Coaching Principles is the flagship course of the American Sport Education Program (ASEP). Drawing from the text Successful Coaching, written by ASEP founder Rainer Martens, Coaching Principles provides coaches with essential instruction on the principles of coaching, behavior, teaching, physical training, and management. Coaching Principles features sections on coaching for character, coaching diverse athletes, managing problem behaviors in athletes, battling drugs use in sports, and teaching the games approach to coaching. Coaching Principles provides the underpinnings of being a successful coach—beyond the Xs and Os.

Through this course, you are challenged to do the following:

• Identify your coaching philosophy, objectives, and style; coach for character and coach diverse athletes (units 1 to 5).
  
• Communicate with and motivate your athletes, and manage their behavior (units 6 to 8).
  
• Coach using the games approach, and teach technical and tactical skills (units 9 to 12)
  
• Train your athletes for energy and muscular fitness, fuel your athletes, and battle drug use (units 13 to 17).
  
• Manage your team, relationships, and risk (units 18 to 20).

MSU Coaching Principles earns coaches 4.0 CEUs from MSU and the Michigan State Board of Education. In order for you to be awarded the CEUs, you must verify that you expended a minimum of 40 hours (which includes required reading) to complete the course.

In awarding CEUs, MSU follows CEU guidelines developed by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). Given that each state board has different requirements for teacher licensure, certification, and CEU courses, we encourage you to check with your district or state Department of Education to ensure CEUs from MSU and the Michigan State Board of Education are accepted by your organization.