NSCAA National Coaching School Course

This past week, I went to Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg PA for the NSCAA National Coaching course.  It was an intense and difficult experience but one of the best things I've ever done.  These coaching course are difficult because you have to coach your peers and prove that you know what your doing in the technical as well as tactical aspects of the game.  There were hardly any women there and we got split up into groups and I was the only woman in mine.  It was very scary but as I got to know the guys in my group, I was so glad that I was paired up with them.

The course consists of a lot of lectures and field time.  When you not in lecture, your on the field learning and then coaching while your team mates become your players and you coach them.  You are then graded on your ability to coach while using the NSCAA methods of coaching.  It's a very intimidating process as your coaching and correcting your  peers.  Some of these guys are incredible players and coaches and so I was anxiety ridden as you can imagine.

As my turn for my first coaching session came, I was pacing the sidelines and thought I was going to puke.  Once I got going though, I did pretty well and felt good about it.  It's just very intimidating to be judged on your knowledge of the game, your ability to coach and teach it while being watched by everyone, including the course evaluators from the coaching staff.

I know I passed and I'm pretty sure I got a good pass which means I can take the Advanced course next year.   I should find out next week how well I did.   I have the equivalent of a USSF National C license now.   Pretty awesome to have it under my belt!

I loved the guys in my group.  They treated me so great and we all grew close as the week went by.  I loved playing with these guys.  When it was not my turn to coach, I had to become a player while the others took their turns.  I trained for quite a few months to be sure I'd be in shape and my body held up!   They were gentlemen and genuine great guys and I can't wait to go back and see them all next summer at the Advanced.