The Principles of Sports Coaching (PDF, 41 Kb) - Sport New Zealand

The Principles of
Sports Coaching
LEVEL ONE

THE PRINCIPLES OF SPORTS COACHING LEVEL ONE
Acknowledgements
SPARC expresses its sincere appreciation to the people and organisations that contributed both directly and indirectly
to the development of this programme. In particular:
Jenny Black, George Duncan, Dave Gerrard, Dave Hadfield, Robin Holding, Patria Hume, Shona Jaray, Lynn Kidman,
Bob Marshall, Doug McClymont, Robin McConnell, Peter Milburn, Chris Milne, Richard Pringle, Jeremy Shearman,
Brett Smith, Paul Smith, Janis Tacon, Steve Targett and all of the Sport Development Officers in the Regional Sports
Trusts.
SPARC also acknowledges that this coach education programme and resources were originally developed produced
under the Coaching New Zealand (CNZ) brand.
Editor: Jude Ellis
Copyright © SPARC, 2003
(Sport and Recreation New Zealand)
First published in 1997
Reprinted in 1998/1999/2000/2001
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without
permission in writing from the publisher – SPARC, PO Box 2251, Wellington
ISBN 1-877356-11-5
Design, Production and Illustrations by Gusto Design & Print, Wellington
Printed by Astra Print Ltd, Wellington

About SPARC
SPARC (Sport and Recreation New Zealand) was formed in 2002 following the merger of the Hillary Commission, the
New Zealand Sports Foundation and the policy arm of the Office of Tourism and Sport.
SPARC’s job is to ensure New Zealand remains a thriving, healthy, dynamic country that can compete with the best in
the world and promote itself with confidence. Along the way, SPARC will raise the profile of both sport and physical
recreation, improve health outcomes for New Zealanders, create synergies and bring the sector into greater focus.
Our vision is that all New Zealanders have a right to enjoy participating and reaching their potential in sport and
physical recreation, are proud of their own active, healthy lifestyles and are proud of their achievements as a nation in
sport.
SPARC has three key goals. The first is for New Zealand to be the most active nation in the world. The second is to
have the most effective sport and physical recreation systems. The third goal is for our athletes and teams to win
consistently in events that matter to New Zealanders.
SPARC achieves these goals through the implementation of programmes and strategies such as the National Coaching
Strategy.
Coaching is central to participation and performance in sport. Having coaches at all levels throughout
New Zealand is essential not only to ensure success at sport, but also for successful community participation.
SPARC’s programmes are funded by the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board and the New Zealand Government.

THE NATIONAL COACH ACCREDITATION PROGRAMME
SPARC offers a coach accreditation programme covering all levels of development, from the introductory (Getting
Started in Coaching) through to the elite (High Performance). Coaches involved in the programme gain increased
status and improved practical coaching skills, resulting in long-term benefits for coaches, athletes, and their National
Sporting Organisations.
Getting Started in Coaching provides an entry point for individuals wishing to get involved in coaching. This course
is designed for the first-time coach and covers basic introductory coaching concepts.
The Principles of Sports Coaching Level One course is aimed at the beginner coach. It provides the coach with the
practical skills and knowledge required to plan, conduct and evaluate a basic coaching session (at the novice level).
The Level Two course is for more serious coaches seeking more information to improve their own knowledge and the
performance of their athletes.
It enlarges on the art of coaching and applies knowledge and skills to coaching a series of sessions.
At Level Three there is an emphasis on sport science and its practical application. This course focuses on obtaining
optimal performances from both the coach and the athlete, through encouraging coaches to examine their approach to
coaching and their coaching methods.
The High Performance (Level Four) programme is delivered in conjunction with the New Zealand Academy of Sport
and targets coaches practising at national and international levels. It is designed to further enhance the existing skills
and knowledge of our top coaches. Entry to this programme is restricted to those coaches meeting the entry criteria as
outlined in the High Performance Coaches Handbook.
Coaching Athletes with Disabilities (CAD) is designed for coaches, programme coordinators and administrators
involved in organising sport for athletes with disabilities. The CAD course details coaching techniques, physiological
considerations and the general principles of coaching these athletes.
SPARC develops curricula and provides resources for coach education courses. The curricula focus on generic content,
but marry this material to sport- specific programmes with assistance from the National Sports Organisations.
National Coach Accreditation Programme courses involve workshops facilitated by various experts in the field of
sports coaching and science, and a self-directed learning component that involves the completion of the accreditation
requirements and time spent practically coaching. Assessment tasks include written workbooks and various forms of
practical coaching. Assessment will also involve NZQA (New Zealand Qualifications Authority) unit standards.

Target Group Purpose Prerequisites Assessment Time (hrs)
0 First-time coaches, parents
and volunteers
An introduction to basic
coaching concepts
None
No assessment
requirements
3.5 workshop
1 Beginner coaches, teachers,
parents and volunteers
How to plan, conduct
and evaluate a safe,
effective coaching
session at the novice
level
None
Workbook
Coach self-analysis
Practical assessment
NZQA units
15 workshop
20 selfdirected
2 Coaches seeking either more
knowledge in an introductory
context or to coach at a
higher level
How to plan, implement
and evaluate a
developmental series of
coaching sessions
Level One or RPL
equivalent
Workbook
Coach self-analysis
Practical assessment
NZQA units
25 workshop
40 selfdirected
3 Experienced coaches working
with performance athletes
The application of sport
science to improve
performance and
examination of personal
coaching approach and
methods
Level Two or PRL
equivalent
Workbook
Practical assessment
NZQA units
70 workshop
100 selfdirected
HP
Coaches of age group elite
national and international
teams
To further enhance
existing high
performance coaching
skills and knowledge
Refer High Performance Coaches Handbook
CAD
Coaches, programme
coordinators, administrators
of athletes with disabilities
To increase
understanding and
awareness of athletes
with disabilities and the
special considerations
associated with coaching
these athletes
None
Workbook
Practical assessment
NZQA units
15 workshop
10 selfdirected
For further information on SPARC or the National Coach Accreditation Programme please contact:
SPARC
PO Box 2251
Wellington
Phone (04) 472 8058, Fax (04) 471 0813
Email: coach@sparc.org.nz

Contents
This manual, The Principles of Sports Coaching Level One, is provided to coaches in conjunction with the Level Two
course.
The course and manual comprise nine modules designed to assist coaches to improve their coaching performance. At
the end of each module there are pages for you to make additional notes during the course. A plastic envelope is also
provided at the
back of the manual to store the various handouts
you will receive.
Module One – The Role of the Coach 1
Page
Module Two – Communication 15
Module Three – Growth and Development 21
Module Four – Mental Skills’ Training 31
Module Five – Physical Preparation 39
Module Six – Introduction to Skill Analysis 51
Module Seven – Coaching a Skill 59
Module Eight – Sport Safety 69
Module Nine – Planning a Coaching Session 81