Are you ready to take a USPA Coach Course?  

By Angie Aragon 

Ready to register? Click here!

There are many reasons why skydivers pursue their Coach Rating. They do it to ultimately get an AFF or Tandem Instructor Rating, to become a Load Organizer or simply to take on a new skydiving challenge. Regardless of the reason it is a GREAT course to take.

Can someone with 100 jumps really coach another person in the sky? If the skydiver has the flying skills, observation and recall skills, and the situational and safety awareness to plan, execute, and debrief a two-way skydive then I believe they have what it takes to coach. I also believe that 100 jumps is a great point for skydivers to get back into the classroom for 3-4 days to expand their knowledge, educate themselves on how to communicate with newer jumpers appropriately, break down what they know (or what they think they know), and challenge themselves.

During the Coach Course a skydiver is trained to take their self supervising skills (which they have been using on themselves since getting their A License) and supervise someone else.

GROUND: We break down what it takes to Prepare for the skydive. Assess conditions (i.e. weather, winds, physical, psychological, etc.), Review (i.e. emergency procedures, landing patterns, break off sequence, etc.), and Train (i.e. new exits, new maneuvers and dive flow, etc.).

IN-FLIGHT: On the way to altitude we practice thorough safety procedures (i.e. seat belts, check of 3’s, pin check, etc.) and ensure we are in a calm psychological state by using relaxation techniques such as breathing, visualization, and success triggers. What is the last thing you and all your buddies do before that door opens? Handshakes and smiles!

FREEFALL: We use our flying skills to Be There and Observe. In the course we explain how to analyse the skydive. A Coach is only as good as their ability to identify improper technique and tell their student how to fix it. Skills Analysis is a skill that is developed over time, we lay the groundwork and teach you how to give a thorough debrief.

CANOPY: We analyze canopy skills for pattern, landing, and accuracy.  Do you know how to use proper vocabulary when referring to a skydiving wing?

When we break up complex things into smaller parts they are easier to explain. In turn, when an individual learns to explain small parts of a complex skill they learn themselves.

THE FLYING SKILLS:

Everyone is always worried about the flying skills. Most of our courses will have the option of a skills building “pre-course” in which we will focus on the individuals flying skills.  This is also a demonstration of coaching before the Coach Course. We include practice jumps which focus on developing the skills required to pass the evaluation jumps.

What can you do before the course to prepare:

• Go on jumps where you can practice your exit skills.
• Chasing in a dive or from a floating position and working on getting to the “base” within 10 seconds to take that first dock.
• Learn what 10ft, 15ft, 20ft, 100ft, and 200ft look like while falling through the sky. You need to be within 20 feet of your “student” at all times and you need to ensure that you track 200ft from your “student” before you pull.
• Fill out your log book. The Coach rating is a professional skydive certification which means that you should be able to show a thorough and verifiable log book, WITH ENDORSEMENTS (a.k.a. signatures or bubble log)!
• Sit in of a First Jump Course at your local DZ. Once you get your rating you will be able to teach non-method specific portions of the First Jump Course, you’ll need to observe an FJC before getting to the coach course so you know what will be expected of you.
• Complete the exam in the USPA Instructor Rating Manual.
• Be prepared to dress for success during the course. Have a jumpsuit, altimeter, audible, helmet, etc.
• Make sure your container is in date. Make sure you have waivered at the dropzone where the course will be at and have done a practice jump so that your not doing your first skydive at a new dropzone during a “hot” evaluation jump.

Ready to register for the Coach Course? Click here!

2024 Course Schedule:

About the Author:  Angie Aragon is a USPA Coach, Tandem, and AFFI Examiner with 7K+ jumps.  She proudly serves as your USPA National Director and is an advisor to the Safety & Training Committee.  Her home base is Skydive Perris & Skydive Chicago, but you can find her and her 3 animals traveling around the country during her summer tour!!

When it comes to skydiving products, buy from the best! UPT Vector, Larsen & Brusgaard, and don’t forget to ask me about my sexy Cookie Helmet!  MEOW!