The USPA Coach Rating Course is the first step in the USPA instructional rating progression. Designed for experienced skydivers ready to begin teaching, the course develops foundational instructional skills through classroom learning, practical exercises, and evaluated teaching and coaching activities.
The Coach Rating Course develops the instructional, practical, and safety skills required to train student skydivers. Course activities include:
- Instructional techniques: Lesson planning, effective communication, whole-part-whole teaching, guided practice, and evaluating student learning.
- Ground training: Teaching Category G knowledge and skills, including formation skydiving fundamentals and emergency-procedure review.
- Student supervision: Equipment checks, pre-jump preparation, aircraft procedures, exit planning, canopy-flight planning, and post-jump debriefing.
- Freefall coaching: Demonstrating appropriate positioning, observation, communication, separation, and breakoff procedures.
- Practical evaluations: Ground-training scenarios, student-supervision assessments, and two successful Category G evaluation jumps.
- Professional responsibilities: Safety, sound judgment, instructional standards, and the responsibilities and limitations of the USPA Coach rating.
Reference: IRM Chapters 1–5, 7–8 and Appendix A.
Pre-Course Requirements
Candidates must meet the following requirements before beginning the USPA Coach Rating Course:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Hold current USPA membership.
- Hold a USPA B license or higher.
- Have completed at least 100 skydives.
- Complete the required pre-course activities documented on the USPA Coach Proficiency Card.
- Assist with a first-jump course under the direct supervision of an appropriately rated USPA Instructor.
- Complete the required USPA pre-course examination.
During the Course
Candidates must successfully complete the following requirements to earn the USPA Coach rating:
- Teach two sessions from the general portions of the first-jump course, including one covering emergency procedures.
- Successfully complete two Category G ground-training evaluations, scoring at least 75% on each, with no automatic unsatisfactory result.
- Successfully complete two Category G air evaluations, scoring at least 75% on each, with no automatic unsatisfactory result.
- Pass the associated student-supervision evaluations, including equipment checks, jump preparation, aircraft procedures, canopy supervision, and debriefing.
- Demonstrate sound judgment, safety awareness, and integrity throughout the course.
*Reference: USPA Instructor Rating Manual (2026), Chapter 8.*
