The role of the ECB Head Coach (UKCC 3) award holder is to be able to :-

“Plan, implement and revise annual coaching programme(s).”

The Level 3 Coach

Qualities of coaches coming into the programme will include a willingness to share their expertise and to be able to provide quality feedback to other coaches. A considerable amount of learning will take place through the sharing of key information by coaches on the course and it is your own expertise and individual qualities that will help fellow coaches develop.

It is also important that individual coaches have an open-minded attitude to their development and a real willingness to learn.

Pre-requisites

The following components are absolutely essential for coaches wishing to apply for the national Level 3 course.

• Attendance at a Good Practice & Child Protection course within the last three years – photocopied certificate as evidence
• Attendance at a First Aid workshop - as above
• ECB Coaches Association member
• CRB clearance

Course Requirements

Over the duration of the course, you will be expected to complete pre-module reading as well as specific coaching tasks designed to get you actively reflecting upon your current coaching. In between each module there will also be activities that will build upon material delivered in each module.

This work will then be consolidated in future modules. The activities that coaches complete in between modules as part of home study are integral to the course and some of them will form part of the final assessment.

Assessment of coaches at UKCC 3 will include:

1. Practical coaching – this will be done during parts of some modules and a final practical coaching assessment will take place in the coach’s own environment once all modules have been completed
2. Evidence of planning, delivering and reviewing player development programmes
3. Self evaluation of coaching
4. Observation and analysis of player performance

During the period of the entire course, you will need to have regular opportunities to coach in a variety of environments. These will need to include access to players for one-to-one coaching sessions, working with groups of players and having access to support and feedback from other coaches.

You will have a chance to reflect upon your planning and delivery and this will be done through the use of a coaching logbook designed to support your learning.

Coaches who do not have all of the above prerequisites will need to get in touch with their county board for information on prospective courses and if they are not ECB Coaches Association members they should log on to the ECB Coaches Association website for details on how to join.

Coaches unable to do this can get in touch with ECB CA support staff by phoning 0121 440 4332

Recommended Experience

The typical profile of coaches looking to embark on the Level 3 programme consists of some of the following:

1. ECB Level II or an ECB Coach (UKCC2) qualified. For those who obtain the UKCC2 they will also need to have attended all six of the Coach Development Workshops in addition to the Club Coach Assessment (available from November 2007 onwards) before applying for the course.
2. A minimum of approximately 100 hours active coaching experience since achievement of the above qualification
3. Active involvement in some of the following coaching environments: senior club cricket; district age-group cricket; county age-group cricket; county Academy programmes; first class cricket; overall control of junior club sections; higher levels of school cricket
4. Coaches who are able to demonstrate coaching competence through other sources of accredited prior learning such as extensive involvement in the professional game
5. Overseas Coaching Qualifications approved by the ECB.

Additional experience and skill in some of these key areas is also extremely beneficial for coaches starting the Level 3 programme. Coaches who do not possess some of these may find it helpful to gain this sort of experience before they begin the course.

1. Using a questioning coaching style rather than simply telling players
2. Having a clear process when observing and analysing player’s performance
3. Having detailed technical and tactical knowledge in all disciplines
4. Having the experience of coaching in a number of different environments (different age groups, group work, one-to-one work and coaching a team)
5. Having experience of working in one-to-one situations

If you are in any doubt about your readiness to take part in the Level 3 programme, you should seek advice from your county cricket board or county coach’s association representative]. Details of these can be found here on the ECB website, the ECB CA yearbook or by contacting ECB Coach Education on 0121 440 1748.

Action Plan

After having read through the information above AND discussed your application with some or all of the recommended contacts, there will be several options open to you.

Option 1 – ready to apply so process your application with the ECB Coach Education office at Edgbaston

Option 2 – unable to commit to national course at this moment but ready to apply in the future

Option 3 – through self-reflection and feedback from others, recognise specific areas that need to be developed and seek to do this before applying. These areas may be developed through the opportunity to work alongside more experienced coaches in your local area, attendance at one or more ECB Coach Development Workshop or observation of specific sections on ECB CA Wings to Fly DVDs.

Option 4 – after thorough analysis of commitment, requirements and demands of course, decide not to apply.