1. Being a Coach
Practical Lesson 1

2. Planning a Practice Session
Before each training session a coach must evaluate the current level of the athlete and plan for optimal learning.
a) Athlete’s Skill – What is their current skill level? Do they have strengths? Weaknesses? Their Age?
b) Resources – What equipment is available? Facilities? Other coaching staff available
c) Short & Frequent Drills For New Skills – New skills will require drills to be short in duration as large errors usually occur and frustration can be high. Fatigue can also be a factor. A range of drills practicing these skills is required for mastery to be achieved.

3. Planning a Practice Session
d) Competition – like Practice – along with practicing new skills, skills must be practiced in the way they will be used in a game or competition – drills must be planned accordingly. e) Individual Differences – not every athlete is at the same level and therefore sessions must include variations to ensure all athletes are catered for. f) Participation in Planning – allowing athletes to participate in planning sessions is important to ensure they feel ‘a part’ of the team. g) Plan, but Be Flexible – remember that things don’t always go to plan and therefore you must be ready to vary your sessions Eg. If when practicing a skill you see the need to demonstrate a new or different skill and practice it.

4. Planning a Practice Session
h) Goal Setting – Goals must be established and be specific to the sport, situation and the athletes. i) Instructions and demonstrations – whole or part of skill, emphasise important points, who will demonstrate j) Appropriate Progression – Coaches must be plan for progression of skill levels and be able to identify the timing of such progression k) Variety – repetition is important to master skills however training and routines need to change slightly to ensure motivation and concentration are maintained.

5. Structuring a Training Session
There are certain elements regardless of age or skill level that should be included in a training session for improvement of performance to occur.
Brainstorm

6. Structure of a training session

7. Structuring a Training Session
Now place these in the order that they would occur in a session ie number the brainstorm 1 - 8
Structure of a training session
Overview
Warm Down
Skill practice
Safety Considerations
Warm up
Conditioning
Skills instruction
Evaluation

8. Structuring a Training Session
Element of session
Description
Overview of a session
Warm Up
Skill Instruction
Skill Practice
Conditioning
Warm Down
Evaluation
Safety Considerations

9. Structuring a Training Session
Element of session
Description
Overview of a session
Informs athletes of the goals of the sessions and an overview of the sessions activities.
Warm Up
Used to raise heart rate, breathing rate and body temperature. It is used to physically and mentally prepare athletes for the session. Should include low intensity activities followed by sport specific activities.
Skill Instruction
Used to show what they are required to do. Instructions are verbal cues and demonstrations give a visual picture.
Skill Practice
Development and practice of skills and tactics. Includes drills, modified games and game-like scenarios to ensure new and previously learnt skills can be practiced and refined.
Conditioning
Used to develop and maintain the fitness components relevant for the sport/ activity. Can be cardiovascular, endurance, speed or agility based. Or a combination of these fitness components. Can incorporate game skills.
Warm Down
Used to gradually return the body to its resting rate. Should include light activity followed by stretching.
Evaluation
This should include all athletes providing and overview of the sessions and projecting to future sessions. It should also include a personal evolution to ensure that adequate planning can occur for the future.
Safety Considerations
Weather conditions, facility (ie ground) conditions and the health of your athletes must all be monitored and variations applied for ensure the safety and well being of the athletes.

10. TASK
In pairs or a Group of 3, you will be given a skill that you will need to plan a 25 minute training session for. You will take the rest of the class through this session in your allocated lesson time.
The following 3 documents must be completed and handed in (4 pages in total):
Planning a session
The structure of the session (2 sheets)
An evaluation of the session

11. Planning a Session
You must indicate how you used each of the planning elements in preparation for your training session
Planning element
Our Considerations
Skill of the Athletes
Resources
Goal Setting
Instruction and Demonstration
Individual Differences
Competition-like Practice
Variety
Appropriate progressions

12. Structure of Session
Provide a brief overview of each section of your session
Element of session
Description
Overview of a session
Warm Up
Skill Instruction
Skill Practice
Conditioning
Warm Down
Evaluation
Safety Considerations

13. Structure of Session Complete the template with detail about your session – include who is the ‘lead’ coach for each section.

14. Evaluation of the session After you have coached your training session, complete the following self-evaluation of your performance as a coach in that session.