Philosophy
Young children should develop athleticism in an environment that is child-centred, safe, enjoyable, inclusive, well organised with activities that are appropriate to their developmental stage and that will enhance their overall health and well-being.
UKA Children’s Coaches should engage children in fun activities that have the clear purpose of developing techniques and skills, primarily within a multi-skill and multi-event environment. Children should be motivated in athletics by actively participating in developmentally appropriate challenges, that are structured to make use of competition in an effective and balanced manner
Aim of the Award
On successful completion of the award, coaches should be able to plan, deliver and review a coaching programme for children that:
- Develops fundamental, athletic movement skills suitable for children aged 8 to 12 years old
- Provides engaging and enjoyable activities
- Maximises involvement
- Has a focus on long-term development rather than short-term performance
Course Length
The course and assessment period is four days in total;
3 days taught course + 1 day assessment
Cost
£350 (includes Day 1 & 2, Day 3 & Assessment Day)
Pre-requisites
- Be at least 18 years old
- Sign up to UKAs’ terms & conditions of being a Coach
- Provide a passport photograph and payment
- Have had the appropriate police records check
- Hold a UKA Level 1 or UKA Coaching Assistant licence and have 3 months operational experience in the role
- Complete the pre-course study
Who is the Children's course suitable for?
UKA Level 1 or UKA Coaching Assistants who can demonstrate some coaching experience e.g. a minimum of 3 months as a Coaching Assistant. Ideally this experience should be in working with children in the 8-12 years age range.
Assistant coaches who currently work within, or have access to, a club or school with children who have ‘signed up’ to a programme or sessions where they can develop running, jumping and throwing skills.
Have access to the minimum facilities for the duration of the programme; e.g. a large, well lit, safe indoor or outdoor area and suitable equipment including; mats, cones, ladders, mini hurdles and a variety of throwing implements.
Award Content - Athletics Specific
- Running, jumping and throwing development
- Activities – purpose, value and function
- Specific athletic tools / resources that can help them and guidance on how to use e.g. how to assess child’s achievements / progress
- Role and responsibility of a UKA Children’s Coach and how deployed
- Relevance of technical information at this level
- Principles of warm up and cool down – stretching
- UKA Athlete Development Model
- Participation / competition balance and how to use competitions to the best effect
- Personal development opportunities and how to access CPD
Award Content - Coaching Process and Child Development
- Child growth / development – as it relates to athlete development and coaching
- The coaching process: plan, do, review
- Planning and programming
- Balance, coordination, agility, speed
- Key health messages;
Active lifestyle
Positive youth development (5 C’s)
How children learn best
Skill acquisition and development
Promote positive behaviour and developing
Motivation
- Health and safety and risks: assess and monitor
- Equality, inclusion & differentiation
- Coaching methods – tell, ask, show, peer coaching, set up and stand back
- Reasons for a childs participation in sport and athletics
- The use of appropriate language