Oregon School Activities Association
2024-25 OSAA Spirit Safety
STAFF CONTACT: Kelly Foster, Assistant Executive Director, 503.682.6722 x233, kellyf@osaa.org
Cheerleading and Dance/Drill Coach Training Requirements
By OSAA rule, all Cheerleading and Dance/Drill coaches must be certified in the following courses prior to assuming coaching duties. » AD and Coach Requirements & FAQs| Interscholastic Coaching Course | One-time requirement |
| Concussion in Sports | Annual - required every year |
| Heat Illness Prevention | Quadrennial - required every 4 years |
| Appearance and Performance Enhancing Drugs and Substances Training |
Quadrennial - required every 4 years |
| Spirit Safety | Annual - required every year |
| Interrupting and Preventing Discriminatory Acts Training |
One-time requirement |
All Requirements Must Be Met Prior to Assuming Coaching Duties
Once the OSAA association year begins, all Cheerleading and Dance/Drill coaches must obtain all required certifications including OSAA Spirit Safety Certification before assuming coaching duties.
For 2024-25
The first day of the 2024-25 Association Year is Monday, August 19, 2024. OSAA Spirit Safety Certifications for 2024-25 expire on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 - the end of the Association Year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When must a coach be certified?
A. All coaches must be certified prior to assuming coaching duties unless an emergency exception is authorized in writing by the OSAA. This includes cheerleading coaches, dance/drill coaches, and choreographers at schools that do not participate in competitions.
Q. Is certification required of volunteer coaches?
A. Yes.
Q. Must a "guest" coach be certified?
A. No, but if the coach has contact with students more than three times in a sport season, the coach shall no longer be considered a "guest" and must be certified. A non-certified "guest" coach may not serve as a coach at a contest. Coaches may not use this provision to circumvent the training requirements; i.e., a regular coach does not get a three-day grace period to interact with participants prior to being wholly certified.
Q. Can our team practice or attend a camp over the summer?
A. Yes; however, summer activities cannot be mandated.
Q. May a coach require participation on a non-school team including summer teams or use participation on a non-school team as a factor in selecting members of a school team or allowing full participation in team activities?
A. No to both questions. Participation on a non-school team is a personal choice of the student and their parents, and may not be required or even considered when selecting school team members or allowing full participation in team activities.
Q. May a coach require participation in out-of-season or summer workouts as a factor in selecting members of a school team or allowing full participation in team activities?
A. No.
A. All coaches must be certified prior to assuming coaching duties unless an emergency exception is authorized in writing by the OSAA. This includes cheerleading coaches, dance/drill coaches, and choreographers at schools that do not participate in competitions.
Q. Is certification required of volunteer coaches?
A. Yes.
Q. Must a "guest" coach be certified?
A. No, but if the coach has contact with students more than three times in a sport season, the coach shall no longer be considered a "guest" and must be certified. A non-certified "guest" coach may not serve as a coach at a contest. Coaches may not use this provision to circumvent the training requirements; i.e., a regular coach does not get a three-day grace period to interact with participants prior to being wholly certified.
Q. Can our team practice or attend a camp over the summer?
A. Yes; however, summer activities cannot be mandated.
Q. May a coach require participation on a non-school team including summer teams or use participation on a non-school team as a factor in selecting members of a school team or allowing full participation in team activities?
A. No to both questions. Participation on a non-school team is a personal choice of the student and their parents, and may not be required or even considered when selecting school team members or allowing full participation in team activities.
Q. May a coach require participation in out-of-season or summer workouts as a factor in selecting members of a school team or allowing full participation in team activities?
A. No.
