Athletics Coach

Course Name: Athletics Coach
Environment: On-Track
Age Requirement: 18
Course Duration: 4 days + online 2-hour Safeguarding virtual classroom (two days for Day 1 & 2, event group elective online modules and an assessment day)
Assessment: Practical assessment, Planning for Athlete Development and online knowledge test
Pre-requisites: Coaching Assistant, UKA Level 1, Athletics Coach, valid Disclosure check
Once qualified will I require supervision: No
Looking ahead what’s next: Additional Athletics Coach Technical & Assessment Day (for example, if a coach opted for Athletics Coach Jumps, they may chose to re enter the pathway at Athletics Coach Technical and Assessment Day Throws), CPD Events, Event Group Modules
Alternatives: CiRF (Coach in Running Fitness) – if you wish to coach purely in an off-track environment
Lunch: Not included. (We cannot guarantee that all venues have refreshment facilities so please bring lunch and a drink with you).

Overview

This qualification is the cornerstone of the On-Track qualifications pathway. The course consists of 4 face to face contact days, which includes a practical assessment. The course also includes an online Knowledge Test. Candidates will be able to plan a progressive training programme for athletes coaching a range of activities to prepare the developing athlete to run, jump and throw. When qualified you will be insured to coach without supervision.

Day 1 & 2 of the course will cover the generic content of running, jumping and throwing. Candidates can then select an event technical day 3 & 4 option including Endurance, Throws, Jumps and Speed. This can be booked once you have secured your place on the Day 1 & 2 course.

Candidates must engage in tasks and activities throughout the course and demonstrate improvement following any discussions with course staff. Candidates not engaging within all aspects of the course are at risk of not gaining the qualification at the end of the process.

What is the role of an athletics coach?

Athletics Coaches have many different roles.

To identify, plan for and continually evaluate the development needs of athletes.
To supervise Coaching Assistants or Leaders in the delivery of whole sessions or part of sessions.
To manage the safety and welfare of those under your supervision.
When qualified and licensed, the Athletics Coach ideally will be operating in a team environment with a range of Coaching Assistants and other coaches in the planning and delivery of these programmes.

British Athletics and the Home Country Athletics Associations promote a culture of coaching co-operation and collaboration by providing further opportunities for formal learning and coach development. The Athletics Coach programme is a formal step towards becoming licensed as a Coach, however, this is only the first step of the coach development journey.

Am I the right person for the course?

Coaches must be 18 or over to embark on the Athletics’ Coach programme. The programme is for those working with all athletes but with a focus on those in the Foundation to Event Group Development stages. Ideally all applicants should be actively involved with groups and have access to foundation stage athletes a minimum of twice a week for a period of at least eight consecutive weeks.

Candidates should have a minimum of a new Coaching Assistant award or an old UKA Level 1 award. It is strongly recommended that coaches have three months minimum practical experience of coaching after the completion of the award before commencing on the AC programme. Candidates may progress quicker, at their own discretion, however insufficient coaching experience may have an impact in successfully completing the assessed elements of the programme.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

The Equality Act 2010 defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative affect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities and we are committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity and inclusion within our sport. To ensure the coach qualification process provides equality and fairness it is important that:

We understand the nature of candidates’ disability, so the course tutor is aware and can make reasonable adjustments ahead of the course being undertake
We support candidates with early interventions where candidates may not be engaging within the course.

Disclosure check & UKA Safeguarding training:

For a coach license to be processed, coaches are required to complete a UKA Safeguarding webinar & online modules and have a current disclosure check in place. Checks are not transferable between sports and other organisations therefore UKA must have a new check made. For details on how to arrange a Disclosure check within your Home Country, please click here.

Course Structure

Days 1 & 2 – Generic content:

Physical Preparation
Running for Speed
Running over Obstacles
Running for Endurance
Jumping for Distance
Jumping for Height
Push Throw
Pull Throw
Coaching Process

Following the first 2 course days, you will be required to attend an online 2-hour Safeguarding virtual classroom. You will receive further details when you book the course.

Day 3 – Event Group Technical Content

Coaches can choose one of the following:

Speed – including Starts, Acceleration, Maximum Velocity, Hurdles, Relay and Wheelchair racing
Throws – including all 4 Throws (Shot, Discus, Javelin, Hammer and Seated Throw)
Jumps – including all 4 Jumps (Long, Triple, High and Pole Vault)
Endurance – including Walks, Steeplechase, Middle Distance and Wheelchair Racing

Day 4 – Observed Practical Assessment

What topics are covered?

Physical Preparation
Running for Speed
Running over Obstacles
Running for Endurance
Jumping for Distance
Jumping for Height
Push Throw
Pull Throw
Coaching Process
Athlete Centred Coaching and the Athlete Development Pathway
Training Principles, Energy Systems and Factors influencing performance
How people learn skill
Athlete profiling and Planning training
Technical Day Speed – including Starts, Acceleration, Maximum Velocity, Hurdles, Relay and Wheelchair racing
Technical Day Throws – including all 4 Throws (Shot, Discus, Javelin, Hammer and Seated Throw)
Technical Day Jumps – including all 4 Jumps (Long, Triple, High and Pole Vault)
Technical Day Endurance – including Walks, Steeplechase, Middle Distance and Wheelchair Racin

Resources

Once you have secured your place on the course, all the resources to guide and help your development through the course, can be found in your My Learning portal. There will be two modules of work that you need to work through.

1) Athletics Coach: Pre Course and Course resources for Day 1 & 2

This module includes pre course reading as well as information and homework that should be completed between your Day 2 & 3. Once you have attended your Day 3, you will be able to access and work through module 2.

2) Preparation for Assessment

Within this module you will find templates to complete your mesocycle/session plan which you will be required to bring with you on your Assessment Day. The Knowledge Test will also need to be completed as part of the assessment process to gain your licence. You will be able to book onto these modules after your Day 3.

Resources are available in enlarged print. Please contact your Home Country Education Coordinator for further details.

Book now

Ready to book onto your local course?

Simply click on the links below to start searching for your nearest course.

Athletics Coach Days 1 & 2
Athletics Coach Endurance
Athletics Coach Jumps
Athletics Coach Speed
Athletics Coach Throws

FAQs

If you still have more questions – have a look at our Athletics Coach FAQs below and hopefully you will find the answers to all your questions.

Athletics Coach FAQs

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