Jump to: Introduction to Coaching | CORE Coaching Qualification | Coach Professional Development

Whether you’re supporting your local baseball team, leading slowpitch leagues, or developing the next generation of fastpitch athletes, the Coaching Playbook is your pathway to coaching with confidence. Developed for the UK coaching landscape, this programme gives you the skills, knowledge, and support to positively impact players at every level of the game through to Performance. 

 

Introduction to Coaching

The Introduction to Coaching course is the perfect starting point for new or aspiring coaches in baseball, slowpitch, or fastpitch softball. This fully online course is self-directed, meaning you can work through the modules at your own pace, whenever and wherever suits you. 

It includes:

  • The fundamentals of effective coaching
  • An introduction to baseball and softball coaching
  • How to assist a lead coach in delivering a session
  • Helping to create safe, inclusive, and positive sessions
  • Key principles of player safety and development

The Introduction to Coaching Course costs £15.

Please note that the Introduction to Coaching course is recommended, but not compulsory, before taking the CORE Coaching Couse

 

Register on Sport 80

 

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CORE Coaching Qualification

The CORE Coaching Qualification is your next step to becoming a qualified baseball or softball coach, whether in baseball, slowpitch, or fastpitch. It builds on your foundation and prepares you to deliver sessions with confidence and care as a lead coach.   The CORE Coaching Qualification has been developed in line with the CIMSPA Professional Standards for Coaching. 

CORE stands for: Coaching | Organisation | Responsibility | Engagement

This course is delivered through blended learning, which includes:

  • A self-paced online module focused on what to coach and the soft skills needed to lead positive, inclusive sessions
  • A 1-day in-person workshop with practical, hands-on coaching activities
  • An in-person assessment day held 4–8 weeks later to complete your qualification

You'll deepen your sport-specific knowledge, apply real coaching scenarios, and develop tools to create safe, supportive environments for your players.

Courses run throughout the year across the UK. See our Upcoming Courses page for more information.

The Core Coaching Qualification costs £200. 

Register your interest in hosting or attending a CORE Coaching Course here.

 

What to expect on the CORE Coaching Qualification: 

  • At BaseballSoftballUK  we believe coaches play an essential role in not just the technical and physical development of players, but also the personal and social skills of everyone they work with. 
  • Our CORE Coaching Qualification has been designed to help coaches enhance their skills in each of those areas, preparing them for the additional Coach Professional Development training we offer for coaches upon completion of the CORE Coaching Qualification. 

CORE Coaching Qualification content - this is delivered over two days that are usually between 4 to 8 weeks apart.  

  • Online pre-course learning -An introduction to the principles of inter-personal skills and communication in coaching 
  • Day One - Face to face learning delivered by one (or possibly two if required) of our recognised Coach Developers, following our syllabus: 
    • What makes a good session 
    • RAMP Warm-ups and Movement  
    • Inclusive Coaching and Adaptation  
    • Throwing and Catching  
    • Hitting Fundamentals  
    • Fielding Fundamentals  
    • Coaching through games and constraints  
    • Pitching Fundamentals  
    • Catching and Base running 
  • Home Study - This is where coaches complete the tasks online, within the workbook and put the learning to use.  
  • Day Two - Assessment - The assessment day is once again delivered by one of our recognised Coach Developers with each coach asked to deliver a 10-to-15-minute session on a specific technical element covered on Day one. 

Please note: BaseballSoftballUK has a responsibility to ensure that baseball and softball coaches operating in the UK meet the appropriate minimum standards for deployment and national standards for sports coaching. The CORE Coaching Qualification has been developed, in line with the CIMSPA professional standards for coaching, to fulfil this need and will be the expected route for coaches to who wish to lead sessions.  Coaches who complete the CORE Qualification (or recognised equivalent), alongside up to date safeguarding training and DBS check are eligible for BaseballSoftballUK Coach Membership and can progress to environment-specific learning.  Baseball and Softball in the UK meeting these standards for coach deployment is an expected requirement for the sport and part of BaseballSoftballUK’s commitment to helping create the best possible coaching environment. 

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Coach Professional Development

Once you complete the CORE Coaching Qualification and havev a Coach Membership, you'll be able to access additional resources to support your development. These are housed within the 'Online Learning Hub' and will provide specific support and advice to your preferred coaching discipline: Youth Participation, Adult Participation, Talent, or Performance. Here you'll find resources, webinar recordings, and videos that best support you as a coach. 

Click the logos below to access the specific CPD you want on the Online Learning Hub.

 

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