im positive u can receive a bronze card, doin the online clinic,,

i do agree with randy though if i were to do it agian and the clinics in person werent on weekends like sundays..i would go to his clinic,

"you lose the personal touch and the camaraderie that can be gained in a classroom!"

however i was one of those guys who just wanted to get a coaches card so i can be by the mats for my son,, however after taking that clinic and reading the book for the test i seen that there is alot more to coaching than just the father son aspect,, and i look forward to volunteering next season to help out all the wrestlers and the coaches with all the on and off the mat stuff

According to the USA Wrestling Newletter dated March 17th:

2009 NCEP Calendar of Events

Copper Clinics
03/27/2009 - Madison, Wisconsin
05/01/2009 - Indianapolis, Indiana



Bronze Clinics
03/28/2009 - Battle Ground, WA
04/07/2009 - Las Vegas, NV
04/24/2009 - Wisconsin Rapids, WI
04/25/2009 - Indianapolis, Indiana
04/29/2009 - Online
05/02/2009 - Spokane, Washington
05/09/2009 - Oak Harbor, Washington
05/16/2009 - Auburn, Washington
10/11/2009 - Nashville, Indiana

It shows a Bronze clinic being held on April 29th as stated above.

Beginning about 2 months ago ... you can get your Bronze on-line. However, the offerings (at this point) are pretty slim!

I have been asked to be involved with the on-line courses but until I upgrade from dial-up, I can't!

Randy, your thoughts on this if you please. Does this in any way funnel more money towards USAW and away from Kansas? This is new I admit, but it makes me uneasy for whatever reason.

I am still sorting through my thoughts! (a genuine struggle at times)

First as I said earlier, I think that the on-line courses lose some of the personal touch and the camaraderie that the classroom clinics offer. I think, that in Kansas, attending a classroom clinic should be strongly suggested.

USA Wrestling is filling a need! No other State, has the number of Bronze certified coaches that Kansas has. In Kansas last season, we held 12 clinics and certified around 400 coaches!! In Kansas, we have over 4,000 certified coaches!

Some states, don't have 400 total! Their clinic offerings are very limited and some do not feel the obligation we in Kansas do! Our State NCEP is probably the poster child for USA Wrestling! Most States are very envious of the program we offer in Kansas!

Over a decade ago (I think, Richard can probably check his files) Kansas began following the lead (of District 1) and began requiring coaches to be certified. The State said you had to be certified to coach kids in the State tournament series! Thus, we have a lot of coaches and have spawned a very good program!

A few States; Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, et al; have since passed some kind of requirement in their States. Eventually, a couple of States will pass us in the number of certified coaches!

Yet, in some States, if a coach wanted to become Bronze certified, his/her options are extremely limited. Perhaps there are only one or two clinics per year, within 250 miles!

Also remember, that Kansas ... is a USA Wrestling State ... and our Kids Folkstyle program is one of the top (number of participants) of any Nationwide! In other States, USAW's only involvement is Freestyle and Greco. And in most others, AAU and others have a strong grip.

Sorry for getting long-winded but once in a while, when you drop your nickle in the jukebox, you get; In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida! But I am proud and passionate about coaches education!

I am going to ask Sam Barber to review this thread ... perhaps he will respond! I don't think that USA Wrestling thought that they would get very many students (or money) from Kansas! They will get a few but not many! (I hope!!)

... and a few other thoughts!

Because we in Kansas have a huge number of Kids Folkstyle parents ... that is who we gear our clinics towards!

At least in my clinics, we spend a lot of time talking about dealing with kids. Also, we talk a lot about the relationship between coach/parent and wrestler! I am certain, that this would not be a priority in a lot of clinics!

I try to judge my audience and cater the instruction toward them! In an on-line clinic, a facilitator would have to stay very vanilla and generic!

The clinics I've facilitated at Fargo in July, are much different that those I do in Cimarron in January! As an instructor, I feel you must, read your audience and keep the clinic timely and alive for their needs!!

I did hear back from Sam! He asked me to post the following from him, so here it is:

Dear Kansas Wrestling Fans

The Online Bronze Clinic is available for people who would like to
become a Bronze Certified Coach and have a difficult time finding a
clinic they can attend in person. I intend on offering only three
Online Bronze Clinics a year. I truly believe the best option for
obtaining your Bronze Certification is at a state provided clinic with
face to face interaction, with an instructor, and lively interaction
with fellow clinic participants. In my last Online Bronze Clinic I had
guest panelist Tim Hartung (2X NCAA Champion, Asst. Coach at University
of Iowa, and Iowa State), Tony Black (NCAA All-American), Sam Barber,
and Neil Turner (Director of the National Wresting Coaches Association
Coaches Education). The panelists offer a wide degree of expertise in
the sport of wrestling, and many years of coaching experience at all
levels. We also were able to have discussion from for clinic
participants. As I stated previously an in person Bronze Clinic is a
better option, however I feel that the Online Clinic is a very
informative and viable option for a coach who can not attend a clinic
due to geographical location or time and cost restraints. The cost of
the Online Bronze Clinic is $75 and the added expense goes to paying for
the Webinar service, guest panelist, and mailing our each book
individually.

I am very pleased that the concept of the Online Bronze Clinic has
received so much attention; it is proof that the NCEP is a viable
program once again. I would also like to recognize what a great job
Randy Hinderliter is doing and has done, and also tip my hat to the
state of Kansas for being a leader in Coaches Education.

If you have any further questions or concerns please do not hesitate to
contact me directly.

In the Olympic Spirit,

Sam Barber
USA Wrestling
Manager of the National Coaches Education Program
sbarber@usawrestling.org
719-598-8181

i agree with sam.. i took sams online clinic it was very informational and listening to the guest speakers was cool,,
,, however i would recomend attendin one in person,,

i am hopein to attend a clinic that randy puts on,,even though i already have my bronze card,, but if i can get to one of his clinics at a discounted price , im sure i would attend,,,,

the book that is mailed to you from the online clinic is also very informative,,

Come on down ... no charge!

Randy,

With all due respect, and that respect I honestly believe is due to you, how would you explain the threads about coaches (some from very high profile clubs) being criticized for their behavior at recent tournaments? Where would these coaches have received their Bronze cards? Maybe it isn't about where you get your credentials, but more about the person you are and the agenda you have. In this sport, I am sure that temporary insanity would be a good defense.

I have witnessed some awkward situations involving coaches, parents, referees and fans over the years. I can't say that I witnessed any of the events posted on a couple of these threads. If things like this are happening, what is the fix?

so what if people get bronze cards online. at least they are out there with their kid or kids on the mat learning and teaching at the same time.and by the way almost all of these coaches have a kid on the mat and alls i really seen is the coaches that have their own kids on the mat is what they care about and teach more to. this aint dean70 this is his wife and thats what i see like or not.

Well, golly be !!

The point is and always has been in my mind, more kids WANTING to learn wrestling and less coaches NEEDING to learn what constitutes acceptable behavior.

There is an on-line Bronze, April 29th & 30th!

http://themat.com/section.php?section_id=3&page=showarticle&ArticleID=20188

Just so I get this right, the online is two nights total correct? I mean it's not being held twice on back to back days?

I remember reading a couple weeks back it listed the date as 4/29 and now it's listed as 4/29 - 4/30.

Thanks in advance.

From what I gather, it is two nights!

yes. its 2 nights. watch the times. its different here in kansas than where it is hosted(colorado). there,s a 1 hour difference between wichita and colorado springs. oh. randy. me and my wife would love to come to your clinic anytime you host it in wichita. yes i made a mental mistake 4 weeks ago and yes i got my card online. please feel free to call me when you get the time.thanks.Charles King/Wichita Aztecas (316)990-4515 or (316)942-9387