level i instructor1 usca level i instructor clinic united states curling association

Level I Instructor 1

USCA Level I USCA Level I Instructor ClinicInstructor Clinic

United States Curling Association


Your Instructors Today

• Lead Instructor – ( insert name )• Second Instructor – ( insert name )


AgendaAgenda

Welcome, Introductions, & OverviewClassroom Discussions

Duties of Club Instructors How to Run Effective “Learn to Curl” Sessions Current USA Curling Techniques

BreakOn-ice DemonstrationsClassroom Wrap-up


HousekeepingHousekeeping

• Discussion format – let’s talk!• Restrooms• Schedule

Breaks Lunch

• Questions?


Clinic ObjectiveClinic Objective

Learn to teach beginners how to curl in a safe, fun, and organized

environment


Things to RememberThings to Remember

1. Safety, safety and more safety2. Teach USCA approved techniques3. Dress appropriately – look sharp4. Have fun5. Help participants be successful6. Help participants have fun


Roles of Level I InstructorsRoles of Level I Instructors

Club Instructors Teach novice curlers Instrumental in recruitment of new club

members


Level I Instructor ActivitiesLevel I Instructor Activities• Open house with hundreds of people or pre-

game two minute crash course• Learn-to-Curl clinics & Beginner Leagues• Junior Programs, Little Rockers, Juniors,

School Leagues, etc.• P.E. Programs, High School & College• Media or other fun-spiels• Corporate & team-building events • Other?


Roles of Level II InstructorsRoles of Level II Instructors

Advanced instructors and competitive coaches

Teach Level I Instructors Assist club members to improve in all

areas of the game Contribute to club member retention


Level II Instructor ActivitiesLevel II Instructor Activities

• Conduct Level I Instructor Clinics• Intermediate Junior Instruction• Intermediate and refresher clinics

Delivery analysis and improvement• Video analysis• Use of delivery training aids• Drills

Sweeping, interval timing, weight judgment Team communication Strategy and tactics


Benefits of a USCA Certified Benefits of a USCA Certified Instructional ProgramInstructional Program

• Use of successful methods of instruction• Enhanced recruitment of new members• Development of curling skills through proper

instruction Increases member satisfaction Increases member retention Increases the level of club competition

• Consistency of instruction among club instructors

• Properly trained and experienced instructors add value to club activities and membership


How to Get StartedHow to Get Started

• Recognize the need• Who takes the lead?• Recruit an instructional team• Design instructional offering to meet club

needs• Decide appropriate timing of offerings• Identify target audience• Promotions


Instruction TeamInstruction Team

• 4:1 student to instructor ratio is ideal• Identify the lead instructor &

assistants• Teach USCA approved techniques• Don’t “show off” or intimidate• Present info on “need to know” basis

– avoid information overload



• Agree on agenda & timeframe• Attitude—Make the experience fun• Attire—look professional• Be prepared• Murphy’s Law: The best recruiters

are often the worst instructors



• Be organized—you are competing for participants’ valuable time

• Be aware you are responsible for safety of participants

• Don’t make apologies—put a positive spin on everything


Club PreparationsClub Preparations

• Welcoming entry, warm room, & bathrooms

• Attractive playing area• Excellent ice conditions• Working audio address system• Adequate curling equipment: grippers,

sliders, brooms, sticks, stabilizers etc.• Coffee, hot chocolate, cookies etc.



• Greeters• Sign-in sheets• Liability release forms• Name tags• Curling video and other instructional

aids• Promotional materials



• Instructional Aids Overhead projectors Flip Charts Handouts Posters Strategy Board Demonstration curling stone


Club Risk ManagementClub Risk Management

• Instructors are the front line for safety for both the participants and the club Ensure participants have proper footwear—

athletic type rubber-soled shoes such as tennis shoes

Be aware of other hazards—standing water, areas of frost or uneven ice etc.

Keep a stocked first aid kit at the ice surface


Club Risk ManagementClub Risk Management

• Ensure the safety of participants’ personal belongings.

• If possible, provide a locked area and ensure the area is monitored (arenas)


Safety and ClubSafety and ClubRisk ManagementRisk Management

• Know your club’s liability policy and the consequences for unsigned waivers

• Most clubs require that nobody steps on the ice without a completed insurance liability release form

• Unexecuted forms may increase club liability by $2500 per claim


Safety and ClubSafety and ClubRisk ManagementRisk Management

• Sample ice usage policy:

“The XYZ Curling Club will not allow any participants on the ice whose balance appears impaired from sickness, medications or alcohol.”


Participant SafetyParticipant Safety

• Importance of stretching and warm-up• Participants should have gripper shoes• No running on the ice• Safe use of sliders • Use broom head down to help with

balance• Sweep safely—if you can’t keep up, let it

go!


Participant SafetyParticipant Safety

• Demonstrate stepping on and off the ice surface

• No lifting or carrying stones• No stopping stones with your hands – use

your broom• No pushing stones toward people with their

backs turned• Pay attention on the ice! (no cell phones

etc.)


Training SequencesTraining Sequences

• Inform (instructor provides information)

• Demonstrate (assistants demonstrate on each sheet)

• Learners try • Feedback (positive and constructive)• Practice (learners repeat)


Training MethodsTraining MethodsLead Instructor Provides InformationLead Instructor Provides Information

Sequential presentations on agenda items:

Flat-foot balanced slide – training wheels, hand elevated, with stone

Grip, turn, & release – play catch Practice slides emphasizing

alignment Sweeping


Training MethodsTraining MethodsDemonstrateDemonstrate

Assistants demonstrate current USCA accepted techniques following presentation on each element

If you aren’t able to demonstrate the technique properly, find someone who can


Training MethodsTraining MethodsLearner TriesLearner Tries

• Maintain a fun and relaxed environment• Assess learner’s ability to successfully and

safely perform the skill• Make appropriate adjustments to enable

them to be successful – provide sticks, stabilizers or information on semi-upright delivery as necessary

• Keep the duct tape handy!


Training MethodsTraining MethodsInstructor Provides FeedbackInstructor Provides Feedback

• Find something they did well to comment on first

• Be positive and constructive• Give one suggestion for improvement

for them to try the next time• Demonstrate again if necessary• Keep comments positive!


Training MethodsTraining MethodsPracticePractice

• Provide sufficient time for the learner to practice the what has been learned

• As appropriate, use drills or game situations to reinforce instruction

• Continue to be available to provide feedback and keep learner on track


Instructor TrapsInstructor Traps

• Avoid over-instructing; keep it appropriate for the time period available and the experience of the participants

• Avoid going off topic—keep instruction back on track (keep a copy of the agenda in your hip pocket)


More Instructor TrapsMore Instructor Traps

• If you don’t know—say so! Be the “humble” instructor “I’ll find out and get back to you on that.”

• Keep the group engaged—change the schedule around if you think interest is fading

• Poor environmental factors Noise and distractions Inadequate space etc.


Still More Instructor TrapsStill More Instructor Traps

• Use ice time wisely! It’s cold out there! Minimize talking time on the ice Keep the group moving and engaged If a participant needs extra help, take

him/her aside with another instructor

• Don’t physically overwork participants


Novice CurriculumNovice Curriculum• Basics of the game• Safety and physical preparation (stretching)• Delivery• Sweeping• Basic etiquette• How much of this can be done in the warm

room?• How would your approach differ for

1 hour “Try Curling” 3 hour “Learn to Curl” 6 week “Curling School”


Safety and Physical Safety and Physical PreparationPreparation

• Demonstrate proper pre-game stretching

• Demonstrate proper warm-up exercises

• Use of stretching to show curling delivery

• Review ice safety, especially use of sliders


Basics of the GameBasics of the Game

• Purpose of Game (Scoring)• Teams and positions• Ice elements—field of play• Types of shots (Draw and Take Out)• Game flow, ends and game lengths


Stepping on the IceStepping on the Ice

Ensure participants have proper, clean footwear, and grippers

Review safety (stepping on and off ice) Distribute brooms and sliders Quickly review field of play and lines Other?


Delivery—GeneralDelivery—General

• Flat foot—no lift• PDS—Press, Draw Back, Slide• ABC’s of a good delivery

Alignment Balance Curl (Grip, Turn & Release)

• Power generators & delivery cadence


Power GeneratorsPower Generators

• Leg drive• Body drop/forward momentum• Arm extension


Delivery—BalanceDelivery—Balance

• Balance is key part of delivery!• Work up slowly

Training wheels – simple, short slide with broom flat on ice (perpendicular to center line) or stabilizing device

Delivery with no stone (hand elevated) Normal delivery with stone


Delivery—AlignmentDelivery—Alignment• Align body and stone toward skip’s

broom

• Hack set-up position

• Practice slides

• Alignment drills—toward cups and through cups


Delivery—Curl (Release)Delivery—Curl (Release)

• Grip, Turn, & Release• “A million dollar slide and a two cent

release = a two cent shot.” Wrist above Handle—fingers together and

pointing down Cradle handle between 2nd and 3rd

knuckles Hand positioned over center of rotation of

stone


Delivery—Curl (Release)Delivery—Curl (Release)

• Rotate handle to 10:00 or 2:00 position• Last 4 ft of slide—rotate handle toward

12:00 & release with hand in handshake position at level of handle

• 2 ½ revolutions down the sheet is ideal• Describe skip’s sign language for turn • Practice across sheet with partner using

skip broom & signal


Delivery—Put It All TogetherDelivery—Put It All Together• Forward press • Rock back, hips up and back, &

sliding foot back• Rock forward, sliding foot forward &

centered under chest, slide toward broom

• Turn & release• Cadence: press, rock-foot, rock-foot,

slide


SweepingSweeping

• Explain why cleans and warms the ice rocks travel farther and straighter (not faster)

• Explain mechanics of sweeping – pressure & velocity

• Emphasize safety look down the ice, avoid rocks in play if you can’t keep up, back off and let it go

• Explain burned stones (running and stationary)


SweepingSweeping

• Explain positioning of sweepers• Explain sweeping signals (voice

commands, hand signals)• Explain who decides when to sweep

on draws, take-outs• Question: How many people can

sweep? (Is this effective?)


Basic StrategyBasic Strategy

• Don’t over-instruct here!• “Club strategy” vs. “Elite strategy”• Shot choice—novice curlers keep

more rocks in play with lower weight shots


HISEAHISEA

• Hammer• Ice conditions• Score• End• Ability


EtiquetteEtiquette

• Self-policing• Be ready when it’s your turn• Stay out of the way• Quiet and still during other’s

deliveries• Spirit of Curling - Shake hands before

and after game


Playing a GamePlaying a Game

• Separate players into teams, assign positions

• Have teams shake hands and wish each other good curling!

• Decide hammer with coin flip (thirds or leads, depending)


Playing a GamePlaying a Game• Have an instructor at each end• House instructor helps skips and

thirds understand how to call shots, give signals etc.

• Instructor at throwing end ensures participants are ready to go (including sweepers), players understand shot called, turn, delivery, where to go next, etc.


Playing a GamePlaying a Game

• Have fun! Celebrate rocks in the house!

• Explain scoring after first end• Explain how to use the scoreboard• Players shake hands and thank each

other for a good game!


Stepping Off the IceStepping Off the Ice

• Thank attendees for participation• Congratulate them on their

achievements• Provide participants with

instructional & promotional materials• “Close the sale”—what would you

like participants to do now?


Acknowledgement & Thanks to GNCC Members

• Mary Jane Walsh• Roger Rowlett


Wrap-UpWrap-Up

• Level I Instructor Exam• Certification Process• Clinic Evaluation• Final Questions?

level i instructor1 usca level i instructor clinic united states curling association

Documents

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