accelerated level 1 courses

[grimsby archer]

Originally Posted by Whitehart

But IMO GNAS coaching should also recognise the need of clubs and members who do not want to be coaches but want to put beginners on the right path ready for the real coaches to take over at some point.

In my opinion the level1 course IS the minimum required to be allowed to teach beginners. I am of the thinking that it is better to teach them correctly and properly in the first place. Sadly (for my taste) too many beginners courses are run on the principal of "get them shooting and once they're hooked the real coaches will fix all the problems later"

There are many issues that are addressed by the level1 course that many (but not all) "experienced" archers do not consider when teaching a beginner.

[WhitehartFB]

Originally Posted by grimsby archer

In my opinion the level1 course IS the minimum required to be allowed to teach beginners. I am of the thinking that it is better to teach them correctly and properly in the first place. Sadly (for my taste) too many beginners courses are run on the principal of "get them shooting and once they're hooked the real coaches will fix all the problems later"

There are many issues that are addressed by the level1 course that many (but not all) "experienced" archers do not consider when teaching a beginner.

In this country there are far more leaders than level 1 coaches having a far greater influence on our sport than people realise. Last year I am told that GNAS received over £100K in fees for administration of Leaders courses. If this course is not good enough to allow the teacher to teach a beginner the basics why is it allowed to happen. If it is OK for everyone else then surely this level of accreditation should be offered within the GNAS structure.

[Rhys]

9 months? Exactly how many beginners courses do you want to run on the way to level 1?

[John (OSF)]

I am part of a group of 4 that teach archery at our local leisure centre, we started off as 3 leaders and 1 experienced archer but then decided to improve our course quality by becoming qualified as coaches (which we finished last year pre Lev2).

I was an experienced archer before taking the leader course (but still found some of it useful), it was the coach course that really improved my teaching and diagnostic skills. imho you can 'coast' through the course if you just want the ' ticket' but there is so much additional background info available and also opportunities to try things out, if you just ask

I agree that sometimes there's too much emphasis on the 'three-under and get them all shooting' approach rather than trying to encourage better form from the outset, but imho a group of coaches and experienced archers working together as a 'teaching team' would be the best for all concerned, and that's what we encourage at our weekly improvers session.
A drawback is that it can lead to conflict unless everyone's roles are clearly defined

What I'm trying to say is that even a 4 day course will improve ability/knowledge in some way, and if a person is willing to do it then they should be supported as it all helps our sport/hobby and that's what it's all about

[geoffretired]

I remember attending a two day course, followed by several follow up sessions, to become a student teacher mentor. That gave me some guidance with mentoring student teachers on teaching practice in the school where I worked.With in a year or so the course was shrunk to a half day!!
The longer course had, from my school, me as the sole attendee.
The shorter course had four or five from the same school.
I had to wonder what I had wasted my time listening to and working on, that could be done without so soon afterwards.

[Woodie]

As a level 1 coach (trained as assistant coach) I think we have missed the point of the new system by focussing on days of course work when we should be focusing on time spent "on the job" working with an experienced coach. I have decided not to do club coach/level2 at present since it entails about 6 weekends and will cost me in excess of £800 to to do it.
In my previous existance working in the oil industry I took aprentices through The NVQ system as both 'coach' and assessor with the training done on the job. An internal assessor confirmed the content of the candidate's log and my assessments met the criteria before sending it to the external assessor. The point here is that having been aproved as a D32/33 NVQ assessor I did not need someone externally to do another assessment.
IN GNAS why do we not trust those aproved as level 1 instructors and assessors by insisting on a second external assessment?

It is interesting also to note what level 1 entails in other countries

http://www.archery.org.au/lib/pdf/ncp010805.pdf


Level 1

[Robin the Hood]

Originally Posted by Woodie

IN GNAS why do we not trust those aproved as level 1 instructors and assessors by insisting on a second external assessment?
Level 1

At last....I have seen the word 'Instructor' used. A long time ago, that was what we referred to the 'Coach level 1' as, and what a better explanation and understanding it gave in just one word....
The problem I find is that being called a Coach especially at level 1, many think that they are qualified to just walk on a field and do just that 'Coach'.
I do wish that it never changed, because there are a number of higher level coaches who do have the knowledge and skill of coaching to be qualified for the title.....

Paul

[TWIW]

Originally Posted by Meddler

The Leader qualification is not a Coaching qualification that is recognised within GNAS. It is a "Community Sports Leader award in archery". This qualification is recognised for use in sports centres and voluntary organisations (Scouts Guides etc), as a minimum qualification.

The Level 1 course is for use within GNAS, and is the starter level of a Coaching qualification, within the UKCC qualification. The time taken to get the Level 1 is longer than other sports, because we are a more technical and technique oriented sport, with a lot of potential for damage if you get it wrong. You need to know best practice before you can teach beginners effectively. And a Level 1 Coach should be working hand in hand with a more experienced Coach.

It does not equip someone to go out and Coach an archer to MB level, as it is out of the box. It is meant to be used to give new archers a safe introduction to the sport. It is roughly equivalent to the old Assistant Coach award.

It is however based around on-the-job training with real archers - as opposed to pretending that your colleagues on the course are beginners. There is a lot of stuff to learn on the course which is there for a reason.

If you don't believe the qualification is worth it, don't go for it.

If you go through the course and ignore everything you learn on that course, it demeans everything that I, all the people on the NSG who are developing the Level 1-5 courses and my Coaching colleagues stand for.

Why is it taking 9 months though Iain? I know I've done the Assessor's course but 9 months to teach beginners?

[TWIW]

Originally Posted by TJ Mason

Phrasing it as 9 months' effort is misleading. A Level 1 course takes 6 days spread over 3 to 6 months - typically one day a month for 6 months..

Why so long. This is a simple course? Get it over and done with as soon as possible

[TWIW]

Originally Posted by John (OSF)

I am part of a group of 4 that teach archery at our local leisure centre, we started off as 3 leaders and 1 experienced archer but then decided to improve our course quality by becoming qualified as coaches (which we finished last year pre Lev2).

I was an experienced archer before taking the leader course (but still found some of it useful), it was the coach course that really improved my teaching and diagnostic skills. imho you can 'coast' through the course if you just want the ' ticket' but there is so much additional background info available and also opportunities to try things out, if you just ask

But you did the Coaches course John Not the Level 1