Once you have passed one of our courses and become a certified instructor, your GYMCERT certification is good for 4 years. Continual updates are helpful since new information becomes available periodically which enhances the coaching profession, and this process ensures a consistent standard to measure coaching and the coaches of our sport.
Mary Lou Retton
1984 Olympic Champion
"Education is the foundation and key to a successful program. I give GYMCERT a perfect 10!"
Disclaimer
GymCert courses were written and intended to be used as a guide only. The publisher and authors are not engaged in the profession of rendering any form of legal, technical, or medical advice. If for any reason legal, technical or medical advice is necessary, you should seek out qualified professionals. When in question always seek out the advice of your gymnastics mentor(s).
The purpose of GymCert is to help educate and acquaint individuals with basic gymnastics technique, including conditioning, to obtain the basic gymnastics skills. GymCert does not cover the transitions between skills and other routine elements. Specific changes may be made to the USA Gymnastics compulsory elements from time to time and the reader is advised to confirm the specific skills with a qualified gymnastics coach. Every effort has been made to provide complete and accurate information on this subject. Readers of GymCert manuals and courses are strongly advised to obtain complete compulsory routine information for the level specified through USAG (USA Gymnastics) as we offer drills and skills only to help in the process of learning the skills.
The authors, USACC, and GYMCERT shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in GymCert courses or manuals. Reading a book does not qualify you to be a qualified gymnastics instructor. It takes much more than reading to become proficient and knowledgeable. Practice, Time and Experience is important and one should partake in a type of Apprenticeship Program to gain needed experience in the gymnastics work place and to practice your spotting skills and techniques. There are many local, state and regional USA Gymnastics Congresses available and GymCert strongly recommends beginner as well as experienced coaches to continue to better their knowledge base by attending as many as possible.
Special Notice
Any activity in life from taking a bath, to playing baseball, even to having fun on the playground all carry varying degrees of risk for potential injury. A fall from the Jungle Gym, being hit with a bat or ball, or a slip and fall getting out of the bathtub may cause serious injury. In gymnastics, there is also the potential for significant injury, especially so when an instructor is not qualified through lack of knowledge or experience.
The instructor must have the ability to:
- adapt gymnastics technique to the size, weight, and fitness level of each gymnast;
- provide adequate supervision for the activity;
- be capable of spotting the skill;
- supply appropriate lesson plans using effective skill progressions;
- keep adequate records; and,
- be able to adequately warn each gymnast of the dangers inherent in each of the skills she attempts,
- while developing in the gymnast a motivated, positive outlook on skill acquisition.
The key to success for the gymnastics instructor is patience, a desire to learn, and mentoring from another more accomplished coach, which can happen in your gym or at seminars and clinics.
The techniques presented in GymCert courses or manuals are based on one "average" (in size, shape, and fitness level) gymnast. While the techniques presented may work adequately for this fictitious gymnast, they may not work as well for the slightly overweight and less physically fit gymnast. You, the instructor, will have to adapt the technique to safely fit the gymnast.
That being the case, the author and publisher of this book must warn you that responsibility for the use and/or adaptation of these ideas, guidelines, and techniques are the sole responsibility of the instructor employing them to teach a skill.
The materials contained in this reference are to be used to provide a base level of knowledge about gymnastics skills, equipment, and safety training. It is strongly advised that you seek advanced / qualified coaches within your program to mentor you and guide you in developing gymnastics technique, spotting skills, and training methods. When in doubt, always check it out with your mentor first.
