Coaching Pathways

In order to become a trained Gymnastics Foundations (GF) coach, a participant 15+ years old must attend a series of three training courses, as described below.

1. GF Theory - This course is run virtually and can be taken in any order relative to the other two courses.
2. GF Introduction - This course introduces basic concepts of play, class management, and fundamental movement patterns. It must be completed prior to completing a Discipline Specific course.
3. A Discipline specific GF course (e.g. Active Start, Artistic, Trampoline and Rhythmic)/
   1. Active Start – coaches are introduced to the active start approach and learn how to work with preschool age children. They will be prepared to coach participants aged six months to six years.
   2. Artistic – coaches learn the Fundamental Movement Patterns (FMPs): stationary positions, landings, locomotion, rotation, spring and swing. Coaches also learn basic skills specific to artistic gymnastics and will be prepared to coach recreational artistic participants aged six years to teens (Both MAG and WAG).
   3. Trampoline – coaches learn progressions and safety tips for teaching basic jumps, body landing skills, adding twist before or after a skill and combination skills specific to trampoline gymnastics. Coaches will be prepared to coach recreational trampoline participants.

Click here to download the Coach Development Guide - a checklist of every step to becoming certified at each level.

In order to become a trained Competition Introduction (Comp 1/C1) coach, a participant 16+ years old must be fully trained in the relevant Foundations discipline, and then attend a series of training courses, as described below.

1. Comp 1 Theory - This course is run virtually and can be taken in any order relative to the technical course(s). Modules included are Nutrition, Designing a Basic Sports Program, Teaching and Learning, and Basic Mental Skills. All four modules must be completed.
2. A Discipline specific Comp 1 course
   1. Men's Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) – This course includes two days of Common Apparatus Instruction - Tumbling, Common Bars, and Vault - and one day of MAG Apparatus Instruction - Pommel, Rings, and Parallel Bars. All three days must be completed.
   2. Women's Artistic Gymnastics (WAG)– This course includes two days of Common Apparatus Instruction - Tumbling, Common Bars, and Vault - and one day of WAG Apparatus Instruction - Artistry and Beam. All three days must be completed.
   3. Trampoline Gymnastics (TG) – This course includes modules for Trampoline, Double Mini Trampoline, and Tumbling. Coaches who have taken Comp 1 Artistic do not need to take part in the tumbling module, otherwise all three modules must be completed.

Click here to download the Coach Development Guide - a checklist of every step to becoming certified at each level.

In order to become a trained Competition Introduction Advanced (Comp 2/C2) coach, a participant must be fully certified in the relevant Comp 1 discipline, and then attend a training course as described below.

1. Men's Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) – This course includes three days of Common Apparatus Instruction - Planning, Tumbling, Common Bars, and Vault - and one day of MAG Apparatus Instruction - Pommel, Rings, and Parallel Bars. All four days must be completed.
2. Women's Artistic Gymnastics (WAG)– This course includes three days of Common Apparatus Instruction - Planning, Tumbling, Common Bars, and Vault - and one day of WAG Apparatus Instruction - WAG Bars, Artistry, and Beam. All four days must be completed.
3. Trampoline Gymnastics (TG) – This course includes modules for Trampoline, Double Mini Trampoline, and Tumbling. Coaches who have taken Comp 2 Artistic do not need to take part in the tumbling module, otherwise all three modules must be completed.

Click here to download the Coach Development Guide - a checklist of every step to becoming certified at each level.

In order to become a trained Competition Development (Comp 3/C3) coach, a participant must be fully certified in the relevant Comp 2 discipline, and then attend a series of training courses, as described below.

1. Comp Dev Theory - There are four Theory components at the Comp 3 level. These are not offered by GymBC and must be completed through ViaSport or another Province's multi-sport organization
   1. Psychology of Performance
   2. Managing Conflict
   3. Manage a Sport Program
   4. Coaching and Leading Effectively
2. A Discipline specific Comp 3 course
   1. Men's Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) – This course includes two days of Common Apparatus Instruction - Planning, Tumbling, Common Bars, and Vault - and two days of MAG Apparatus Instruction - Pommel, Rings, High Bar, and Parallel Bars. All four days must be completed.
   2. Women's Artistic Gymnastics (WAG)– This course includes two days of Common Apparatus Instruction - Planning, Tumbling, Common Bars, and Vault - and two days of WAG Apparatus Instruction - WAG Bars, Artistry and Dance, and Beam. All four days must be completed.
   3. Trampoline Gymnastics (TG) – This course includes modules for Trampoline, Double Mini Trampoline, and Tumbling. Coaches who have taken Comp 3 Artistic do not need to take part in the tumbling module, otherwise all three modules must be completed.

Click here to download the Coach Development Guide - a checklist of every step to becoming certified at each level.

Coaches who are interested in becoming Comp 4 trained should contact coaching@gymbc.org for more information.