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| BSUK COACH EDUCATION: 2009-2010 |
Interested in becoming a coach in baseball or in fastpitch or slowpitch softball? Here is some basic information about BSUK's Coach Education Programme that will help you get started.
Coach education is a programme of learning about how to coach and what to coach. It is also about
a nationally recognised qualification that will give the coach a sense of empowerment and enable others to
judge his or her level of competency. Finally, it is about the process of continuing development from a learning coach to whatever level the individual aspires to in coaching. In baseball and fastpitch softball, it also relates to developing as a team manager, or as a captain in a slowpitch team.
The BSUK Coach Education and Development Programme covers baseball, slowpitch softball and fastpitch softball. At the lowest level, the course is generic to all three games as it concentrates on introducing basic coaching skills and responsibilities. However, even these courses can be skewed to a specifically baseball or softball audience as far as game skills and procedures are required.
There are four levels of awards in the BSUK Coach Education Programme, and these are linked to levels set out in the National Coaching Framework and as such are comparable with coaching levels in most other sports in the UK. The levels are:
Level 1 Assistant Coach Award
This course covers generic coaching skills and competencies but also includes how to introduce, teach and develop the fundamental skills of the game as well as related subjects such as base coaching procedures. Level 1 coaches may well know a lot about the game, maybe through playing themselves, but they will be learning about coaching skills by working with other, more experienced and qualified coaches.
Level 2 Coach Award
This course is for baseball or softball and qualifies a coach to operate independently or as a lead coach and team manager, maybe supervising assistant coaches. It covers practice session planning, delivery and evaluation as well as more aspects of game management and the teaching and coaching of positional responsibilities.
Level 3 Senior Coach Award
This is a course for experienced coaches who have already demonstrated all of the competencies in Level 1 and Level 2. It examines the development, delivery, implementation and analysis of annual coaching programmes in either baseball or softball and also includes an in-depth examination of current practice in
the coaching of hitters, pitchers, catchers and position players.
There are workshops on planning annual programmes, player needs analysis, injury prevention, conditioning, defensive strategy, hitting, pitching and catching and mental aspects of the game.
Entering the Programme
Ideally, a person will come into the programme at Level 1 following experience as a player and therefore knowing the game fairly well, or having some other experience as a participant. However, this is not always the case and so a Level 1 course has to include some teaching of basic skills involved. An experienced player with little or no coach education must enter the programme at this level.
For participants with little knowledge or experience of the game, there are pre-coaching or foundation courses which introduce beginners to the correct way of performing game skills and the procedures for
playing the game. These courses are delivered regionally by BSUK staff and are suitable for teachers and multi-sport coaches wanting to know how to play the game.
It is possible for persons with proven coaching qualification or competency, perhaps from a foreign coaching programme such as the Canadian or Australian system, to move into our programme at Level 2 providing they can prove prior qualification or experience. Even so, such persons will have to undergo an assessment of their practical ability as an assistant coach.
Why Get Involved?
There are numerous reasons for getting involved in coach education. You can:
-- Learn about techniques and good practice in coaching.
-- Meet and learn from other coaches.
-- Gain valuable insight into how participants learn and how a coach can meet individual player needs.
-- Get essential training and qualification for working with young people and children under 18.
-- Meet the requirement for qualified coaches for quality sports club accreditation.
-- Learn how to plan and deliver better practices for your team.
-- Be able to provide evidence of competency and qualification for third parties such as schools.
-- Give greater satisfaction to your team and club members through quality coaching.
Coaching Course Costs
Are BSUK coaching courses expensive? Compared to many other sports, no. In 2010, a two-day Level 1 course will cost £75. An equivalent course in rounders or rugby will cost more that twice that. Bursaries, which repay up to 60% of course fees, are available to many delegates.
Why do the courses cost so much? We have to pay tutors and assessors, who are trained and qualified persons who also invest their time. Facilities such as an indoor sports hall and classroom can cost up to £300 per day. There are also costs in the production of course resources.
Other Questions?
Can I fail if I attend the full course? It's possible, but it's more likely that a deferment will lead to an action plan for support and re assessment.
Where and where are courses held? Generally between November and March on a regional basis. Delegates have to be prepared to travel to a venue. We can put on a discounted, closed course for a club if the club can come up with at least 10 delegates and a venue.
Want to Know More?
Check out www.baseballsoftballuk.com or contact John Mills, BSUK Coach Education Lead Officer, through the Contacts Page on the BSUK website or by calling 07810-641494.
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