ICU Education
The ICU offers both online and in person educational opportunities. For online e-learning offerings, please visit the ICU's education portal. For a description of the ICU's in person education courses, click each tab below.
CREDENTIALING COACH CREDENTIALING
CHEERLEADING & PERFORMANCE CHEER
PROGRAMME DETAILS
The ICU Coaches Skill Credentialing (CSC) Programme has been created for both Cheerleading and Performance Cheer coaches around the world to enhance their coaching abilities. It is meant to encourage coaches to learn and improve their skills by regularly testing and receiving feedback from experienced facilitators. The goal of the ICU is to increase the knowledge of safe and reputable technical standards, in order to safely promote growth of the sport.
Whether a new coach or a seasoned and experienced coach, the ICU CSC Programme is for any and all Cheerleading and Performance Cheer coaches worldwide and is available in many languages.
Experienced and trained Cheerleading and Performance Cheer professionals in each region administer the ICU CSC Programme. They are selected based on their coaching experience, integrity, and unbiased commitment to coaches education.
ICU CSC RECOGNITION DETAILS
· Globally accepted coaching credential
· ICU is Provisionally Recognized by the IOC
· Valid for club and school programmes
GLOBAL IMPORTANCE & INFLUENCE
As the Sport of Cheer continues to evolve, new and active coaches must remain committed to their education. This means understanding the basic techniques in each level, in each discipline. With this foundation, coaches can safely challenge their athletes as their technique, strength, and abilities progress. The ICU Coaches Skill Credential also provides sport team administrators/directors and employers with a sense of confidence in the credentialed coach, as each participant must pass online and in person practical exams to demonstrate understanding of the foundational aspects of their discipline at each level.
CONTACT DETAILS.
· Cheerleading Coaches Skill Credentialing: Please contact [email protected]
· Performance Cheer Coaches Skill Credentialing: Please contact [email protected]
Whether you have completed one or more of the ICU Black Medallion credentialing levels OR all of the levels for Cheerleading and/or Performance Cheer, we are thrilled to invite you to join the new ICU coach education portal for FREE!
Once you login, follow the prompts and you can create your own personal coach profile page for yourself for FREE. Once you are onboarded onto the site, you will have access to ongoing and new education opportunities being provided by the ICU, AND – you will be able to print and access your ICU course credentials of completion (certificate, pins, etc.) on this site at anytime and when you want!
RULES RULES COMPREHENSION COURSE
CHEERLEADING
The Cheerleading Rules Comprehension Course (RCC) is a one (1) day in person educational program that consists of interactive classroom education. It offers instruction on the general rules and guidelines of the ICU, the rules terminology and the specific rules for each ICU Level: Novice, Intermediate, Median, Advanced, Elite and Premier. Each rule, for all levels, is broken down and discussed in depth with visual examples and practical application. Upon completion of the course and comprehensive exam, participants will receive the RCC Certificate and Green ICU Pin.
Course Structure
- Introductory, Tumbling for levels Beginner through Premier
- Stunts, Spotters, Release Moves & Inversions
- Twisting, Transitions, Release Moves & Inversions
- Pyramids, Dismounts, & Tosses
Register Online
View available courses
PERFORMANCE CHEER
The Performance Cheer Rules Comprehension Course (RCC) is a one (1) day in person educational program that consists of interactive classroom education. It offers instruction on the general rules and guidelines of the ICU, the rules terminology and the specific rules for Pom, Jazz/High Kick and Hip Hop. Each rule, for all genres, is broken down and discussed in depth with visual examples and practical application. Upon completion of the course and comprehensive exam, participants will receive the RCC Certificate and Green ICU Pin.
Course Structure
- General Rules
- Terminology
- Rules for Individual Athletes
- Rules for Groups & Pairs
- Comprehension Examples
Register Online
View available courses
COACH PHASE I GLOBAL COACHING TECHNIQUES COURSE - PHASE 1
CHEERLEADING
The Cheerleading Global Coaching Techniques Course (GCT) Phase I is a two (2) day in person educational program that consists of interactive classroom theory and practical education. The content supplies the necessary tools and education to build the foundation of a successful and lasting program. Upon completion of the course and comprehensive exam, participants will receive the GCT Phase I Certificate and Blue ICU Pin. This course is the first Phase in the coaching course series and is recommended prior to any ICU Coaching Skill Credentialing.
Course Structure
- Historical overview of Cheerleading and Performance Cheer
- Definition of a coach and their role and responsibilities as a communicator, educator and motivator
- Tryout process and contract development
- Guidelines for a safe and productive practice environment
- How to build strong, healthy and successful athletes that exhibit good sportsmanship
- Creating traditions and using team building exercises to unite your team
- Basic aspects of choreography
- Game Day category overview
- Skill progressions and technique for Levels Novice, Intermediate, Median
Register Online
View available courses
PERFORMANCE CHEER
The Performance Cheer Global Coaching Techniques Course (GCT) Phase I is a two (2) day in person educational program that consists of interactive classroom theory and practical education. The content supplies the necessary tools and education to build the foundation of a successful and lasting program. Upon completion of the course and comprehensive exam, participants will receive the GCT Phase I Certificate and Blue ICU Pin. This course is the first Phase in the coaching course series and is recommended prior to any CSC credentialing.
Course Structure
- Historical overview of Cheerleading and Performance Cheer
- Definition of a coach and their role and responsibilities as a communicator, educator and motivator
- Audition process and contract development
- Skill progressions and technique for Pom, Hip Hop, Jazz and High Kick
- Guidelines for a safe and productive practice environment
- How to build strong, healthy and successful athletes that exhibit good sportsmanship
- Creating traditions and using team building exercises to unite your team
- Basic aspects of choreography
Register Online
View available courses
COACH PHASE II GLOBAL COACHING TECHNIQUES COURSE - PHASE 2
CHEERLEADING
The Cheerleading Global Coaching Techniques Course (GCT) Phase II is a one (1) day in person educational program that consists of interactive classroom theory and practical education. It is accessible to all participants who have received the GCT Phase I Certificate from a previous GCT course. The content builds on the foundation and progressions taught in Phase I, with the inclusion of more advanced skills. The focus is on skill progressions and how to teach the skills safely and properly. Upon completion of the course and comprehensive exam, participants will receive GCT Phase II. This course is the second Phase in the coaching course series and is recommended prior to any CSC credentialing.
Course Structure
- Skill progressions and technique for Levels Advanced, Elite, Premier
- Advanced skill review and instruction on teaching
- Practical application
Register Online
View available courses
PERFORMANCE CHEER
The Performance Cheer Global Coaching Techniques Course (GCT) Phase II is a one (1) day in person educational program that consists of interactive classroom theory and practical education. It is accessible to all participants who have received the GCT Phase I Certificate from a previous GCT course. The content builds on the foundation and progressions taught in Phase I, with the inclusion of more advanced skills. The focus is on proper execution and how to teach the skills safely and properly. Upon completion of the course and comprehensive exam, participants will receive GCT Phase II. This course is the second Phase in the coaching course series and is recommended prior to any CSC credentialing.
Course Structure
- Advanced Pom motions & Pom choreography progressions
- Skill progressions and technique for Pom, Hip Hop, Jazz and High Kick
- Advanced skill review and instruction on teaching
- Practical application
- Tips for Teaching & Cleaning a Routine
Register Online
View available courses
JUDGES JUDGES EDUCATION COURSE
CHEERLEADING
The Cheerleading Judges Education Course (JEC) is a two (2) day in person educational program that consists of interactive classroom and practical education. Upon completion of the comprehensive multiple choice test participants will receive a Phase I Certificate and Red ICU Pin. A video judging exam will be administered to those wishing to potentially receive Phase II by demonstrating their ability to score, rank and give adequate feedback. Phase II will be determined by evaluation of the exam results.
Course Structure
- Properly defining a judge and differentiating the types of judges
- Judging Responsibilities – How to prepare and what is expected of you as a judge
- Judging Objectives – What you as a judge should strive to do along with pointers
- Scoring – How to use a score sheet, master score sheet and maintain consistency
- Critiques – How to create and verbalize constructive feedback for each performance
- Areas of the Scoresheet – What characteristics define each category (Cheer, Partner Stunts, Pyramids, Tosses, Tumbling, Flow and Overall)
- What to look for regarding technique in tumbling, stunts, pyramids, and tosses
- What to look for regarding difficulty: athlete participation, stunt groups, mounts, transitions, body positions, dismounts, number of structures, squad synchronized tumbling
Register Online
View available courses
PERFORMANCE CHEER
The Performance Cheer Judges Education Course (JEC) is a two (2) day in person educational program that consists of interactive classroom and practical education. Upon completion of the comprehensive multiple choice test participants will receive the JEC Phase I Certificate and Red ICU Pin. A video judging exam will be administered to those wishing to potentially receive Phase II by demonstrating their ability to score, rank and give adequate feedback. Phase II will be determined by the evaluation of the exam results.
Course Structure
- Properly defining a judge and differentiating the types of judges
- Judging Responsibilities – How to prepare and what is expected of you as a judge
- Judging Objectives – What you as a judge should strive to do along with pointers
- Scoring – How to use a score sheet, master score sheet and maintain consistency
- Critiques – How to create and verbalize constructive feedback for each performance
- Genres of Performance Cheer – What characteristics define each category
- What to look for regarding technique: posture, kicks, leaps, jumps, turns, pom motions, high kick and hip hop movement
- What to look for regarding choreography, execution and showmanship: difficulty, visuals, musicality, transitions, formations, spacing, synchronization, uniformity, genuine expression and audience appeal
Register Online
View available courses
JUDGES RECERTIFICATION JUDGES EDUCATION COURSE - RECERTIFICATION
CHEERLEADING
The Cheerleading Judges Education Recertification Course (JERC) is a one (1) day in person educational program that consists of interactive classroom and practical education. It is accessible to all participants who have received the JEC Phase II Certificate from a previous JEC course. A video judging exam will be administered to those wishing to maintain Phase II by demonstrating their ability to score, rank and give adequate feedback. Phase II will be determined by evaluation of the exam results.
Course Structure
- Judges' etiquette - what is expected of you as a judge
- Category and score sheet review - explanation and review of current materials
- Introduction of Game Day Division - routine composition and score sheet
- Scoring - interactive discussion and practice on scoring and how to maintain consisitency
- Comments - interactive discussion and practice on how to improve comments
- Video Judging Exam
Register Online
View available courses
PERFORMANCE CHEER
The Performance Cheer Judges Education Recertification Course (JERC) is a one (1) day in person educational program that consists of interactive classroom and practical education. It is accessible to all participants who have received the JEC Phase II Certificate from a previous JEC course. A video judging exam will be administered to those wishing to maintain Phase II by demonstrating their ability to score, rank and give adequate feedback. Phase II will be determined by evaluation of the exam results.
Course Structure
- Judges' etiquette - what is expected of you as a judge
- Category and score sheet review - explanation and review of current materials
- Introduction of Game Day Division - routine composition and score sheet
- Scoring - interactive discussion and practice on scoring and how to maintain consisitency
- Comments - interactive discussion and practice on how to improve comments
- Video Judging Exam
Register Online
View available courses