I've never coached — is this for me?+
It was built for you. The whole course assumes you're a first-time parent or volunteer coach who said yes and then panicked. We start at the very beginning and give you a plan for Tuesday.
Nobody's making me do this. Why bother?+
Coach Teddy's answer, straight: "The more I work with kids, the more I realize the coaching they're getting is not usually very good. And the kids that get no coaching are sometimes better off than the kids who get the really bad coaching." Your league checked your background and handed you a schedule. Nobody checked whether you know what to run on Tuesday. This is the part nobody makes you do — which is exactly why it's worth something when you've done it.
Is it really worth the money?+
One private lesson in most cities costs more than this whole certification. Comparable coaching credentials run $200–$500. And you're not buying six hours of video — you're buying the printed practice plan you walk in holding on Tuesday, plus a badge a parent can check. Coach Teddy: "The reason you felt unprepared or nervous is probably because you were unprepared. That's something to be nervous about. We're going to prepare you."
What do the parents on my team get out of it?+
A way to answer the question every parent is quietly asking — is my kid's coach ready? Your certificate carries a QR code, and your
directory profile is public: any parent can check in five seconds that you passed a written exam, filmed a real practice that a reviewer scored, and hold a current background check, abuse-prevention training and CPR. Most volunteer coaches have nothing to show. You'll have a page.
How long does it take?+
Six hours of lessons — that's the seven modules added up, not a guess — at your pace, phone-friendly, plus the exam and the road test. Most coaches move through a module or two per sitting and are certified in a couple of weeks.
What if I fail the road test?+
You get specific written coaching and one free resubmission. Most coaches pass the second time — the feedback tells you exactly what to fix.
Is this an official license?+
No — and we'll always be straight with you about that. This is a private TDBA methodology certification. There is no government license for youth basketball coaching. What we do verify is real: your background check, your abuse-prevention training, and your CPR — from trusted third parties — plus a written exam and an on-court road test scored by a real reviewer. We never claim or imply state licensing, school-district approval, or endorsement by USA Basketball, the NFHS, or the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
What about background checks?+
We verify yours from trusted third parties (background check, abuse-prevention certificate, current CPR) and badge your profile "Safety Cleared." We never sell or run our own — we point you to the real providers and confirm your dates.
Do veterans and trainers get anything?+
Yes — Level 2 (TDBA Advanced Coach) goes deeper on the Plan-to-Win offense, the 4-second shot clock, press & press break, and the full defense system. Level 1 is the prerequisite.
Does my own kid benefit?+
That's the whole point. You'll run the 5·4·3·2·WIN Challenge, the Shooting League, and the $5 Camp with your team — the same ecosystem thousands of kids are already climbing.
What does renewal buy me?+
$59/year keeps your directory listing live, your safety credentials monitored with expiry reminders, your badge licensed, member pricing on everything else TDBA sells, and one new Coach Teddy refresher module each year.
