Professional

Organizations

It is important for a coach to stay abreast of developments in their field.  Summer camps, which feature coaches' workshops, are a great source of information and training. Another source of information is the professional organization.  Although it is not mandatory for a coach to belong to a professional organization, there certainly are advantages. There are national organizations such as the National Federation of High Schools and the Dance/Driill Team Directors of America. Generally, in each state there is a state coach's association.   In Missouri, this organization is MDTA.  If the member is a varsity coach, his/her team is eligible to participate in the MDTA's Missouri State Competition. Teams coached by non-members are not eligible.

In Missouri, a dance coach is indirectly a member of another organization.  It is MSHSAA;  this association governs member schools' athletic and other interscholastic teams.  The school is required to registered any team which participates in an event involving other register schools (MSHSAA.)

MDTA Missouri Dance Team Association
Website: www.modta.org
Applications are sent in August or you may  down-load one from our website.  The MDTA membership fee is $20 a year, which includes the email network,  newsletters, and qualifies your varsity team to compete at State. 

NFHS   National Federation of High Schools - Spirit Division 

This is the organization that formulates the safety rules and regulations for all activities including  Dance Teams.  If you choose to join the NFHS,  be sure to join the Spirit Division.  See your Athletic Director for an application. The NFHS membership fee is $30. which includes $1,000,000. Liability Insurance. 

MSHSAA requires the Head Director of each dance team and highly recommends that  all others attend the annual Dance Team Rules Meeting held in August or if your team only dances during the basketball season, in October.  They also require that all directors attend a MSHSAA First Aid class as a prerequisite to the head coaching position. Assistants have one year to complete the course.

An individual hired to be a school dance team coach but does not possess a valid professional teaching certificate  must satisfactorily complete a MSHSAA approved coaches education program. This is a prerequisite for approval to servce as a school dance team coach at any level at any MSHSAA member school in a subsequent school year. The individual has one year to complete this requirement.

See your AD for information on the times/locations of the First Aid and Coaching education programs.   

Put in your coach's bag:

*Medical release forms

*Emergency Procedure Sheet

*Emergency contact numbers

*Team phone numbers

*Attendance Records

 

*A good First Aid Kit should be checked and restocked periodically and should always contain the following items:

Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes Sterile gauze pads in assorted sizes Hypoallergenic adhesive tape Scissors Tweezers Needle Ace bandage Moistened towelettes Antiseptic Thermometer Tongue blades Splints in assorted sizes Petroleum jelly Assorted sizes of safety pins Anti-bacterial soap Antibiotic ointment Latex gloves and face mask Sunscreen Ice Pack or plastic bags cotton swabs elastic bandage Do not have any pain reliever medications in your first aid bag.  You can not provide any type of over the counter medication to a minor, even with written authorization from a parent/guardian.  If you carry a team member's inhaler, make sure she/he clearly marks it with her/his name.  You do not want one team member using an inhaler which contains the worng medication.