CERTIFICATION STUDY GUIDE
Written By Jim Surges and Jeff Lewin
LEVEL 1
Why certification?
Considering the investment of time and money required for certification, why should you bother?
After all, the potential return on your financial investment is usually marginal, and the process
puts a certain amount of self-esteem on the line.
To begin with, consider the larger question of why AASI and PSIA exist. All fields of endeavor
have societies of one sort or another. Some act as educational bodies, publishing peer-
reviewed journals and holding conferences. Others act as certifying or licensing bodies,
allowing its members to work in the field. The public generally assumes that members of a
professional society have a basic level of knowledge about the field. Would you go to a doctor
who didn't have a license? How about an attorney who didn't pass the bar exam? Would you
enroll at a University that didn't hire Ph.D. faculty, or hire a construction company that didn't
have engineers with college degrees?
Consider the certification question this way: Except for the occasional billionaire dropout, you
need a degree to get ahead. Think of AASI certification the same way. You might succeed
without it, but Level I certification will show you're serious about teaching. Additional
certifications may or may not be in your future, but you will have taken your first decisive step.
Some countries actually require certification before a person is permitted to teach snowboarding
or skiing, or to own a school. Though certification has never been required to teach
snowboarding in the United States, many schools have policies that reward instructors for being
or becoming certified. Hiring certified instructors assures resorts and the public that they are
getting a well-trained, highly-qualified professional. This makes it a little easier to sell your
services.
In addition to the professional reasons for certification, consider the personal reasons. In
preparing for certification, you can train with some of the best instructors available. You can
read the latest literature on teaching, riding, and equipment. You can put all this knowledge to
work and deliver better lessons. And at the end of it all, you can be recognized by your peers
for your efforts.
Certification is well worth it -- professionally and personally. It can help you become a
sought-after employee, a respected teacher, and a better rider. Go for it.
What to expect
Certification standards
You will be scored in three areas: Teaching, riding, and professional knowledge. You
must pass all three areas to become Level I certified.
Teaching
The candidate will be able to apply elements of the Snowboard Teaching System as
outlined in the AASI Manual. Candidates should be familiar with learning concepts
(how we learn), Teaching concepts (creating an environment for learning), and
Service concepts (meeting the needs of the student). Candidates should be able to
teach a new rider to make basic skidded turns.
Riding
The candidate will demonstrate riding proficiency by demonstrating the following
maneuvers:
· Basic skidded turns
· Dynamic skidded turns
· Switch turns
· 180 spins
Basic and dynamic skidded turns will be smoothly linked in both directions. You
will also be scored on situational riding demonstrated during the teaching segments
(as the teacher and as a student while others teach). Situational riding may include
garlands, falling leafs, maneuvers with the rear foot unsecured, and other riding
appropriate for beginners. Free riding skills will be evaluated as well, but solid
riding skills at the low end of the Y Model - and the ability to demonstrate those
skills to new riders - are most valued for Level 1.
Professional Knowledge
The candidate will demonstrate a basic understanding of the following topics:
· Movement Concept - How body movements affect snowboarding
· Performance Concept - How board performance affects snowboarding
· Movement Analysis - Observing and describing body movements and board
performance
· Cause and Effect Relationships - The end result and what caused it
· Teaching and Learning Concepts - Knowledge of current educational theory
. Lesson Content - What you present and how you present it
· Equipment - General understanding of past and present technology and how
it affects new riders
Exam Format
The Level I certification process is unique in that it includes a fun day of education in addition to
the more typical scoring day. The following section describes what normally happens each day
of the Level I exam. Keep in mind that conditions may require your examiner to modify various
aspects of your exam.
Day one
Candidates will have varying levels of skill, knowledge, and teaching experience. The examiner
will devote the first day to reviewing what is expected from candidates on the second or scoring
day. Introductions usually start off the day followed a brief explanation of the days activities.
Much of the day will be spent with the examiner demonstrating various aspects of lesson plans.
While reviewing these plans with the examiner, you will have the opportunity to ask technical
questions, practice various maneuvers and receive feedback, and discuss how you will use
movement analysis to improve a student's experience. Your examiner will lead you through
discussions about professional knowledge, teaching methodology, and riding. Your examiner
will lead you through the riding maneuvers you will be scored on during day two, and will give
you feedback on your riding skills.
By the end of the first day, you should have a solid understanding about what is expected
from you to successfully complete the exam process.
Day two
Teaching
You will be asked to teach one portion of a new rider lesson. Typically, your teaching segment
will last from 15 to 20 minutes. For example, you may be asked to teach straight glide. Review
your AASI manual for examples of teaching models. Also, pay attention to your examiner's
teaching from the first day. Your examiner will score your overall conduct (professionalism),
your overall lesson plan, how well you communicate, how well you control the group, your risk
management skills (safety), and your ability to monitor and adjust your lesson based on the
students' progress. In addition, your examiner may demonstrate a maneuver poorly and ask
you for the proper correction. Your segment will usually end with a professional knowledge
question that will pertain to the segment you just taught.
Riding
You will perform various riding maneuvers, as described earlier, and be scored on your
performance. Your riding will also be judged while you're performing various maneuvers during
the teaching segments of your fellow candidates. Don't worry about having "one shot" at
performing a maneuver. Your examiner will explain that your riding is evaluated all day, not just
on a specific maneuver. You'll also have a chance to show off your free
riding skills. As mentioned earlier, you need solid riding skills at the lower end of the Y
model. High end riding is not required, but is a bonus.
Professional Knowledge
You will complete a closed-book written exam designed to evaluate your technical and
professional knowledge (70% to pass). Study your AASI manual, as well as other snowboard
related material. Your examiner will also observe you while you're teaching, and may ask you
questions before, during, or after your teaching segment. Your general participation during
group discussions throughout the two days will also be considered. Remember to monitor the
performance of your fellow candidates during your teaching segment, and offer corrections as
needed. This movement analysis will be part of your professional knowledge score.
EXAM SCHEDULE
DAY ONE
8:00 am.......REGISTRATION AT HOST RESORT
9:00 am.......GENERAL MEETING
9:30 am.......INTRODUCTIONS
10:00 am.....MORNING CLINIC SESSION ON SNOW
12:00 pm.....Lunch
12:45 pm.....AFTERNOON CLINIC SESSION ON SNOW
4:00 pm.......ON YOUR OWN
DAY TWO
8:00 am..........WRITTEN EXAM
9:00 am..........MORNING SESSION ON SNOW
12:00 pm........Lunch
12:45 pm........AFTERNOON SESSION
3:30 pm...........RESULTS HANDED OUT
How to prepare
People prepare for exams in many different ways. You are encouraged to explore all available
resources and decide which methods work best for your learning style. There is no "right" way to
prepare.
Ride.
On-snow training is a critical part of your preparation. Sign up for an AASI prep clinic.
Take advantage of training opportunities at your home area and other nearby areas. Seek out
formal and informal exam preparation groups. If possible, ride the area where you plan to take
the exam so that you are familiar with terrain choices and the lift system.
Read.
Get the AASI STS manual. The companion video can help you visualize concepts
introduced in the manual. Read articles in AASI's national publication, The Professional Rider,
and in Central Division's newsletter, The Central Line. Also check the organizations' web sites
for more information. Read books about the history of snowboarding. Learn about anatomy,
physics, biomechanics, physiology, kinesiology, mental training, and teaching. You don't need
to know everything about snowboarding; just find the aspects of snowboarding that appeal to
you, and use them as a springboard for your learning.
Watch.
In addition to the AASI video, there are tons of great videos about snowboarding.
Look at riders, and look at tracks. Try to understand HOW what you see was done. (Then
go try to do it yourself)
Talk.
Get a study group together. Talk with an examiner. Schedule a training day or evening.
Even telephone conversations can help clarify concepts and generate teaching ideas.
Teach.
Get lots of practice teaching beginners. Shadow experienced instructors while
they teach beginner lessons.
Again, remember to find a method of preparation that fits your learning style. The road to
certification is more important than the destination. The learning you will do in preparation for
the exam is by far the most beneficial part of the entire exam process. With proper preparation,
you will be relaxed and confident during the exam. You might even enjoy the experience!
If you have any questions, contact the Central Division office.
Study Questions
The following questions are not meant to be a comprehensive list of exam topics. Rather, they
should help you understand what type of questions might be asked on the written exam and
suggest some topics you should probably understand.
1. What do AASI, STS, ATS, and PSIA stand for?
2. What is the relationship between PSIA and AASI?
3. What are the three core values of snowboard instruction?
4. What are the seven points of Your Responsibility Code?
5. How do you present the Responsibility Code to your clients?
6. Describe the Y-model.
7. What are the parts of a turn?
8. What are the elements of the Movement Concept?
9. What are the elements of the Performance Concept?
10. How are the Movement Concept and the Performance Concept related?
11. What are the various elements of stance?
12. What are the purposes of bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons?
13. Define sliding, slipping, and skidding.
14. Define inclination and angulation.
15. List several learning styles.
16. List several teaching styles.
17. What are the parts of a lesson? What happens during each part?
18. List the pros and cons for different types of snowboards, bindings, and boots.
19. How do snow conditions affect your lesson plans?
20. How does equipment affect your teaching?
21. What is the difference between an exercise and a progression?
22. What are two types of motivation?
23. What is the fall-line? How do you organize and move your class in relation to it?
24. List some ways you can minimize the risk of injury to your students.
25. How can a good lesson summary help sell additional lessons?
26. Create three lesson plans for teaching flexing/extending movements.
27. Create three lesson plans for teaching rotary movements.
28. Create three lesson plans for teaching skidded turns.
29. What are the Reference Alignments? Why use them?
30. How can you tell if a rider's weight is forward or backward on the board?
31. How does child development affect riding?
32. How can you use turn shape to control speed?
33. List five words that describe flexing/extending movements.
34. List five words that describe rotary movements.
35. Describe three freestyle tricks you teach beginning riders. How do they help?
36. How do you share your enthusiasm for snowboarding with your clients?
2000 PSIA -Central Division