I am a YABA coach. I am coaching youths from Juniors through Seniors. I have toying with the idea of setting up a clinic on spare shooting and its importance for bowler in house where I am coaching. I have two questions:

What does everyone think about the idea?

I have never performed a clinic so I was wondering if there are any good resources to help me put it together?


I am open for ideas and suggestions....

Thanks

If you're not already a Bronze or Silver Level Coach with USA Bowling you should consider taking the certification course. Not only so you may acquire the proper instruction techniques and certification for holding such a clinic but also to have access to the various teaching materials available. They have lesson plans, videos, and workbooks that you can use during such a clinic and they have a standardized curriculum that's proven!

For more infomation on USA Bowling Instruction see: http://www.bowl.com/bowl/usa/common/coaching/index.html

Thanks for you comment. I am a certified coach but I took the coaching class about 8 - 10 yeasrs ago. I am considering taking the JO level I and II classed so I can get the updated information. lus from talking to people who have been through the classes things have changed since I took it.


Jim

Junior Olympic is a good certification to have but it does not compare with the USA Bowling Bronze or Silver certifications. USA Bowling is much more in depth and complete qualification.

Okay, I've just got to plug in here...

I'm a YABA Master Instructor. That entitles me to teach both Level I and Level II JO classes. I am also Bronze and Silver certified. Bronzed once by Fred Borden and again my Susie Minshew. Silvered by Palmer Falgren.

It's true. You get more information in the Bronze and Silver, but I would hope so since they last for 16+ hours each and cost $265 and $365 respectively.

However, the Junior Olympic classes address the aspect of working with young people and their specific needs. The Level I works with a 'progression' of steps that help to establish muscle memory for each aspect of ball delivery. Starting with the arm swing and eventually working up to a four step approach. It also presents programs available to youth bowlers through the YABA.

The Level II addresses the skills required to be a coach (is that in Bronze or Silver?) and quickly (remember 8-hours max) covers mental aspects, stance, approach, lane play, lane conditions, types/fit of equipment, coaches tools and more. The Level II actually introduces a few concepts that are in the Silver class. The price? $45 for Level I and $75 for Level II. That is, unless your center has 100+ sanctioned YABA bowlers. If so, they receive a training credit for every 100 bowlers sanctioned making the Level I free and the Level II $30.

To say it doesn't compare with USA Bowling certification? Well, okay. But the USA Bowling training doesn't compare the need that the JO training fulfills.

jyabroff was looking at setting up a clinic for young bowlers. Lets' not present mass bias and pin placement of a bowling ball until we teach them what fits.

Keep smiling Steve!!!

I just took the JO level I course last month taught by Kevin McClelland, and I can't recommend it enough.

Ten years ago, I took the YABA class (with the lovely yellow and green manual), and what I learned this time is beyond compare.

While bronze and silver might be great classes, it would be difficult to ask the coaches to come up with several hundred dollars or ask the center to pay for it for the coaches. What we learned in the JO class is directly related to coaching children and the differences they pose as bowlers to coaches.

For parents, coaches, and the like, I encourage you to get together and request a JO clinic.

Way to go Angel,

I would like to add just one group to your list of people that would benefit.

Older YABA members. On any given week we have 3 to 5 of them, who hang around for the second flight, and work with the littler ones. All of them went through the level one class, and intially were teamed up with a adult coach. Now they coach independant, and the little kids think that is great.

They also report that taking the class, and then coaching, has helped their personal game.

Steve, I agree that USA Bronze and Silver is more indepth. To such an extent, that unless a person is well versed, they can easily get lost in the class. Taking both Level one and Level Two, is good prep work to make sure that you are well versed.

Lon

I'll second that emotion on recruiting the older YABA bowlers for the courses. We sent one to the clinic who doesn't bowl with his thumb. After taking the course, however, he'll be teaching that way. His biggest fear was that after taking the course, they'd FORCE him to use his thumb. Of course not, but at least he has to TEACH that way, which is a form of poetic justice in itself.

All the coaches will have the certification next year, so I'll happily send more juniors through the program with my credits from YABA next year.

Hullo, Rich, Idaho. GoodCoach here in Seattle.

I took the original YABA coach/instructor courses when I first got started and found them invaluable. I am currently the only coach for about 60 kids from 5 to 18 years of age, but I've finally talked a couple of the more interested parents and one of my high school scratch bowlers to go the the JO 1 course and I'm going to take it myself to bring myself back up to date with the latest direction in working with youth bowlers. This way, I come up to speed and I'm on the same page as my 'assistants' when we get back to the center. My Bronze and Silver levels have helped my understand my game and the techniques that can be taught, but I think the JO courses are very helpful in understanding the youth bowler and how best to approach them with all that knowledge.

GoodCoach
Conrad B. Smith
Kent Bowl Youth Director
Kent Washington