ITP COURSES 

101 Instructor Training Program Recreational – for teachers and coaches of co-ed recreational gymnastics programs

Hours:  12 hours - This is a two day course on Saturday & Sunday only- held on-site at the convention and off-site location to be determined.

Overview: This comprehensive 12-hour program is designed to equip new and aspiring gymnastics coaches with the essential skills and knowledge needed to effectively coach beginner-level gymnasts. Our course covers a wide range of topics, including coaching etiquette, skill deconstruction, lesson planning, warm-ups and conditioning, understanding learning styles, and much more.

Description: Course Highlights:

• Coaching Etiquette: Learn the principles of professionalism, effective communication, and building trust and respect with gymnasts and their parents.
• Skills Deconstruction: Master the art of breaking down basic gymnastics skills into manageable parts and creating effective teaching stations and circuits.
• Lesson Planning: Gain insights into structuring engaging and productive classes, setting objectives and goals, and adapting plans for different age groups and skill levels.
• Warm-ups & Conditioning: Understand the importance of warm-ups and conditioning, and learn how to design routines that enhance performance and prevent injuries.
• Hands-on Spotting Techniques: Acquire the skills to safely and effectively spot gymnasts during their routines.
• Incorporating Fun and Games: Discover creative ways to make gymnastics fun through games and engaging activities.
• Organizing Birthday Parties: Get tips on planning and running successful gymnastics-themed birthday parties.

Course Structure:

Our training course is divided into interactive sessions, each focusing on different aspects of coaching beginner gymnasts. The course includes theoretical instruction, practical demonstrations, and hands-on activities to reinforce learning. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in group discussions and role-playing scenarios to practice their new skills.

Who Should Attend:

This course is ideal for:

• New and aspiring gymnastics coaches.
• Current coaches looking to refresh their skills and knowledge.
• Individuals interested in starting a career in gymnastics coaching.

Course Benefits:

• Gain confidence in coaching beginner gymnasts.
• Learn effective coaching techniques and best practices.
• Develop a solid foundation in essential coaching skills.
• Network with other coaches and share experiences.
  Certification:
  Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate of completion, recognizing their achievement and readiness to coach beginner-level gymnasts.
  
  Presenters:  Course Director- Ellen Moseley-May, Beth Gardner

102 Instructor Training Program Recreational – for teachers and coaches of preschool recreational gymnastics programs

Hours:  12 hours - This is a two day course on Saturday & Sunday only- held on-site at the convention and off-site location to be determined.

Description:  The ITP Recreational is designed to address the needs of novice and recreational coaches.

This 12 hour course utilizes interactive and practical workshops covering a wide range of topics necessary for effective training of basic gymnastics skills.

The focus of this lecture sears is progressive teaching for the preschool level gymnastics student.

Topics:  Coaching Etiquette, Skills Deconstruction, Lesson Planning, Warm-ups & Conditioning, Skill Deconstruction and Lesson Planning, Learning Styles, Special Needs, Problem Solving, Hands-on Spotting and Games.

You must plan to be off-site for part of the weekend, please make appropriate arrangements for transportation.  Instructors will provide details.

Presenters:  Course Director- Beth Gardner, Annette Thomas

210 Instructor Training Program Xcel – for coaches and judges of the USAG Xcel Program

Hours:   3-hour Closed course Saturday Morning and then Open Xcel Lectures Saturday/Sunday

Description:   A one day course designed for coaches and judges of the USAG Xcel Program.  This course will cover:   how to start a program, how to utilize the program in your gym, the five difficulty levels, routine construction, and comparison to JO programs including judging differences and competitions.  Beginner coaches will leave with all the tools ready to start a program and veteran coaches will learn new ideas for programming and routines to improve their own programs.  Join our awesome team of presenters and get excited about the wonderful world of Xcel! 

Course Outline: 

Xcel Program Overview- Loui Janecky (xcel regional director)

Difficulty Level Sessions - Include rules for all events and video examples

• Bronze
• Silver
• Gold
• Platinum and Diamond

Interactive Game- Xcel Skill review- with Prizes!

Routine Construction and Artistry

Common Questions and Judging

How to Start a Program

JO vs Xcel

Presenters:  Course Director- Cheryl Cupples

Course Contributors and presenters:

 Loui Janecky- Xcel regional director

 Carol Williams- Texas Judging Director

Jennifer Malone Anderson - Program Director Liberty Gymnastics and Judge

Sarah Pogue- Owner and Xcel Program Director Alpha Omega Gymnastics

301 Instructor Training Program Boys 1 - for teachers/coaches of boys recreational classes & compulsory teams (Beginners – Level 7)

Hours:  12  hours - This is a two day course on Saturday & Sunday.  Held on-site at the convention and off-site at location to be determined.

Description:  Mission Statement: It is the intention of the ITP-Boys  to facilitate a positive learning experience to help further educate, motivate, and enable the participants from the program to provide the boys in their gyms' classes and/or teams the opportunity to develop better physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally through their teaching, coaching, and/or coordinating in a more fun, safe, and productive manner. An extension of the above would be that GAT and the ITP-Boys 1 feel that no gymnast, teacher, or coach should ever be turned away from the sport of Men's Gymnastics when they have the desire to have fun and to learn.

The ITP-Boys 1 is designed to address the needs of beginning recreational teachers of boys classes up to the experienced compulsory coaches of boys teams. This 10 hour course (13 seminars) utilizes interactive and practical seminars covering a wide range of topics necessary for effective training of basic to advanced level boys skills. (Lectures, Videos, Active Participation, and Group Work are all included in the ITP-Boys 1). This course is great!

Attention Program Directors! Bring or send your female class teachers to come and take the ITP-Boys 1! They will be able to help with your existing boys classes as potential subs, and they will be able to help begin to open up more potential boys classes in your programs!

Topics and/or Text Sections:

Philosophical Aspects of Teaching Boys; Making Boys Programs Profitable; Boys Fitness (Strength/Flexibility/Endurance); Floor Exercise, Pommel Horse/Mushroom, Still Rings, Vault - Board/Mat / Board/Table/Mat (+ Mini- Tramp / Tramp), Parallel Bars, Horizontal Bar; Technical Instruction & Hands- On Spotting - All Boys Events; Interactive Games; Using Gymnastics

You must plan to be off-site for part of the weekend, please make appropriate arrangements for transportation.  Instructors will provide details.

Director: Lee Ho

Authors, Consultants, Presenters, and/or Helpers (Past & Present): Brian Smith, Greg Schram, Bret Stout, John Stout, Bill Foster, Tim Erwin, Gil Elsass, Kevin Muenz, Sean Sims, Richard Hancock, Omar Loya, Glenn Morris, Jerit Pogue, and Kyle Turner (plus many demonstrators).

Thank you for your support of GAT and the ITP-Boys 1!!!

601 Instructor Training Program Brain & Body – for anyone who works with children through sports or academics.

Hours:  6  hours - This is a one day course on Sunday only.  Held on-site at the convention.

Description:  Course is comprised of 3 component lectures. The three topics included are:

• Understanding the Preschool Child (early childhood development) Motor Learning,
• Motor Development and The Theory of Muscle Memory
• Special People: Special Needs

Each contributor brings a vast amount of knowledge and expertise to the program. They have contributed material, advisory assistance and review to ensure the information included in the course is cutting edge and as complete as possible for the time available. I thank each of them for their time, effort and passion for education. I have been truly blessed with the opportunity to work with and learn from individuals with such great minds. I am positive that many current and future coaches and teachers will benefit from their generosity in sharing their knowledge.

Instructor Training Program: Brain & Body is not only applicable to gymnastics, it covers the broader range of human development. Cognitive development directly affects motor development and sport participation. Likewise, motor development and sport participation affect cognitive development. It is critical to the individual capacity for academic learning.

Brain & Body covers three critical topics to help coaches and teachers understand how the brain and body function together. This course helps to explain why movement is so critical to human development and, conversely, how inattention to motor learning and development directly impacts the individual's capacity for scholastic learning. 

Presenters:  Course Director-  Beth Gardner

Course Contributors and presenters:

Co-contributors:  Dawn Matthews Nelson, M.S. Robin Pearson; and Peter Pidcoe, PT, DPT, Ph.D. Darlene Schmidt, BS, M.A.T., Ph.D.

This lecture series covers topics vital to any person who works with children through sports or academics. There will be some "hands-on" activities, but participants should be prepared for in-depth lecture and discussion. Spaces will be limited, so early registration is advised. I look forward to seeing ya'll there!!! Beth Gardner Instructor Training Program Director

701 Instructor Training Program Sports Science – for anyone who works with children through sports

Hours:  6  hours - This is a one  day course on  Saturday only.  Held on-site at the convention.

Description:  Join Brandi Smith-Young, PT, FAAOMPT, OCS for a course that will address the many ways to use movement to BULLET PROOF YOUR ATHLETE.  The interactive course will touch on the fundamentals of the core, upper and lower body shaping, stretching, taping techniques and return to sport after rehab.  There will be a hands-on taping lab portion, where you will get a chance to try out some of the most effective taping techniques with gymnasts.

Presenters:  Course Director-  Brandi Smith-Young