Assistant Coach
The Assistant Coach Award's (ACA) three modules: Technique & Technical Skills Module (currently available) and Effective Coaching & Planning Module and Coaching Communications & Competition Skills Module (available from July '07) are designed to be entry level courses for coaches. At least one module must be completed prior to the Skills Coach Certificate. However, it is advised that if there has been minimal previous coaching qualifications, experience or professional development, that all three modules be completed prior to embarking on the Skills Coach course. The Skills Coach course requires solid 'entry-level' understanding across all areas of coaching.
Course content for the three ACA modules, listed below in some detail, for coaches who are coaching once, twice or three times per week with young swimmers 8-11 years would benefit by keeping up to date by attending an ACA module at least every two years.
Module Content
Effective Coaching and Planning Module
- Organising a session
- Land activities and progressions
- Lane etiquette
- Swim session structure
- Principles of training
- Introduction to athlete centered planning
- Stopwatch skills and measurables
Coaching Communication and Competition Skills Module
- Athlete centered coaching
- Communicating the plan
- Preparing for competition
- The coaches role at competition
- Parents - communication, expectation and role at meets
Technique and Technical Skills Module
- Principles of movement through water
- Developing stroke models
- Skill analysis
- Introduction to feedback mechanisms
- Drill sequences
- Teaching butterfly
- Teaching starts
- FINA swimming rules
Requirements for Certification
- Attend all sessions of the one day course/s
- Complete all course workshops and activities
