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Become A Coach

At SWAT Swim Club, we are always looking for motivated individuals who are passionate about working with youth and helping swimmers grow through structured training and positive coaching. Whether you're an experienced coach or just getting started, you can become a certified USA Swimming coach and begin making an impact on our team. There are three pathways you can take through USA Swimming: Regular Coach, Provisional Coach, and Junior Coach. Each option provides a way to get involved depending on your age, experience, and certification status. SWAT is happy to support new coaches through every step of the process.

Regular Coach

For adults (18+) who are ready to be fully certified before starting on deck.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Contact SWAT Swim Club

Reach out to express your interest in coaching. We’ll help guide you from there.

2. Create a USA Swimming Account

Go to USA Swimming Registration and sign up as a Coach Member.

3. Complete the Required Certifications:

  • USA Swimming Background Check
  • Start here (takes 3–5 days), required every 2 years
  • Athlete Protection Training (APT)
  • Take the course (about 90 minutes), required every year
  • Welcome to USA Swimming
  • Take the course (about 20 minutes)
  • CPR & First Aid Certification
  • Complete with any approved provider (Red Cross, American Heart Association, American Safety and Health Institute and Emergency Care and Safety Institute), must include child and infant, required every 2 years
  • Safety Training for Swim Coaches (STSC)
  • Includes online coursework + in-water skills check, required every 2 years
  • Concussion Protocol Training
  • Take the course (provided online through the CDC)
  • USADA Coaches Advantage Tutorial
  • Take the course (about 60 minutes)
  • Quality Coaching Framework
  • Take the course (about 40 minutes)
  • Rules and Regulations Exam
  • Must be completed within 365 days
  • Core
  • Must be completed within 365 days (consists of 5 modules, 45 minutes - 1 hour each, one distributed every 10 weeks over the course of a year)

4. Submit All Documents to USA Swimming

Upload your certifications to your USA Swimming account.

5. Start Coaching at SWAT!

Once you're fully certified, you're cleared to coach on deck and at meets.


Provisional Coach

For adults (18+) who want to start coaching while finishing certifications. The Provisional Coach Membership is limited to a 3 year term.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Contact SWAT Swim Club

Let us know you want to begin as a Provisional Coach.

2. Register with USA Swimming as a Provisional Coach

Go to USA Swimming Registration and choose Provisional Coach Membership.

3. Complete These Items Immediately:

  • USA Swimming Background Check
  • Start here (takes 3–5 days), required every 2 years
  • Athlete Protection Training (APT)
  • Take the course (about 90 minutes), required every year
  • Welcome to USA Swimming
  • Take the course (about 20 minutes)
  • Safety Training for Swim Coaches (STSC)
  • Includes online coursework with in-water skills check highly recommended by not required, required every 2 years
  • Concussion Protocol Training
  • Take the course (provided online through the CDC)
  • Quality Coaching Framework
  • Take the course (about 40 minutes)

4. Start Coaching Under Supervision

Once those items are complete, you can begin coaching under direct supervision of a fully certified coach.

5. Complete The Following Certifications Within 365 Days:

  • CPR & First Aid Certification
  • Complete with any approved provider (Red Cross, American Heart Association, American Safety and Health Institute and Emergency Care and Safety Institute), must include child and infant, required every 2 years
  • Rules and Regulations Exam
  • Take the course

6. Complete The Following Certification Within 3 Years:

  • Core
  • Consists of 5 modules, 45 minutes - 1 hour each, one distributed every 10 weeks over the course of a year

7. Upgrade to Full Coach Membership

Once all certifications are done, your membership will convert to full coaching status.


Junior Coach

For high school students (age 16–17) who want to assist with practices.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Talk to the SWAT Coaching Staff

Let us know you're interested in being a Junior Coach. We’ll help you register.

2. Register as a Junior Coach with USA Swimming

Your parent/guardian will help you register at USA Swimming Registration.

3.Complete the Required Certifications:

  • Welcome to USA Swimming
  • Take the course (about 20 minutes)
  • CPR & First Aid Certification
  • Complete with any approved provider (Red Cross, American Heart Association, American Safety and Health Institute and Emergency Care and Safety Institute), must include child and infant, required every 2 years
  • Safety Training for Swim Coaches (STSC)
  • Includes online coursework + in-water skills check, required every 2 years
  • Concussion Protocol Training
  • Take the course (provided online through the CDC)
  • USADA Coaches Advantage Tutorial
  • Take the course (about 60 minutes)
  • Quality Coaching Framework
  • Take the course (about 40 minutes)
  • Rules and Regulations Exam
  • Must be completed within 365 days

4. Start Coaching Under Supervision

As a Junior Coach, you’ll always be under the supervision of a certified adult coach.