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Coach Development Schools

Shooters and Coaches Prepare for a Competition

 

Coach Development Schools are the heart of the Coach Education Program. The instructors use up-to-date materials and multimedia presentations to present discipline-specific coach courses. The registration fee includes a copy of the discipline-specific coach school student study guide and other materials to help you with the details of coaching. Upon successful completion of the coach school you will be a Coach (Level 1) (or Youth Trainer if under 18 years old) in that discipline. Once approved, coaches may print their coach certificate and wallet card for their use.

What Is Taught In The School?

The Level 1 coach school is two days of sports-specific lessons and practical coaching exercises designed to teach the coach candidate the basics of coaching beginning and intermediate shooters. The following general subjects are taught:

  • Introduction to the Coaching Program
  • Safety and Risk Management
  • Competition Events
  • Rulebook use and shooting etiquette
  • Equipment and Facilities
  • Fundamentals of Shooting
  • Coaching Ethics
  • Coaching Methodology
  • Mental Training
  • Training Planning
  • Building Quality Programs
  • How To Conduct Tournaments
Large Group of Coaches Lined Up in Their Yellow Shirts and Caps

Become A Coach

Click here to search by your zipcode and register for an upcoming Coach Development School near you.

Credential Period And Fee

All ratings an NRA Trainer (Coach, Instructor, Training Counselor or Range Safety Officer) holds have the same expiration date. If a new Coach already holds other NRA Trainer ratings, the Coach expiration date will be the one already established. If the new Coach holds no other NRA Trainer ratings, the credential period will be two years, and that will establish the expiration date for any other NRA Trainer ratings subsequently acquired.

Who Teaches The Coach School?

The NRA coach schools are taught by National Coach Development Staff who are Certified Coaches that have been carefully selected, based on their talents and expertise in the areas of sports, education, coaching and shooting. In addition, these coach school instructors have attended special training on how to conduct informative and enjoyable schools.

National Coach Development Staff

The National Coach Development Staff (NCDS) is a volunteer network of coaches that hail from all across the United States in all of the shooting sports disciplines. This elite shooting staff is the backbone of the nation's shooting coach programs, teaching and fostering growth at all levels of the sport.

Hand-picked by the National Coach Trainer for their ability to teach, coach, and develop the shooting sports, these individuals are carefully selected based on their talents and expertise in sport education and specific shooting discipline. The National Coach Trainer uses the NCDS to teach coach schools, conduct shooting clinics and serve as coaches for the National Shooting Camps. New members of the NCDS are required to attend an enjoyable, informative and challenging three-day training course learning the procedures and policies of being an NCDS member and learning how to teach the coach school.

If you are interested in being a part of this elite staff, are a Certified Coach (Level 2) or higher in your discipline and have at least five years of experience in the shooting sports, send the following information to the National Coach Trainer ([email protected]):

  • Letter of interest
  • Shooting/Coaching résumé detailing your shooting and coaching experience

 

Additional Resources

Explore the additional resources available to NRA Coaches.

NRA Coaching Ethics Code Manual Laying on a Wooden Desk

Coaching Ethics

Designed with the purpose of establishing coach ethics in order to protect the athletes, coaches, volunteers, our associations and the general public.

Young Female Competitor Discussing Her Shot with Her Coach

Renewing Credentials

All coach credentials are valid for two years or until the expiration date occurs. Find out more about the process and benefits of renewal.

Man in a Yellow Shirt and Cap helping a Competitor with their Target

Important Links and Contacts

Improve your knowledge about coaching. Make sure to check out these resources and contacts important to coaches.

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For more information about the NRA Shooting Sports Coach Development, email [email protected].

Shooting Sports Coach Development

The NRA Coach Education Program offers multi-level training for coaches of the competitive shooting sports in partnership with USA Shooting, the Civilian Marksmanship Program, the Amateur Trapshooting Association, the National Skeet Shooting Association and the National Sporting Clays Association.

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