Coach Education and Development
A Coach is a person who assists with appropriate stimulations for participants to achieve their full potential.
The coach plays a central role in the development of Curling. The challenge for the coach is to create the right conditions for learning to happen and to empower the participants to develop him / her to reach their potential.
Quality Coaching – as part of an overall Learning and Development Plan – promotes essences of Curling Spirit, fair play, builds social cohesion, self-esteem, and enhances health and well-being as objectives. Coaches should be committed to creating fun, safe playing environments for all of our participants, regardless of age or ability level. To safeguard our participants, coaches abide by the International Curling Academy Code of Conduct and are vetted by Sexual Conviction Record Check (SCRC).
Course Philosophy
The ICA is committed to maximising participation, optimising playing standards and ensuring that participants’ needs are catered for in a balanced way.
The ICA is committed to implementing an integrated Coach Education Programme with a view to maximising participation, optimising playing standards and ensuring that participants’ needs are catered for in a balanced way.
The course is designed to promote the development of the How to Coach Skills through modeling of best practice, as demonstrated by the tutor, experiential learning and through the guided reflection on previous experiences – as a coach, player, official or parent – facilitated by the tutor.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR COACHING
The ultimate goal of ICA is CURLING FOR ALL. In order to successfully provide the opportunity for all to learn a new sport – CURLING, ICA has developed a plan of strategic priorities for coaching.
Participation and Inclusion
l Train more coaches to promote curling through Floor Curling to students in schools and general public in the community without ice.
l Train more coaches to instruct Learn to Curl through Arena Ice Programmes .
l Train more coaches to instruct curling as an adaptive sport for participant with different needs and abilities.
Development
l Deliver quality coach education programme
l Maximize opportunities for coaches to access professional development opportunities
l Connect coaches through a “network” to engage, develop, and share best practices amongst coaches
Excellence
l Provide consultation and support the training and certification of Coach
l Provide opportunities for mentorship, observation and participation in curling events
Coaching Certification Programme
This programme is for those who are taking the path to excel in teaching Curling from novice onwards. Successful completion, to an evaluated level of competence, of training and components in each level, will provide that level of Coach ‘Certified’.
| Curling Coach | Floor Curling Coach |
Floor Curling – An Iceless Game of Curling
Floor Curling Foundation Coach Course
The Foundation Award is the introductory award for coaches of Floor Curling. The course is ideally suitable for school or community-based coaches who are introducing new participants to Floor Curling.
The course is 6 hours in duration and covers four key modules:
l The Game of Curling / Floor Curling
l Basic Skills Development and Strategies
l Coaching and Class Management
l Management and Maintenance of Equipment
Coaching Competencies to be developed
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
l Plan and safely conduct a training session, ensuring fun and maximum participation through games and activities;
l Adapt activities to meet participant abilities;
l Coach the fundamentals of Floor;
l Manage and care of equipment
Attendance certificate will be awarded upon the successful completion of training course.
Foundation Coach Certificate with Coach Polo Shirt for those who have achieved an evaluated level of competence with a total of 6 hours practical session
LEVEL 1 Floor Curling Coach Course
The LEVEL 1 Floor Curling Coach Course is the second Certificate on the coaching pathway of Floor Curling Games. The course is aimed at coaches that have progressed through the Foundation Certificate and have experience as a coach.
The course is designed to promote the tradition of Curling Spirit. Teaching techniques for individual player development, as well as tactical considerations for team play are presented in order to ensure coaches are confident to organizing the game in school/club – at a range of abilities and ages.
The course is 12 hours in duration and covers a number of key modules including:
l Technical Proficiency
l Tactical Prowess
l Team Play
l Physical Fitness
l Playing Facts
l Psychological Focus
l Communication
The focus of the course is the further development of the ‘How to Coach’ skills by placing the participant in situations that they will face as coaches – the organisation of games activities, activities to develop skill and activities to develop the various aspects of physical fitness.
Coaching Competencies to be developed by the end of this course participant will be able to:
l Organise a programme of games and skill development activities appropriate to each participant’s needs and abilities
l Organise progressive activities (drills and fun games) to develop key skills
l Organise and manage participants for an effective practice session
l Build Rapport, Observe, Analyse, Explain, Provide Demonstration and Provide Positive Feedback to Players
l Understand the course philosophy
Attendance certificate will be awarded upon the successful completion of training course.
Foundation Coach Certificate with Coach Polo Shirt for those who have achieved an evaluated level of competence with a total of 6 hours practical session
LEVEL 2 Floor Curling Coach Course
The Level 2 Floor Curling Coach Course is ideally suited to coaches regularly coaching a team or coaching an individual. Amongst a range of other knowledge and skill components, this course is 12 hours in duration and covers a broad range of general coaching theories and specific Floor Curling content, including:
l Planning, conducting & reviewing a coaching session;
l Demonstrate appropriate risk management strategies & apply risk management procedures;
l Ability to teach skill technique and tactics in different learning environments taking into account player’s development;
l Communication style & strategies when coaching or providing feedback to different players;
l Implement inclusive activities for the coaching of floor curling;
l Identify the specific responsibilities of lead, second, third and skip;
Once an individual has successfully completed the Level Two Certificate they are able to provide coaching courses suitable for participants wishing to develop their skills
LEVEL 3 Floor Curling Coach Course
The course is aimed at experienced coaches that have progressed through the Foundation, Level 1 and 2 Certificate Programmes. The course is conducted face to face over 24 hours with topics delivered by experts in their field.
The content can be split into two sections; coach preparation and player preparation. Knowing your own coaching style, coaching philosophy, how to plan your program and how to teach, observe and provide feedback to your players are all key components throughout coach preparation. Player preparation covers how players acquire skills, how to analyse movement, the principles of physiology and working with a player’s mental ability.
At this Level coach will be involved not only in coaching players but may also be invited to assist in the training of Level 1 and Level 2 candidates.
Ice Curling Coaching Certification Programme
This programme is designed for those who are taking the path to excel in coaching ice curling from novice onwards. Successful completion, to an evaluated level of competence, of Training and Evaluation Components in each level will provide the coach as ‘Certified’.
Curling Coach Foundation Training Course
The course is 24 hours in duration and is designed for those who are introducing recreation curling and taking part in club level bonspiels, and conducting learn to curl programmes.
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
l Create a safe and stimulating learning environment
l Organise Learn to Curl and Skill Improvement Clinics
l Teach fundamental skills and etiquette of curling in a positive manner
Topics covered in the course:
l Role of the coach and organizational management
l Game orientation, rules & etiquette
l Safety
l Warm-ups & cool-downs
l The curling delivery
l Introduction to strategy
l Brushing
l Ethical coaching
l Skill analysis
l Special interest groups
Coach Training Course
The course is 24 hours in duration and is ideally suited to coaches regularly working at club level, either coaching a team or coaching an individual. Amongst a range of other knowledge and skill components, this course covers a broad range of general coaching theories and specific contents, including:
l Planning, conducting & reviewing a coaching session;
l Demonstrate appropriate risk management strategies & apply risk management procedures;
l Ability to teach skill technique and tactics in different learning environments taking into account player’s development;
l Communication style & strategies when coaching or providing feedback to different players;
l Implement inclusive activities for the coaching of curling;
l Identify the specific responsibilities of lead, second, third and skip;
Senior Coach Training Course
a. Training Workshops:
Technical Skills
Performance Planning
Analyze Technical & Tactical Performance
Manage a Program
Prevention and Recovery
Developing Athletic Abilities
Strategy
Advanced Practice Planning
Managing Conflict
Coaching and Leading Effectively
Leading Drug Free Sport
Psychology of Performance
b. Evaluation Requirements:
i. Portfolio Submission
ii. Team profile
iii. Annual Plan
iv. 3 Practice Plans
v. Written Competition and Seasonal Reports
vi. Rules Evaluation
vii. Video Analysis test
viii. Observation of a Practice Session
ix. Observation of a Competitive Session
x. Managing Conflict Evaluation
