Overview
The 1st4sport Level 3 Certificate in Coaching Squash (QCF) is awarded by 1st4sport Qualifications and has been developed in partnership with the National Source Group for Squash. This qualification is not available in Scotland, although an equivalent version will be available from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
The 1st4sport Level 3 Certificate in Coaching Squash (QCF) is regulated at Level 3 on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) and forms part of squash’s UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC) endorsed coach education programme. For further information on the regulated status of the 1st4sport Level 3 Certificate in Coaching Squash (QCF), please log on to The Register of Regulated Qualifications website. For further information on the UKCC, visit sports coach UK.
Criteria
If you are over 18 years of age and hold the 1st4sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Squash or recognised equivalent, then the 1st4sport Level 3 Certificate in Coaching Squash (QCF) is designed for you.
Why Study?
It forms part of a structured and progressive programme of sports coaching and other related qualifications, offering you access and involvement in introducing others to the sport of squash.
What can I use it for?
- To gain paid or unpaid employment as a qualified senior squash coach.
- As part of the development of a credible CV for employment in the sport, recreation and allied occupations industry.
Outline
On successful completion of the 1st4sport Level 3 Certificate in Coaching Squash (QCF), you should:
- understand the principles of safe and equitable coaching practice
- understand the fundamentals of coaching programmes
- understand the principles of planning coaching programmes
- understand how to support participants’ lifestyles through coaching programmes
- understand how analyse participants’ performance and set programme goals in squash
- be able to plan coaching programmes in squash
- be able to manage safe and effective squash coaching programmes
- be able to deliver squash coaching programmes
- be able to develop participants’ performance in squash
- be able to monitor and evaluate squash coaching programmes
- be able to develop coaching practice in squash.
How will my learning programme be structured?
Learning programmes are usually designed by the recognised centre that delivers the qualification. They may, therefore, vary in length and format. Depending on your needs, delivery centres can offer intensive courses, or a series of learning events, over a period of weeks. Whatever the timescale, all learning programmes should include the following phases:
- an induction to the qualification and your programme of learning and assessment
- a learning programme that meets your needs, focusing on the theory and practice of coaching squash
- a programme of assessment, spread throughout the course, including observations of your coaching by an appropriately qualified assessor.
At the end of the programme, you will be provided with formal feedback on your performance and an action plan for your further development.
Assessment
The 1st4sport Level 3 Certificate in Coaching Squash (QCF) assessment will require you to:
- answer a series of open-response and multiple-choice questions/tasks relating to the following areas:
- fundamental coaching knowledge
- coaching and learning styles
- protection of children and vulnerable adults
- anatomy and physiology
- components of fitness
- participant skill development
- sports psychology
- nutrition and hydration
- drugs in sport
- be able to benchmark components of squash performance with players you plan to coach
- produce planning documentation relating to the players you plan to coach; from annual programme plans to individual session plans (a minimum of two players are required to be coached)
- deliver a short presentation evaluating the process you followed when completing the initial planning process
- be observed conducting some individual coaching practice
- deliver a phase or multiple phases of the coaching programme with a minimum of two players
- deliver a short presentation evaluating the process you followed when completing the coaching delivery
- be observed delivering an individual player coaching session
- be observed delivering a group coaching session
- create a continuous professional development (CPD) plan for post-course improvements in coaching practice.
Fees
Recognised centres offering this qualification determine their own fees, and they will vary from centre to centre. The fees charged should entitle you to a programme of learning and assessment, registration and certification for the qualification, a 1st4sport Learner Pack and an appropriate learning resource. For further information on the costs of courses, please contact a recognised centre. Opportunities for funding may be available via a recognised centre, if you are eligible.
Next Steps
The qualification is only delivered by 1st4sport Qualifications’ recognised centres, not all of which offer open courses to members of the public. Your first port of call to access a course is to check the recognised centre finder.
