PHILOSOPHY OF COACHES: Coaches are primarily responsible for imparting valuable educational experiences to student participants.  Therefore, the WIAA believes that all coaches should have training in at least the essential areas of study required for a physical education teacher's endorsement in Washington secondary schools and the NFHS Coaches Education Program.

AFFIRMATION OF GOALS # 1 AND 2 OF THE ASSOCIATION.  THEREFORE:

23.1.0             EMPLOYEE OF THE DISTRICT - No school team or individual contestant shall be eligible to represent a school in an athletic contest unless the coach is an employee of the school district in which he/she coaches.  This requirement applies to all paid and/or volunteer coaches.  Volunteers become an employee of the District, and may serve as coaches, only upon registration, approval and authorization of the school district Board of Directors.

                   23.1.1                 SUPERVISION - A school appointed coach, or another appointed member of the school faculty, must accompany any school team (or individual) at any time in connection with school  sponsored interscholastic competition.

23.2.0             TRAINING - Interscholastic coaches, paid and/or volunteer, shall have training in at least the essential areas of study required for a physical education teacher's endorsement in Washington secondary schools and the NFHS Coaches Education Program.  For initial employment as a paid and/or volunteer interscholastic coach, an individual must meet the following requirements:

23.2.1  ENTRY-LEVEL COACH REQUIREMENTS - Described below are the entry-level standards for a paid and/or volunteer interscholastic coach for employment, progressive employment, and continuous employment.

            A. Hold a valid current First Aid Certification Card or have completed a School District approved Athletic Training/Sports Medicine course equivalent to the Red Cross First Aid Card training or be enrolled in that type of class.  A Sports Medicine course is to include prevention of injuries, recognition of injuries, emergency on-site procedures including transporting the injured, and rehabilitation of injuries.  If a Sports Medicine course is used to fulfill this requirement, it must be renewed every three (3) years.

             B.     Hold a valid current CPR Certification Card or be enrolled in a CPR Course.

C. Red Cross Safety Training for Swim Coaches is required for all swimming and diving coaches.

             D.     The Employing School District will require:

    1. Washington State Patrol Criminal History Information Form required by RCW 43.43.830 on file.

                        2.             The SPI Moral Character Supplement Form 4020B be completed.

             E.     The Coach Must Satisfy the Following Requirements:

                     1.             Be a high school graduate

a. Be at least 21 years of age to be a head coach.

b. Be at least 19 years of age to be an assistant coach.

    2. Head Coach - High School - Annually attend a WIAA approved rules clinic for the sport being coached, or pass the WIAA approved sports rules test required of officials for the sport being coached prior top the end of the third week of the sports season.

    a. DEFINITION OF A HEAD COACH - A head coach is that person in charge of the highest level team for that building (e.g.), the person responsible for the highest level (varsity) team in a building that houses grades 10-12 is the head coach; the person who is responsible for the highest level team in a building that houses grades 7-9 is the head coach.

3.       Head Coach - Middle Level - The WIAA recommends, but does not require, that the head coach at the middle level or junior high level annually attend a WIAA approved rules clinic or pass the WIAA approved sports rules test required of officials for the sport being coached.

23.2.2 BEGINNING COACH LEVEL REQUIREMENTS  (Paid and/or Volunteer Coaches)

             A.     High School Coaches: Before the beginning of the third year of coaching employment, the Beginning Coach must have completed a total of at least thirty (30) hours of coaches education  courses.  A coach remains at the beginning level and earns an additional 15 hours of coaching education courses within the next three years of coaching.

             B. Middle Level Coaches: Must complete a coaching effectiveness training class as provided by the WIAA or a school district approved coaching course equivalent to the NFHS Coaches Education Program and approved by the WIAA, or complete a total of at least thirty (30) coaches education hours.  Training must be completed before the beginning of the third year of coaching employment.  Middle level coaches are encouraged to obtain a minimum of fifteen (15) clock hours of coaching standard courses during any three (3) year period of coaching.

         23.2.3               Continuous Training Level requirements–(Paid and/or Volunteer Coaches)

After completion of the beginning coach level, during each subsequent three (3) year period of coaching, must obtain a minimum of fifteen (15) coaches education hours of approved coaches standards courses selected or prescribed by the employing school district shall be completed by all high school coaches.

                   A. An individual who has earned a Physical Education major or minor and/or a Coaching major or is considered to have completed the WIAA Beginning Coach Level requirements and shall only be required to meet the Continuous Training Level.

                   B. An individual who coached 5 of 7 years prior to the 94-95 school year, a cheer coach prior to the 96-97 school year, or a dance-drill coach prior to the 98-99 school year, shall be grand-fathered and is considered to have completed the WIAA Beginning Coach level requirements and shall only be required to meet the Continuous Training level.

23.3.0       PROGRESSIVE LEVELS OF COACHING STANDARDS- (OPTIONAL STATUS-Paid and/or Volunteer Coach)

Should an individual wish to work toward professional fulfillment in the coaching profession, he/she must earn 60 coaches education hours and have four (4) years of interscholastic coaching experience for the experienced coach level, and 90 clock hours and have six (6) years of interscholastic coaching experience for the preferred coach level.

23.3.1  EXPERIENCED COACH STANDARD (Optional status)

            A. Four years of interscholastic coaching, and a total of sixty (60) coaches education hours shall be completed from three (3) or more of the Coaching education areas.  (Additional 30 course hours beyond Beginning Coach Standards).

            B. Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of School District and WIAA Interscholastic Activities policies.

23.3.2  PREFERRED COACH STANDARD (Optional status)

            A. Six (6) years of interscholastic coaching and a total of ninety (90) coaches education hours shall be completed with a minimum of six (6) hours from each of the five coaches education categories listed below. (Additional 30 hours beyond the Experienced Coach level.

            B. Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of School District and WIAA Interscholastic Activities policies.

23.4.0                COACHES EDUCATION CATEGORIES (Knowledge and Skills)

             A.     Medical aspects of coaching - Health and Welfare

                        1.             Care and Prevention of student injury

                                a. First Aid

                                b. CPR Certification

                                c. Athletic Training/Sports Medicine

                                d. Chemical and Substance Abuse

                                e. Injury Rehabilitation

                        2.             Kinesiology

                        3.             Exercise Physiology

             B.     Legal Aspects of Coaching - Litigation, Liability

                        1.             School Physical Education, Sports, or Athletic Law

                        2.             Annual review of rule changes and application of rules

                        3.             School Board Policies, WIAA Rules, School Law

             C.     Psycho/Social Foundations

                     1.                Sociology and Psychology of Sports (adolescent psychology, sports sociology and psychology, motivation, dealing with substance abuse.)

                        2.             Philosophy of Interscholastic Activities Programs

             D.     Coaching Techniques

                        1.             Instructional methods in physical education/activities

                        2.             Instructional methods in physical education for handicapped

                        3.             Instructional methods in interscholastic sports

             E.     Philosophy/Sports Management/Pedagogy

                   23.4.1                 Providers of clock hours - Upon WIAA approval of course outline and instructor, coaching education clock hours may be obtained from an accredited university or college, WIAA-approved offering or an OSPI named provider.

23.4.0   COACHES EDUCATION COMPLIANCE The WIAA will monitor coaching education compliance of all coaches beginning with the 2001-2002 school year.  Each school year, schools will report coaching standards compliance for all paid and/or volunteer coaches, at both the high school and middle school levels.  A school will be in compliance if eighty percent (80%) of their coaches meet coaching education standards.  A school will provide a plan of action to have all coaches in coaching education compliance.

A.        First year of non-compliance, a school is placed on probation for one year and a letter is sent to the school’s Superintendent, Principal and Athletic Director.

B.        Second year of non-compliance, leagues/WIAA Districts/WIAA Executive Board action could include loss of post-season playoff revenue.

C.       Third year of non-compliance, leagues/WIAA Districts/WIAA Executive Board action could include loss of right to participate in post-season play. 

23.6.0             SHARED COACHING - The WIAA Executive Director may approve shared coaching in diving and pole vaulting that have been determined to pose a safety or health concern for student athletes due to the qualifications or lack thereof of available coaching staff.  Prior to approval the following criteria must be documented or verified to the Executive Director by the requesting member school:

            A. The requesting school district has determined no qualified coaching is available, and the shared coach is qualified and approved (employed) by the local school district in compliance with Coaching Standards as set forth by the WIAA.

            B. The "specialized" program must be made available to all athletes in that event (e.g.), under the safety purposes of this permissive rule, if a school sends one pole vaulter to a shared coach, the school must send all pole vaulters from the school.)

             C.     Coaching will be only during the WIAA adopted season for the sport.

            D. Approval must be requested with each two (2) year classification period.  

23.7.0             Negative Commentary/BY COACHES AND/OR OFFICIALS - The WIAA discourages and prohibits any negative commentary or statements to the media or general public relative to officiating prior to, during, or following any interscholastic activity or athletic event.  This rule applies equally to members of the Washington Officials Association relative to coaching tactics or administrative responsibilities.

                   Constructive criticism or comments are always welcomed and should be made available, through the proper channels (verbally or in writing) directly to the person(s) involved and/or their immediate supervisors.

                   Schools and their employees found in violation of this policy shall be subject to penalties of the WIAA. (WIAA Rule 27.5.0)   Members of the Washington Officials Association found to be in violation of this policy shall be subject to penalty by the WOA Board of Directors.