Core Competencies

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Operationally define what a sports behavior coach is in layman terms

  • Identify effective behavior analytic coaching methods that have been used in their sport of interest

  • Successfully create behavior analytic versions of assessments and surveys used in sports psychology

  • Create a sport specific training plan identifying targets and goals

  • Visually display behavioral coaching competencies through recorded segments of a training session (for Sports Certificate seekers)

  • Successfully pass 20 question written quiz (for Sports Certificate seekers only)

Course Curriculum

Take your game to the next level

  • Week 1: Assessments

    We warm-up by approaching assessments from a skill, psychological, and behavioral perspective. Students will be introduced to many assessment tools for their arsenal.

  • Week 2: Focused Practice

    Practice is the most important method in preparing athletes and teams; however, efficiency is underutilized by many coaches due to a lack of specificity and focus within their practice routine. Students will gain a new perspective on how to maximize practice through the seven dimensions of applied behavior analysis.

  • Week 3: In Game/Post Game Analysis

    We have gathered all of the statistics, but how do we make adjustments during competition and how do we correct the mistakes our athletes made after we reviewed the film? Students will learn how to examine game statistics with their own pinpointed behaviors to unravel trends based on existing conditions and variables in competition.

  • Week 4: Ethical Considerations of Practice within Sports Coaching & Introduction to Sports OBM

    First, a lively discussion on ethical sports coaching practices and how it looks for the ABA professional; then, we end with an introduction to how OBM works in sports at the highest level, while examining peer reviewed research that is applicable to those stakeholders.

  • Week 5: Sports Psychology meets Sports Behavior Analysis Guest Speaker Dr. Kristi Hall

    The perfect marriage within sports performance is multi-disciplinary collaboration. Dr. Kristi Hall, Director of Sports Psychology at the University of Maryland, will address students on her day-to-day operations and pass along her knowledge of ACT and other treatment packages as the leading performance expert at the major D1 program.

  • Week 6: Sports Behavior Analysis From a World Champion Trainer Guest Speaker Paul "Paulie" Gavoni, Ed.D, BCBA

    An expert in coaching and organizational leadership, Dr. Paul "Paulie Gloves" Gavoni is a professional striking coach in mixed martial arts who has coached world champions. The accomplished author, educator, and behavior analyst will further elaborate on behavior coaching methodologies from his vast knowledge of behavior science and OBM.

Meet Your Instructor & Guest Speakers

Learning from the field's best

Kirk Kirby, M.A., CSPC, USABBC

Managing Director of Precision Sports & Co-Founder, TeamABA

It has been the mission of Kirk Kirby to incorporate the science of human behavior and precision teaching to help change the world. As the co-founder of TeamABA, Kirk has brought that mission to the forefront by creating one of the most unique companies in the world. Kirk holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Virginia Union University, a Master of Arts in English from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a graduate certificate in sports psychology and performance from Ashworth College. He is currently seeking a Psy.D. focusing on sports and performance psychology from Ashford University. The proud native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, started his career in behavior analysis over a decade ago by co-founding the Washington, DC, metropolitan area-based SPARKS-ABA along with his wife, Beverly Kirby, BCBA, LBA, and Soraya Dos Santos, BCBA, LBA. After his collegiate and "cup of coffee" professional playing days were completed, Kirk continued to be involved in sports by coaching various levels of athletes in football, basketball, and baseball for nearly twenty-seven years. His passion for sports, behavior analysis, precision teaching, diversity within the field, and ABA program opportunities for historically black colleges and universities has driven the entrepreneur to travel all over the country disseminating the science to all that will listen.

Dr. Paul "Paulie" Gavoni, Ph.D., BCBA

Author, Educator, Decorated MMA Striking Coach

An expert in coaching and organizational leadership, Dr. Paul "Paulie" Gavoni is a behavior scientist who has worked in education, human services, and sports for over two decades. In this capacity, he served the needs of children and adults in a variety of positions, including COO, Vice President, Director of School Improvement, Leadership Director, Professor, Assistant Principal, School Turnaround Manager, Clinical Coordinator, Therapist, Trainer, Coach, and Behavior Analyst. As COO at Brett DiNovi International, Dr. Gavoni is passionate about applying Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) strategies to help establish positive and engaging environments across industries to bring out the best in people. He is a board member of the Opioid Awareness Foundation and The World Behavior Analysis Day Alliance. Beyond his work in education and human services, Dr. Gavoni is also a former fighter and highly respected striking coach in combat sports. Coach "Paulie Gloves," as he is known in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) community, has trained world champions and UFC vets using technologies rooted in the behavioral sciences. Coach Paulie has been featured in the books Beast: Blood, Struggle, and Dreams at the Heart of Mixed Martial Arts, A Fighter’s Way, and the feature article Ring to Cage: How four former boxers help mold MMA’s finest. He is also an author who has written extensively for online magazines such as Bloody Elbow, Scifighting, Last Word on Sports, and Bloody Elbow where his Fight Science series continues to bring behavior science to MMA.

Dr. Kristi Hall, Psy.D.

Clinical Psychologist & Director of Sports Psychology, University of Maryland-College Park

Dr. Hall, the current Director of Sports Psychology at the University of Maryland, is experienced in psychology with a demonstrated history of working in the health, wellness, and fitness industries. Dr. Hall is skilled in neuropsychological and forensic assessment, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), group therapy, and individual therapy. Strong education with a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) focused in Clinical Psychology (Health and Neuropsychology) from the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy/Washington, DC. Dr. Hall is a strong advocate for a holistic, proactive approach to wellness. Thus, she is also able to assist individuals who want to focus on lifestyle issues, including weight loss, stress management, and fitness. Dr. Hall's  approach to therapy is informed by acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and motivational interviewing. As an occasional adjunct professor and perpetual student of learning, Dr. Hall remains well-informed of the evidence-based practices in all areas of interest.

Course Details

You have questions, TeamABA University has the answers

  • The course is 6 consecutive weeks, starting Thursday, January 19, 2023, and ending Thursday, February 23, 2023.

  • Live lectures on the course material will be held every Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. EST. Lectures will be recorded for view at anytime in the student portal. There is no requirement to attend the live lectures.

  • There will be 15 total BACB© CEUs: (2) supervision, (1.5) ethics, and (11.5) learning, upon completion of the course without final competency testing.

  • Students will have the option of completing the full course certificate requirements by: (1) demonstrating core competency through supervisor observation and (2) successfully passing a 20-question exam. There is no requirement to seek the TeamABA Sports Coaching Certificate. Upon navigating the course and turning in weekly exercises, students will receive the CEU Certificate.

  • There are two options to register for the course: (1) Early Bird Registration is $499.00; (2) An installment plan of 2 payments of $299.50 with the final installment due by January 15, 2023. Early Bird Registration ends December 19, 2022, or at the maximum capacity of 20 students. Regular Price and Installment plan price is $599.00

  • Full refunds are available from the time of registration to the end of the first week of class, Wednesday, January 25, 2023.

  • The first 10 registrants will receive an official TeamABA Performance Coaching Shirt (illustrated below).

Register Today Early Bird Registration Ends December 19th

First 10 Registered Students Receive a TeamABA Performance Coaching Shirt

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Pricing options

Two convenient options for registration