COACHING

Levels of Certification

Squash Canada Coach Development model

A coach used to have to go through a Level system to attain certification (Level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) similar to a ladder system; now a coach can choose from an Instructional stream with various contexts, depending on the level of competition they wish to instruct.  Squash Canada's coaching program presently is in the middle of a transition period from the old system to the new system.  Described below are the first two contexts developed by Squash Canada and available in Ontario, with the exisiting old NCCP process  (Level 3, 4, 5) still available as well.

A full description of each level and requirements follows:

THE NEW NCCP

 

CONTEXT: INTRODUCTION TO SQUASH

INTRODUCTION TO SQUASH - CERTIFIED TEACHER

The first gradation is the Squash Teacher.  The evaluation of the Squash Teacher must be done with the context specific athletes.  Typically these players are beginners and novices of all ages, who will play recreationally and enjoy unstructured programs in schools, recreation centers, the Y's, in squash Clubs and 1-2 court facilities.

Certified Teacher's certification process:

  • Completed the Coaching Foundations Course
  • Completed the Multi Sport Modules, Part A
  • Passed the Squash Teacher evaluation
  • Passed the ethics evaluation (available from CAC at http://coach.ca)

 

INTRODUCTION TO SQUASH - CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR

The evaluation of the Squash Instructor must also be done with context specific athletes.  Typically these players are novices and better beginners of all ages but who are still recreational.  90% of these players will be using colleges, 1-2 court facilities and squash clubs.

Certified Instructor's certification process:

  • Completed the Coaching Foundations Course
  • Completed the Multi Sport Modules, Part A
  • Passed the Squash Instructor evaluation
  • Passed the ethics evaluation (available from CAC at http://coach.ca)

Note: Course Participants may choose to be evaluated at the level in which they feel competent. They do not have to be certified Squash Teachers before applying for Squash Instructor evaluation.

 

CONTEXT: INTERMEDIATE

SQUASH- INTERMEDIATE- CERTIFIED INTERMEDIATE INSTRUCTOR

The evaluation of the Intermediate instructor must be done with context specific athletes.  Typically these are low intermediate recreational players, of all ages, whose interest lies in more short term improvement in their games, but who are also fitness and socially motivated.  They play clubs and small facilities, universities and colleges.

Certified Intermediate Intructor's certification process:

  • Completed the Intermediate Coaching Course
  • Completed the Multi Sport Modules, Part B
  • Complete Officiating Certification course- D4 level
  • First Aid/CPR
  • Passed the Intermediate Instructor evaluation

 

INTRODUCTION TO COMPETITION- CERTIFIED CLUB COACH

The evaluation of the Club Coach must be done with context specific athletes.  Typically these athletes are intermediate players, aged 12 and over, who train in squash clubs, Universities and Colleges who require long-term competitive training for city and regional tournaments.

Certified club coach's certification process:

  • Completed the Intermediate Coaching Course
  • Completed the Multi-sport Modules, Part B
  • Complete Officiating Certification course- D4 level
  • First Aid/CPR
  • Passed the Club Coach evaluation

Note: Intermediate courses train coaches in the instruction stream and the competitive stream.  Intermediate participants may choose to be evaluated in the instruction stream as an Intermediate Intructor or may move directly into the competitive stream and seek evaluation as a Club Coach.

 

THE OLD NCCP

LEVEL 3
This level is aimed at the more experienced coach who has gained experience in coaching through Levels 1 and 2 of the program. Level 3 focuses on advanced coaching for the A and B level player in an individual situation with particular attention to advanced tactics and training techniques. In addition, an outline of the Professional's role in terms of club programs, the pro shop, and related responsibilities is discussed for those Level 3 coaches who are or become professionals in a club situation. Before attending a Level 3 technical clinic, coaches must have completed full certification at Level 2. To become fully certified as a Level 3 coach, candidates must have completed the level 3 Technical, Practical, and Theory requirements.

THEORY CURRICULUM TECHNICALCURRICULUM PRACTICAL REQUIREMENTS

Integrating technical, tactical, physical, and psychological training into a yearly plan.

Leadership: powerful methods to become an effective leader; proven tips on how to communicate assertively; check-list for effective problem solving.

Ethics and values in sport; self-awareness of your coaching strengths and weaknesses; six handy tips to help athletes retire from sport successfully.

Developing a player profile and techniques for monitoring skill progression; guidelines for designing drills for competitive athletes.

Improve your error detection and correction abilities; how to use a skills inventory to improve skill analysis.

Understanding the process for developing mental training programs; pre-competition and competition plans; specific mental training skills; integration with yearly plan.

Understanding the use of lab and field tests; assess training program; recognizing the effects of thermal stress on your athletes; developing a Nutritional Action Plan.

 

Coaching Skills

  • Role of coach and major tournament organizer
  • Competitive goal setting
  • High-calibre player assessment
  • Individual and group lessons with high-calibre players
  • Advanced match analysis and observations with positive feedback
  • Advanced application of "Action Method"

Programming

  • Responsibilities to the Canadian Sport System
  • Facility and club management of time and resources
  • Training camps
  • Competitive tours
  • Facility/equipment/field testing devices

Physical Skills

  • Yearly Planning Instrument (YPI)
  • Evaluation and monitoring of YPI
  • Nutrition
  • Environmental adaptations
  • Injury/over-training/recovery

Technical Skills

  • Advanced training sessions
  • Advanced variations of offensive and defensive strokes
  • Stroke deception

Tactical Skills

  • Advanced tactical patterns of play
  • Game styles
  • Anticipation

Mental Skills

  • Evaluation and assessment of 5 mental skills
  • Individual implementation of mental skills in YTP

At Level 3 candidates will be evaluated and then placed in either the High Performance stream or Teaching stream based on their performance in the evaluation

The candidate will be placed into the High Performance stream when they pass all the components of the practical evaluation:

  • evaluate a high-calibre player
  • conduct an advanced lesson/drill session with a high-calibre athlete
  • develop a Yearly Planning Instrument (YPI)
  • log 50 hours of practice teaching/coaching with high-calibre players
  • have a minimum of 4 years playing experience
  • have a minimum of 2 years coaching experience

Note:
Candidates who do not successfully complete both the Skills components (a) and (b), but pass all other components, will be placed in the Teaching stream.

 
Course Duration: 28 hours Course Duration: 22 Hours

MUST Be Completed Within 18 Months.


LEVELS 4 & 5
Level 4 prepares advanced coaches to plan the concepts and principles relative to the advanced tactical and technical skills, advanced physiological training, advanced psychological behaviours, so their performance athletes will compete successfully at the national and international levels. Level 3 coaches will be sent applications by Squash Canada prior to each level 4 course.