over 200 people in various stages of the certification process ; approximately 100 are IPTPA certified . We have a failure rate of 7.5 %. This is identified as an individual who did not pass one of the three tests required and was asked to retake the exam at a later date , after more study , practice , or teaching experience . For some , that process has turned into months of additional work ; for others , they recognize that IPTPA certification isn ’ t for them while some are able to go through the entire process over a weekend .
In April 2017 , we will be celebrating our first full year in operation . We ’ ll kick off our second year by introducing the first of many content-driven programs for our membership . The 1st IPTPA World Congress is scheduled as an all-day workshop to be held April 21 , 2017 , in Naples , Florida , in conjunction with the 2017 U . S . Open Pickleball Championships .
In order to maintain member status as a certified teaching professional , it is required that each member continue their education by earning 2 CEUs ( continuing education units ) per year . This process will be emphasized and enforced in year two . IPTPA will be offering extensive full-day workshops such as the one being offered on April 21 ( which will fulfill your 2 CEU requirement ) as well as monthly webinars and online video tutorials . Members may also write articles , create videos and tip sheets for submission to IPTPA . If they are deemed worthy and published , members will earn CEU credit . In this way , a twoway level of communication is encouraged so that members and management are working together to fulfill our mission :
IPTPA will be the world ’ s leading organization of Certified Pickleball Teaching Professionals , viewed and highly respected as an organization of knowledgeable experts and industry innovators . IPTPA will deliver an ongoing program of workshops , seminars and other learning experiences to continually raise the quality of each of our members . Our intent is to raise the standards of Pickleball excellence on a worldwide basis and to work in conjunction with the USAPA to help grow the sport of Pickleball .
I ’ m often asked by prospective IPTPA members if they need to be a 5.0 or 4.5 player to get certified . Let me be very clear here – you do not need to be a 5.0 or 4.5 player to get certified .
Prior to my involvement in pickleball , I traveled the world putting on peak performance workshops for major university athletic teams . Often my programs were geared to the athletes who were vying for national or international championships , but just as often I presented to the coaches within the athletic department . It ’ s been my experience that the best coaches were not the best players . In most cases , the best coaches were good players , but they needed to train and work harder than their “ more gifted ” teammates . They broke down film , studied the basics , trained harder and longer and asked questions of the experts in their sport . They immersed themselves in their sport and became experts in their chosen field . It was that dedication to excellence , training , film study and all the other ancillary aspects required in their sport that not only helped them to be very good players but assisted them in their future coaching careers .
A significant percentage of our membership is made up of the best players in the world . Getting to the top in any sport or profession requires a very SELFISH attitude : it ’ s all about me and what I need to do to achieve MY goals . You need to have tunnel vision , a plan on what to work on , what tournaments to attend , and a coach , partner or team to help in the execution of that plan .
One of the most important traits of a good coach is the recognition from the start that this is a SELFLESS profession : it ’ s not about me , it ’ s about my students . You need to feel genuine satisfaction in helping your students achieve THEIR goals . All of your planning , study and self-improvement should be directed to helping your students . How can I organize my lessons and clinics more effectively ? What additional drills or suggestions can I learn to aid my students in learning the third shot drop ? What are the most effective training tools other IPTPA members use while teaching ? What can I do to motivate , recognize problem areas and , most importantly , correct the problems I identify with each of my students ?
Many of our members are actively training for competitions while filling in their free time with lessons and clinics . Turning the switch from the selfish player to the selfless teacher / coach is a difficult transition for many . Recognition , sharing , discussing , proposing solutions , and executing on those solutions is what IPTPA will be emphasizing as we develop content for our member programs .
As we approach 2017 , I want to emphasize to our membership what I stated at our very first meeting . Certification is simply the first step in what I hope each of you recognize as part of your life journey and commitment to teaching excellence . Members need to dedicate themselves each and every day to trying to become a better and more effective teaching professional . IPTPA will do its part in assisting each member , but it will require the efforts of both management and membership to reach our agreed-upon objectives .
IPTPA members , visit our website and sign up for our 1st IPTPA World Congress where our committee has put together a terrific day / evening of activities guaranteed to improve your teaching skills . Prospective members should visit our website for the requirements necessary for certification or to just learn more about IPTPA .
Finally , make a habit of visiting our Facebook page and website for additional content and updates . Best always , Rif •
DECEMBER 2016 | MAGAZINE 61