ACE Introduction

April 06, 2009

New for 2009

Starting January 1, 2009, if your team wants to participate in an ASA national qualifier or the MASA state tournament, one coach must participate in the ASA ACE Coach Certification program. Coaches will be able to take the ACE Coach Certification tests on-line through the ASA Web site. A coach is not limited to one level per year. This program will also allow a coach to participate in the ACE program at his/her convenience and not have to attend a session miles away.

• MASA will still offer the option of on site clinics for 1st year coaches only as we have done in the past.
• Levels 2, 3, and continuing education levels must be done online.

Michigan ASA to host ACE Coach Certification Clinic

The Michigan Amateur Softball Association (MASA) will be hosting ACE Coach Certification Clinics. The clinics will be held in several locations and will feature Level I only. Levels 2, 3, and continuing education levels must be done online.

The ACE Coaching Certification Program is designed to help youth softball coaches understand what their responsibilities are as a coach of a youth softball team and to help coaches have a positive and enjoyable experience on the softball field. Among the topics covered in the clinic are:

• Principles of Coaching ( including dealing with parents ).
• Legal Issues in Sports.
• First Aid.
• Practice Organization.
• Coach-Umpire Relations.

The clinics are offered to certify youth softball coaches of all levels. Pre-registration is encouraged. Registration fee for Level I is $25.00. Level II, level III, and Continuing Education are $20.00.

• The Level I Certification Clinic is approximately 2 hours.
• The Level II Certification Clinic is approximately 1 hour and you must have completed the Level I.
• The Level III Certification Clinic is approximately 1 hour and you must have completed the Level I, and Level II certification.
• The Continuing Education Certification Clinic is approximately 1 hour and you must have completed the Level I, Level I, and Level III certification.

Clinic registration will include all ACE Coach benefits – a $5,000,000 Liability Insurance Policy (if the team is ASA registered), an ACE Coach gift, a personalized ACE membership card, ACE Coach certificate, and discount coupons on ASA merchandise and training tapes.

Please notify anyone who you think would be interested in attending this ACE Coaching Certification Clinic.

Achieve – Certify - Educate

The ACE Coaching Certification Program is designed to help youth softball coaches understand what their responsibilities are as coach of a youth softball team, and to help coaches have a positive and enjoyable experience on the softball field.

First Year Certification

• Take a certification test ( taken directly from the ACE Coaching Certification video .
• Receive a copy of the ACE Coaching Certification Manual.
• Read and sign the "Code of Ethics Pledge".
• $5 million liability insurance policy ( only if coaching an ASA registered team ).
• Personalized membership card as an ASA/USA Softball Coach.
• ACE Coach certificate.
• ACE Coach Gift.
• Discount coupons on ASA merchandise and training videotapes.

Among the topics covered in the clinic for first year certification are:

• Principles of Coaching ( including dealing with parents )
• Legal issues in Sports
• First Aid
• Practice Organization
• Coach-Umpire Relations
• Sport-Specific Skills

Second Year Re-Certification

• Step 1: The Michigan ASA will hold a re-certification clinic each year.
• Step 2: After your first year of certification, you do not need to watch the ACE video again to re-certify. Coaches who wish to re-certify, will take the re-certification test. The re-certification test covers questions taken directly from the ACE Coach manual. Therefore, it is critical that you keep the ACE Coach manual. There will be a $20.00 re-certification fee.
• Step 3: Sign the "Code of Ethics" Pledge.
• Step 4: In return, the ASA will send the Coach an updated ACE Coach ID Card, and the $5 million liability insurance policy (only if coaching a ASA registered team).

Third Year Re-Certification

• Step 1: The Michigan ASA will hold a re-certification clinic each year.
• Step 2: After your second year of certification, coaches who wish to re-certify in the program will take the re-certification test. There will be a $20.00 re-certification fee.
• Step 3: Take and pass a fast pitch rules test.
• Step 4: Sign the "Code of Ethics" Pledge.
• Step 5: In return, the ASA will send the Coach an updated ACE Coach ID Card, and the $5 million liability insurance policy (only if coaching a ASA registered team).

Continuing Education Re-Certification & Beyond

• Step 1: The Michigan ASA will hold a re-certification clinic each year.
• Step 2: After your third year of certification, coaches who wish to re-certify in the program will take the re-certification test. There will be a $20.00 re-certification fee.
• Step 3: Take and pass a ASA rules test.
• Step 4: Sign the "Code of Ethics" Pledge.
• Step 5: In return, the ASA will send the Coach an updated ACE Coach ID Card, and the $5 million liability insurance policy (only if coaching a ASA registered team).
• Step 6: Each year, the level four test will change based on any changes made at the ASA Annual Council Meeting.

Click here for ACE clinic form.