Coaching Football
High quality coaches can bring considerable success to the team on the field. Moreover however, coaching is one of the most important factors in developing, sustaining and increasing participation across the sport, providing a platform for the ongoing development of the game.
The coaching of American football is famously synonymous with a chalk board covered in Xs and Os with various arrow lines showing routes for players to run. In truth however, the coaching of football is far more than that. A coach can have many roles and a host of responsibilities encompassing areas such as the tactical, technical, physical and psychological development of the players.
BAFA, through its Coaching Association, BAFCA, is committed to providing a coaching pathway and support system which aids the recruitment, retention and development of coaches across both contact and non contact football.
Regional workshops, qualification clinics, online forums, an extensive resource library and national conventions form the core of the Coaches’ Association’s Coach Education Programme (CEP) offer with details of upcoming events highlighted on the Diary section of the website.
Coaching Qualifications
The Coaches’ Association offers a qualifications framework where the learning comprises both the practical and theoretical and which is designed to support the aspirations of all people interested in coaching American football.
American Football Leaders Award
The Leaders Award is aimed primarily at flag football, the non-contact version of American football, and is designed to provide a great introduction to the most accessible version of the game. Interest in Flag football is growing significantly and the one-day Leaders Award is perfect for teachers, young leaders and those seeking to establish a Flag team in their local community.
The rest of the qualification structure is tiered and currently contains two levels which support the progressive development of the coach.
The development of the Leaders Award was funded by Sport England.
Level 1
This course is open to individuals who have never coached or played the sport, however, a basic understanding of American football is required.
Candidates must be minimum 18 years of age.
The Level 1 qualification is an award suitable for assistant coaches working under the supervision of a more qualified coach. It introduces the concepts of coaching through the philosophy of the CEP along with the basic technical skills of the sport. The modules include:
- Health and safety in football
- Responsibilities of the coach
- Basic teaching and coaching methods
- Blocking and tackling techniques
- Ball skill techniques
The level 1 is a one day course that features a mixture of theory and practical work.
Level 2
Candidates for the Level 2 course must be minimum 18 years of age. They should have previously attained the level 1 qualification and spent at minimum one season actively coaching. Alternatively, individuals with a high degree of previous coaching experience or playing experience may apply for dispensation to undertake the level 2 as their entry qualification to coaching.
The Level 2 qualification builds upon the platform provided by the level 1 award, providing more advanced tactical and technical knowledge and supporting the coach in becoming more effective in working in a supervisory capacity.
The Level 2 qualification includes modules on:
- Coaching Philosophy
- The Coaching Process
- The Coaching Environment
- Coaching Young People
- Risk Management
- Physical capability
- Mental skills
- Tactical development
- Technical Skills
- Planning and Preparation
The level 2 is a two day course that features a mixture of theory and practical work.
The development of the Level 2 qualification was part funded by Sport England.
Diary
Coaching events take place all year round.
The Coaches’ Association primarily deliver Level One coaching clinics to coincide with the pre-season of the two major competitions which BAFA operates – the Community Leagues which run over the summer, and the University League, which runs over the winter. This sees regional clinics delivered in the Spring and early Autumn. The Spring dates are to be announced soon.
The Annual Coaching Convention is a three-day event comprising of numerous workshops, seminars, lectures and practical sessions with key note speakers drawn from around the world, but notably from top-flight programs within the USA.