First Steps into Coaching
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 1
First Steps into Coaching
Video 1: Getting Involved
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 2
Why Get Involved in Coaching?
Discuss in a small group why you want to get
involved in coaching
Consider:
what brought you here today
why you are considering getting involved
what experience (if any) you have
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 3
Workshop Outcomes
By the end of this workshop, you should:
understand the different roles within coaching; in
particular the role of a coach’s helper
be aware of the knowledge, skills and qualities
required to take your first steps into coaching
have addressed some misconceptions
about coaching
have a clear idea of what your next step will be
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 4
Who are sports coach UK?
sports coach UK is a charity that helps to look
after coaches and promote coaching in the UK
Our mission is to recruit, develop and retain
coaches to achieve their participation and
performance goals
www.sportscoachuk.org
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 5
What is Sports Coaching?
Coaching is:
the consistent guided development of
participants to achieve their own personal goals
What is the role of a sports coach?
A sports coach is an individual involved in the
direction, instruction and training of the
operations of a sports team or an individual
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 6
Roles Within Coaching
Lead coach
A coach with a Level 2 coaching qualification
or above
A person who is qualified to prepare, deliver and
review coaching sessions
A lead coach can work without supervision
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 7
Roles Within Coaching
Assistant coach
A coach with a Level 1 coaching qualification
A person who assists more qualified coaches in
delivering aspects of coaching sessions, normally
under the supervision of a lead coach
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 8
Roles Within Coaching
Coach’s helper
A coach’s helper is someone who is interested in
coaching, but currently unqualified, who supports a
qualified coach
A coach’s helper will always work under the direct
supervision of a qualified coach
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 9
What Does a Coach’s Helper Do?
The role of a coach’s helper will vary
depending on the sport, but could involve:
setting up equipment for the session
supporting individuals and small groups
supporting and reinforcing the
coach’s instructions
ensuring every participant is involved
taking part in warm-ups and cool-downs
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 10
Roles Within Coaching
Lead
coach
Assistant
coach
Assistant
coach
Assistant
coach
People being coached
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 11
Coach’s
helper
Becoming a Coach’s Helper
For most people new to coaching, this will be the
first step
A coach’s helper will not be asked to plan or lead a
session
You can learn from more experienced coaches
while you gain confidence and experience
You can start helping immediately
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 12
First Steps into Coaching
Video 2: What Makes a Good Coach?
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 13
Who Would You Like to Coach?
You might enjoy working with people of all ages and
abilities, including the following groups:
children
adults getting back into sport (eg work colleagues)
talented sportspeople
disabled people
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 14
What Do People Want From Sport?
Motivation for People
Getting Involved
Motivation for People Leaving
• To have fun
• It was no longer fun
• To do something I am
good at
• I was no longer interested
in the activity
• To play as part of a team
• I didn’t like the coach
• To learn new skills
• Financial constraints
• To improve my skills
• It was too competitive
• To keep/get fit
• Work/family commitments
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 15
Where Can You Coach?
Coaching doesn’t just take place in sports clubs; there are
many opportunities that may fit your free time, including:
at your community centre or social club
during primary and secondary school lunchtimes or
after-school clubs
in special schools for disabled children or children with special
educational needs
in the workplace
with charities and organisations (eg Age UK)
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 16
Misconceptions About Coaching
You must have qualifications to be a coach’s helper
This is false, although you may wish to develop
your skills and learn more technical information
about coaching with a qualification
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 17
Misconceptions About
Coaching (continued)
You need to be good at sport to become a
coach’s helper
This is false – you will develop the skills
required as you gain experience, but you do
need passion and:
– to be a good communicator
– have drive and the ability to motivate people
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 18
Misconceptions About
Coaching (continued)
You have to be qualified or have special training to
begin coaching disabled people
This is false – you are coaching people with
different abilities, which is the same as coaching
anyone in sport
To coach disabled people, you need no other
specific skills than you would if you were coaching
non-disabled people – but as you develop your
experience you may wish to take additional
training
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 19
Misconceptions About
Coaching (continued)
All new coaches work with children
This is false – you can work with as many
different groups of people as you wish
There is a range of opportunities to develop your
skills and knowledge to support all groups of
people in sport
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 20
Insurance – Best Practice
It is recommended you speak to your club or
governing body of sport to check whether you
need insurance before you begin volunteering
Usually, volunteers are automatically insured by
the governing body of sport or club
It is essential to ask the question before you begin
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 21
Safeguarding and Protecting –
Best Practice
It is not your responsibility to decide whether or
not a child or vulnerable adult is being abused
Adults have a legal responsibility to act if they
have concerns regarding the welfare of a child or
vulnerable adult
Find out who your club’s Welfare Officer is – this is
the person you should report welfare concerns to
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 22
Disclosure and Barring Service
(DBS) – Best Practice
A DBS check (formerly known as a CRB disclosure) allows
clubs and organisations to make informed choices before
recruiting coaches and volunteers
DBS checks are usually free for volunteers
Under new legislation, most coach helpers would not need to
undertake a DBS check prior to volunteering with a club, as
they should always work under supervision
Clubs and governing bodies of sport will be able to tell you
whether you’ll need to undertake a DBS check
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 23
Where Can You Find Out More?
sports coach UK recommends all sports volunteers and
coaches take a safeguarding and protecting children in
sport workshop
The First Steps into Coaching resource contains more
information on safeguarding and protecting children and
vulnerable adults
Download the free Quick Guide to Safeguarding and
Protecting Children from the sports coach UK website at
www.sportscoachuk.org
The Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) is part of the
NSPCC and can offer further information and advice
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 24
Next Steps – Which Group
Are You Part Of?
I want to get
involved, but I am
not quite ready yet
I want to become a
coach’s helper
I want to become a
qualified sports
coach
• Shadow, watch, chat
and gain confidence
• Who do you need
to ask?
• Which qualification do
you want to take?
• What do you need
to know to be
more confident?
• When can you
help out?
• Where would you like
to get involved?
• How much do you
want to do?
• How much do you
want to get involved?
• When ready, ask to
be more involved
• How far can you
regularly travel?
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 25
Things to Consider Next
Which sport(s) would you like to be involved in?
How far can you travel and how much free time do
you have?
What motivates you to try your hand at coaching?
What group(s) of people would you like to
work with?
Do you know where you can get support?
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 26
sports coach UK
Coaching Resources
Visit the ‘I Want to Coach’ section of the sports
coach UK website at www.sportscoachuk.org
Quick Guides and Top Tips in the Resource Bank
sports coach UK workshops
Coaching Edge magazine
Your First Steps into Coaching resource
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 27
Becoming a Qualified Coach
If you want to become a qualified coach after being a coach’s helper:
UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC) qualifications
ensure coaches are trained to coach safely and
effectively, and attain an appropriate standard
of learning for their level of coaching
Qualifications begin at Level 1 (assistant coach)
and usually take 2–4 days to complete
Clubs and governing bodies of sport will have further details on
courses and costs for their sport and you can also find the sports
coach UK UKCC Level 1 Guide online
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 28
Any Questions?
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 29
Local Coaching Opportunities
(To be completed by the workshop organiser)
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 30
Local County Sports
Partnership Contacts
(To be completed by the workshop organiser)
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 31
Workshop Outcomes
By now, you should:
understand the different roles within coaching; in
particular the role of a coach’s helper
be aware of the knowledge, skills and qualities
required to take your first steps into coaching
have addressed some misconceptions
about coaching
have a clear idea of what your next step will be
First Steps into Coaching  Slide 32