iHoops Coach Certification Program FAQs

• Why is iHoops offering this course?
• Once I’m inside to take the courses, can I jump around to other sections or jump ahead?
• Am I able to print out course supplements for personal use?
• How long do I have to complete the course once I have logged on and purchased it?
• Is this a “Certified” course?
• What happens if the course freezes up on me while I’m in it?
• I’m having problems logging on, who do I call?
• I have forgotten my username and password, who do I call?
• How does it take to complete the 19 and Under Course?
• How long does it take to complete the 12 and Under Course?
• Once I complete the course, what do I receive from iHoops?
• I have no credit card. Can I pay for this course by check or money order?
• If I have questions about the course, who do I call?
• I’d like to take only one section of the 19 and Under Course. Can I just pay for that section and not the entire course?

Why is iHoops offering this course?

The NCAA and the NBA have combined resources to create iHoops and the mission of iHoops is to establish a structure and develop programs to improve the quality of youth basketball in America in order to enhance the athletic, educational, and social experience of the participants.

The groundwork for these instructional courses was developed by researchers and scientists at the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports at Michigan State University. Their dedicated study of youth basketball has taken years and from it we’ve developed courses for coaching male and female players under 12 and under 19 years old.

The iHoops Course for 19 years of age and under provides resources and instruction specifically focused on interscholastic-age students. The three courses include basic and some advanced skills in offense and defense. But, more importantly, they guide you in developing a coaching philosophy for teens and young adults. You’ll learn how to communicate effectively as a basketball coach with an emphasis on creating a positive learning environment. Most people, including those you’ll coach in this particular age group, learn more effectively in an environment where they feel safe, supported and encouraged. The goal of this course is to help create better players – that’s always the goal – but we also want to develop great people, who are on the right path toward a future that provides them opportunities in every endeavor they pursue - not just basketball.

The iHoops Course for 12 years of age and under provide resources and instruction specifically focused on pre-adolescent children. The two courses teach basic skills in offense and defense. But, more importantly, they guide you in developing a coaching philosophy for young people. You’ll learn how to communicate effectively as a basketball coach with emphasis on creating a positive learning environment. Most people, especially children, learn more effectively in an environment where they feel safe, supported and encouraged. The goal of this course is to help create better players, of course. But we also want to develop great people, who are on the right path toward a future that provides them opportunities in every endeavor they pursue - not just basketball.

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer, sports organizations in the United States – a partner of iHoops – is committed to continuing education for its coaches and will eventually require all of its coaches who participate in any of their national basketball championships at all age levels, to have taken one of the two courses offered by iHoops.

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Once I’m inside to take the courses, can I jump around to other sections or jump ahead?

Each course is divided into units and sections, which are listed on the main menu. You will work through the course in sequence. The menu to the left will track your progress. You can always go back to review content, but you cannot jump ahead until you complete a section. If you log out and log back in, the course will resume after the last section you completed.

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Am I able to print out course supplements for personal use?

The “Resources” tab gives you links to web sites outside of this course, as well as supporting materials and forms to download and print any time during the course.

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How long do I have to complete the course once I have logged on and purchased it?

The course will be available to you for a year after your initial registration. Each course is designed to be completed in one sitting; however, if you need to leave and come back to finish it, you can do so. If you stop working on this course in the middle of a unit, you will restart it at the beginning of that particular unit. After you finish this course, you can come back to it for future reference for a year after your initial registration.

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Is this a “Certified” course?

iHoops is pleased to provide the iHoops Coach Certification Program for youth basketball coaches. Neither iHoops nor its affiliates employ the coaches that enroll in the program, and thus have no way to monitor the coach's activities. As with all youth programs, iHoops encourages parents and guardians to be involved, to get to know the coaching staff, and to take steps to ensure the safety of their children and others involved in the program.

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What happens if the course freezes up on me while I’m in it?

Exit the course and logout. Log back into the course. If you are still having difficulty, try exiting and restarting your web browser and/or your computer. If you are still having difficulty please email us at iHoopsCoachCertification@USABasketball.com.

We will provide a response within 48-hours of submitted questions. All responses are answered in the order by which they were received.

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I’m having problems logging on, who do I contact?

Please email us at iHoopsCoachCertification@USABasketball.com.

We will provide a response within 48-hours of submitted questions. All responses are answered in the order by which they were received.

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I have forgotten my username and password, who do I contact?

Please email us at iHoopsCoachCertification@USABasketball.com.

We will provide a response within 48-hours of submitted questions. All responses are answered in the order by which they were received.

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How long does it take to complete the 19 and Under Course?

Time varies for each coach. On average, we estimate that the 19 and Under Course will require at least 3 hours of study. However, each coach may complete the course at his/her own pace.

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How long does it take to complete the 12 and Under Course?

Time varies for each coach. On average, we estimate that the 12 and Under Course will require at least 2 hours of study. However, each coach may complete the course at his/her own pace.

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Once I complete the course, what do I receive from iHoops?

After completion of either the 12U or the 19U Courses you will receive an official iHoops Coach Certification Tip-Off Pack which includes a welcome letter, Certificate of Completion suitable for framing, discounts from iHoops partners and a printed coaching quick guide. Additionally, you will be listed in the official iHoops Coaches Directory on iHoops.com and have the option to receive an e-newsletter from the Coach Certification program to continue your coaching education.

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I have no credit card. Can I pay for this course by check or money order?

We use Amazon Payments to process payments for the course. If you do not have an Amazon account, you can sign up for one during the Coach Certification sign up process. Amazon accepts credit cards only.

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If I have questions about the course, who do I contact?

Please email us at iHoopsCoachCertification@USABasketball.com.

We will provide a response within 48-hours of submitted questions. All responses are answered in the order by which they were received.

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I’d like to take only one section of the 19 and Under Course. Can I just pay for that section and not the entire course?

No – the courses are designed to give each coach a well-rounded primer to coaching youth basketball when completed in their entirety. You must pay for the entire course. You can complete each section at your own pace.

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