CIC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CIC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. An athlete's parents sign a permission slip that includes a liability waiver for a team trip. This waiver: → Does not eliminate the coach's duty of care and may not be fully enforceable in court
2. A student repeats ninth grade due to academic failure and enters tenth grade a year late. How does this typically affect their eligibility clock? → The eligibility clock continues to run; the student has already used two semesters
3. Which of the following is an example of an open kinetic chain exercise? → Leg extension
4. An effective end-of-season meeting with assistant coaches should include: → Review of goals, program strengths and weaknesses, and planning for the next season
5. A coach wants to reduce pre-game anxiety in a nervous athlete. Which intervention is MOST evidence-based? → Progressive muscle relaxation and controlled breathing
6. Which of the following best exemplifies a coach modeling ethical sportsmanship after a loss? → Graciously congratulating the winning team and identifying lessons learned
7. Which best describes a 'trap' or 'double-team' defensive tactic? → Two defenders converging simultaneously on the ball handler to force a turnover
8. How should a coach handle conflicts of interest? → Disclose and avoid conflicts
9. Which of the following is a sign of a healthy coach-parent relationship in an interscholastic program? → Parents focus feedback on team experience rather than individual playing time
10. Which periodization model divides training into distinct macrocycle, mesocycle, and microcycle blocks? → Linear (traditional) periodization
11. In the context of CIC certification, what is the most important consideration when implementing sports psychology & motivation? → Ensuring alignment with established standards, stakeholder needs, and best practices
12. A coach wants to motivate athletes through fear of punishment and public humiliation. This approach most directly conflicts with which ethical principle? → Athlete dignity and respect
13. The concept of 'choking under pressure' is best explained by which psychological mechanism? → Distraction theories suggest attention shifts to task-irrelevant cues
14. An athlete has a vertical jump of 24 inches at the start of the season and 28 inches at the end. What percentage improvement did they achieve? → 16.7%
15. When delivering constructive criticism, coaches should focus primarily on: → Specific behaviors and actions that can be changed
16. In interscholastic athletics, what is a 'flagrant foul' typically defined as? → A foul involving excessive or violent contact that endangers a player's safety
17. What is the importance of maintaining confidentiality? → Protect athlete privacy
18. During weight training, an athlete performs maximum lifts without a spotter. This practice primarily violates which safety principle? → Supervision and spotting requirements for resistance training
19. Which of the following is a PRIMARY responsibility of an interscholastic coach regarding program records? → Maintaining accurate eligibility and participation records
20. Which environmental condition most significantly increases the risk of exertional heat stroke in athletes? → High humidity combined with high temperature
21. A proper equipment check-out system benefits a coaching program primarily by: → Establishing accountability and tracking the location and condition of all equipment
22. A high-pressure full-court or full-field defensive strategy is most effective when the opponent's team has: → A slow or inexperienced backcourt and poor decision-making under pressure
23. A wrestler attempting to lose weight rapidly through severe fluid restriction is at greatest risk for: → Heat illness and impaired cognitive function
24. When coaching the deadlift to a high school athlete, which cue BEST promotes a safe lumbar spine position? → Maintain a neutral spine with chest tall and hips hinged
25. What is the primary energy system used during a 400-meter race? → Glycolytic (lactic acid)
26. Which type of muscle action produces the greatest force output and causes the most muscle damage? → Eccentric
27. What physiological adaptation primarily explains strength gains during the first 4–6 weeks of resistance training in untrained youth athletes? → Neural adaptations
28. A CIC coach can BEST reduce legal liability by: → Documenting all safety inspections, injury incidents, and communications in writing
29. When purchasing new athletic equipment, which consideration should be the coach's highest priority? → Meeting applicable safety standards and proper fit for athletes
30. What is the recommended practice regarding equipment storage rooms where athletes regularly access their gear? → They should be organized and supervised to prevent theft and unsafe conditions