit a drill database and at least three (3) relevant teaching points for five (5) common problem areas where players breakdown

Note:

Candidates must achieve a minimum standard on all of the evaluations and assignments to be certified. If candidates do not achieve a minimum standard on any evaluations or assignments, they must re-take that evaluation or redo the assignment.

Candidates have 12 months from the end date of their original course to complete all evaluations or work pending. If candidates fail to submit all work or meet minimum requirements within the 12 month period, they must re-take the course at full price.

 Who will lead the course?

The course will be led by a qualified US Squash coaching assessor.

Experienced teaching professionals, coaches and former professional players may qualify for higher-level US SQUASH certification based on their previous involvement in the sport.

Please read below for eligibility and application requirements.

Equivalency:

Equivalency allows experienced teaching professionals to earn a base level of US Squash’ coach certification based on previously completed international squash coaching certification(s). Equivalency may be granted for the US Squash level I and II certification.

Requirements:

• Minimum of five years coaching experience
• Certification of Level II or above from one of the following recognized programs: England Squash, Australian Squash, European Squash, and Asian Squash. US Squash may consider a certification from another international federation on a case by case basis
• CPR certificate and ASEP online coaching essentials certificate
• Submission of coaching resume
• Member in good standing of SPA
• Legal U.S. resident or citizen

Application Process:

• Send an application to US Squash, Adam Hamill adam.hamill@ussquash.com
• Include a resume and complete documentation confirming prior certification
• Application will be reviewed and requirements verified prior to follow-up with the applicant

 

Acceleration:

Acceleration allows highly-experienced teaching professionals, coaches and former professional players to begin US Squash coaching education at Level II, bypassing the Level I course.

Requirements:

• Submission of playing resume
• CPR certificate, ASEP online coaching essentials
• Member in good standing of SPA
• Legal U.S. resident or citizen

Application process

• Send an application to US Squash, Adam Hamill adam.hamill@ussquash.com
• Include a resume and complete documentation confirming playing level and achievements
• Application will be reviewed and requirements verified prior to follow-up with the applicant