Professional Ski Instructors of America - National
PSIA National
American Association of Snowboard Instructors
AASI National
The Official Site of the United States Ski Team
USSA
International Ski Instructors Association
ISIA
Go With A Pro
Go With A Pro

AASI Western Snowboard Freestyle Accreditation

Develop yourself as a Freestyle Specialist!!

The goal of the Freestyle Accreditation Program is to promote safe learning through educated instructors and coaches. This program will create a guide for certified instructors that want to become proficient in educating and coaching within the field of freestyle education. The courses will have a focus on teaching applications along side riding abilities. Candidates will learn to use safe teaching practices to progress students through stages of learning in Freestyle Arenas. The program will also be a forum for supporting and educating current NSAA safety standards such as the "Smart Style Safety Initiative" and proper Park and Pipe Etiquette. This program is not a certification, but rather an addition to a certification that someone already holds. The two levels of accreditation and the requirements for participation will be described below. Any candidate that completes the Freestyle Level II Accreditation successfully is considered to be a "Freestyle Specialist" by the American Association of Snowboard Instructors Western Division standards.

Level 1 Freestyle Accreditation

Level 2 Freestyle Accreditation

Level 1: Snowboard Freestyle Accreditation

Course Description:
The Level I Freestyle Accreditation consists of two days of training. Each day requires on hill activities that are educational as well as interactive. The first day covers the content and maneuvers required to successfully complete the course. The second day consists of more of accreditation candidates showing their teaching/coaching abilities in action. Understanding and application of skills must be shown in order to successfully complete the course. This is a pass or fail event.

Prerequisites:

  • AASI Level I Certification
  • A willingness and ability to perform the required freestyle maneuvers
  • The completion of Level I Freestyle Accreditation Workbook

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Level I Freestyle Accreditation: REQUIRED RIDING:

    "A Level I Freestyle Specialist is able to..."
  1. Execute safe freestyle maneuvers on natural and man-made terrain features.
  2. Maintain balance and control while executing freestyle maneuvers in both small and medium terrain parks and half-pipes, as denoted by NSAA.
  3. Perform a variety of freestyle maneuvers on boxes/rails, jumps and other natural and manmade features.

Riding Tasks:

    May include, but are not limited to the following:
  1. Jump tabletops in both small and medium parks landing safely in the transition.
  2. Execute straight airs with a least two different grabs.
  3. Demonstrate two of the four air 180 maneuvers over a tabletop.
  4. Demonstrate one of the four air 360 maneuvers over a tabletop.
  5. Perform functional half-pipe riding at or above the lip of a small and/or medium half-pipe.
  6. Perform at least two grabs and at least two different rotations in a small or medium half-pipe.
  7. Demonstrate safe box/rail riding techniques while executing at least two different types of sliding maneuvers.

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Level I Freestyle Accreditation: TEACHING/COACHING

Teaching Knowledge:

    "A Level II Freestyle Specialist is able to..."
  1. Identify the principles of the Snowboard Teaching System (S.T.S.) as well as discuss how to use the system when teaching freestyle snowboarding, from intro to freestyle to intermediate freestyle.
  2. Discuss how to integrate the Rider’s Responsibility Code and Smart Style when teaching and training freestyle riders.
  3. Describe the use of A.T.M.L. when teaching freestyle and how it can be adjusted to different styles of learners.
  4. Describe how different stages of development affect our students.

Application of Teaching:

    "A Level I Freestyle Specialist is able to..."
  1. Teach from introduction to freestyle to intermediate freestyle in the Terrain Park, Half-pipe and natural terrain arenas.
  2. Demonstrate a working knowledge of the Teaching Concepts by effectively applying them to students in and out of terrain arenas.
  3. Modify coaching activities to meet the needs of each student.
  4. Show the ability to create basic freestyle progressions, from static to dynamic and easy to complex.

Movement Analysis:

    "A Level I Freestyle Specialist is able to..."
  1. Describe how movement concepts affect board performance in beginner through intermediate freestyle snowboarders.
  2. Determine the cause and effect relationships as related to A.T.M.L.
  3. Describe riders’ movements and prioritize developmental needs for riders in terrain arenas.
  4. Prepare a movement-based developmental progression to improve performance by focusing on exercises and tasks.
  5. Describe freestyle movements and maneuvers using proper freestyle jargon.

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Level I Freestyle Accreditation: PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE:

Level I Freestyle Accreditation Professional Knowledge will be evaluated through the completion of the Level I Freestyle Accreditation Handbook as well as application of knowledge and skills throughout the two day event.

Terminology/Industry Trends/Movement Patterns:

    "A Level I Freestyle Specialist knowledgeable of and can..."
  1. Define and explain basic snowboard terminology and freestyle jargon.
  2. Describe and explain the Rider’s Responsibility Code and the "Smart Style Safety Initiative."
  3. Relate terminology and jargon to students in a way that is fun and easy to learn.
  4. Describe freestyle features and the different ways they can be used for freestyle riding.
  5. Describe basic to intermediate freestyle maneuvers.
  6. Use S.P.S. along with A.T.M.L. to explain the focus points for each part of freestyle maneuvers.
  7. Describe the industry trends in freestyle snowboarding; equipment, terrain, tricks, and education.

Equipment:

    "A Level I Freestyle Specialist knowledgeable of and can..."
  1. Identify the equipment needs of basic to intermediate freestyle riders.
  2. Describe the needs of freestyle riders at different stages of development.
  3. Understand the function of different types of boards, boots, and bindings and how they affect freestyle performance.
  4. Understand the purpose of different tuning and waxing and how it affects freestyle snowboarding.

Physics:

    "A Level I Freestyle Specialist knowledgeable of and can..."
  1. Define gravity, friction, centrifugal, and centripetal forces and how they relate to freestyle snowboarding.
  2. Define and explain the gravity – friction principle.
  3. Discuss basic physics relative to freestyle riding for children and adults.

Kinesiology/Biomechanics:

    "A Level I Freestyle Specialist knowledgeable of and can..."
  1. Be able to explain the purpose of the skeletal system, muscular system, nervous system and how they work.
  2. Understand the physical development of children and how it affects how they move in the freestyle environment.
  3. Understand biomechanics and how it relates to freestyle snowboarding.

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Level 2: Snowboard Freestyle Accreditation

Course Description:
The Level II Accreditation consists of three days of training. Each day requires on hill activities that are educational as well as interactive. The first two days takes a deep look into the field of freestyle education. Participants will need to be able to show their skills in freestyle arenas as well as an ability to teach to a broad type of age groups and learning styles. The third day of this course puts the candidates in the lead so that they can give real life coaching to other candidates and trainers. Understanding and application of skills must be shown in order to successfully complete the course. This is a pass or fail event.

Prerequisites:

  • AASI-W Level I Freestyle Accreditation or AASI Level II or III Certification
  • A willingness and ability to perform the required freestyle maneuvers
  • The completion of Level II Freestyle Accreditation Workbook

Level II Freestyle Accreditation: REQUIRED RIDING:

    "A Level II Freestyle Specialist is able to..."
  1. Execute safe, athletic and effective freestyle maneuvers on natural and man-made terrain features
  2. Maintain a balance and control while executing freestyle maneuvers on features in medium and large terrain arenas as described by the NSAA.
  3. Perform a wide variety of freestyle maneuvers on boxes/rails, jumps, half-pipes and other natural and manmade features.

Riding Tasks:

    May include, but are not limited to the following:
  1. Jump tabletops in both medium and large terrain parks executing a variety of maneuvers with a variety of different grabs.
  2. Demonstrate straight airs with a large variety of grabs
  3. Demonstrate three out of the four air 180s with a few different grabs over a tabletop.
  4. Demonstrate two of the four air 360s over a tabletop.
  5. Demonstrate one of the four air 540s over a tabletop.
  6. Demonstrate functional half-pipe riding in medium and/or large half-pipes while performing a wide variety of spins and grabs above the lip of the half-pipe.
  7. Demonstrate safe box/rail riding techniques while executing a number of maneuvers on a wide variety of man-made sliders.

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Level II Freestyle Accreditation: TEACHING/COACHING

Teaching Knowledge:

    "A Level II Freestyle Specialist is able to..."
  1. Identify the philosophy and principles of the Snowboard Teaching System (S.T.S.) as well as discuss how to use the system when teaching freestyle snowboarding, from intro to freestyle through advanced freestyle.
  2. Discuss how to integrate the Rider's Responsibility Code and Smart Style when teaching and training freestyle riders, beginner through advanced.
  3. Describe the use of A.T.M.L. while focusing on needed sensory contributions when teaching freestyle and how it can be adjusted to different styles of learners.
  4. Describe how to adapt to the needs of different students and how to identify learning styles, stages of development and the needs of different students.

Application of Teaching:

    "A Level II Freestyle Specialist is able to..."
  1. Teach from introduction to freestyle to advanced freestyle in terrain parks, half-pipes and natural terrain arenas.
  2. Demonstrate a working knowledge of the Teaching Concepts by effectively applying them to students, beginner through advanced, in and out of freestyle terrain arenas.
  3. Modify coaching activities to meet the needs of each student
  4. Present information in a manner appropriate to age at all riding levels.
  5. Demonstrate the ability to motivate different age groups in social situations.
  6. Show the ability to create freestyle progressions, from static to dynamic and easy to complex, for riders of all ability levels
  7. Use A.T.M.L. as a way to break down the phases of a freestyle maneuver.
  8. Integrate kinesthetic awareness into progressions with the use of S.P.S.
  9. Identify cause and effect relationships while educating in developmental and corrective teaching scenarios

Movement Analysis:

    "A Level II Freestyle Specialist is able to..."
  1. Describe how movement concepts affect board performance in all levels of freestyle snowboarding relative to the Riding Concepts.
  2. Determine the cause and effect relationships as related to each phase of a maneuver, A.T.M.L., and Movement and Performance Concepts.
  3. Describe movement applications and prioritize developmental needs for riders in terrain arenas in order to promote safe stylish riding
  4. Prepare movement-based developmental progressions to improve performance by focusing on exercises and tasks for freestyle riders of all levels.

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Level II Freestyle Accreditation: PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE:

Level II Freestyle Accreditation professional knowledge will be evaluated through the completion of the Level II Freestyle Accreditation Handbook as well as application of knowledge and skills throughout the three day event

Terminology/Industry Trends/Movement Patterns:

    "A Level II Freestyle Specialist knowledgeable of and can..."
  1. Describe freestyle movements and maneuvers using proper freestyle jargon.
  2. Describe and explain the Rider's Responsibility Code, the "Smart Style Safety Initiative" and park and pipe etiquette.
  3. Relate terminology and jargon to students in a way that is fun and easy to learn.
  4. Describe freestyle features and the different ways they can be used for freestyle riding.
  5. Use S.P.S. along with A.T.M.L. to explain the focus points for each part of freestyle maneuvers.
  6. Describe the industry trends in freestyle snowboarding; equipment, terrain, tricks, riders and education.
  7. Describe the components and give examples of guided discovery and problem solving teaching styles in freestyle teaching.
  8. Identify the use and importance of timing, intensity and duration concepts while riding terrain features and performing freestyle maneuvers.

Equipment:

    "A Level II Freestyle Specialist knowledgeable of and can..."
  1. Identify the equipment needs of all levels of freestyle riders.
  2. Describe the equipment of freestyle riders at different stages of development.
  3. Understand the function of different types of boards, boots, and bindings and how they affect freestyle performance.
  4. Understand the purpose of different tuning and waxing and how it affects freestyle snowboarding.
  5. Explain the different types of edge tuning and the uses and benefits of each.

Physics:

    "A Level II Freestyle Specialist knowledgeable of and can..."
  1. Discuss the interrelationship of gravity, friction, centrifugal, and centripetal forces and how these affect freestyle snowboarding.
  2. Define and explain the gravity - friction principle and how it affects freestyle snowboarders.
  3. Discuss physics relative to freestyle riding for children and adults.
  4. Describe how forces generated while snowboarding affect a rider in the half-pipe.
  5. Discuss how forces change when a rider leaves the ground in an aerial maneuver.

Kinesiology/Biomechanics:

    "A Level II Freestyle Specialist knowledgeable of and can..."
  1. Be able to explain the purpose of the skeletal system, muscular system, nervous system and how they work.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding in all areas of kinesiology and biomechanics as related to freestyle snowboarding.
  3. Understand the physical development of children and how it affects how they move in the freestyle environment as well as how it differs from adults.

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