The Level 3 Performance Development Coach course is for coaches who are working with athletes between 16 and 19 years of age (Training II Stage of the FIT Development Model) and are looking to commence specialisation in a chosen event group and compete at regional, state or national-level competitions. 

To succesfully complete this level of accreditation, coaches are required to complete a four-day course in addition to pre- and post- course work that must be completed and submitted online. 

The course aims to empower coaches to design and lead effective training programs based on peer-reviewed evidence and the knowledge and experience from leading Australian coaches. The focus of the course will be on planning and achieving long-term development of athlete performance, with an eye for establishing positive training habits that will prepare athletes for the elite pathway.  

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The Level 3 Performance Development Coach course aims to empower coaches to design and lead effective training programs based on peer-reviewed evidence and the knowledge and experience from leading Australian coaches.

The focus of the course will be on planning and achieving long-term development of athlete performance, with an eye for establishing positive training habits that will prepare athletes for the elite pathway.  

 

Target Coaching Audience

• Senior Athletics club coaches
• High School athletics coaches
• Physical Education teachers
• Private Track and Field coaches
• Coaches specialising in an event-group and working with athletes aiming to compete at state and national-level competitions

 

Target Athletes

This course focusses on coaching athletes between 15 and 21 years of age, specialising in a preferred event group and aiming to compete at state and/or national-level competitions in the U15, U16, U17, U18, U20, and/or Open age categories.

FIT Model

This course gives coaches the required skills and knowledge to coach athletes in the following phases of the FIT Model of Development.

• Training II (Specific)

 

Requirements

To gain a Level 3 Performance Coach accreditation, a coach must meet the following criteria:

• Be 18 years or older.
• Hold the Level 2 Development Coach accreditation.

 

Course Components

The Level 3 Performance Coach accreditation has three key components: 

PART 1: THEORY	Practical course (DAY 1) Attend a two-day face-to-face course (DAY 1 & 2) Online course  Complete the Level 3 Core online modules. Assessment tasks  Complete a multiple choice assessment. Complete a self-reflection task.
PART 2: EVENT-SPECIFIC	Event-Specific practical course Attend a two-day face-to-face course in your chosen discipline (DAY 3 & 4): Middle & Long Distance Sprints, Relays, & Hurdles Jumps Throws Trail and Ultra Marathon Event-Specific online modules Complete the Level 3 Event-Specific online module (in your chosen discipline): Assessment task Complete a short answer assessment. Create a seasonal plan. Complete the practical coaching assessment (signed off by an approved assessor). We strongly recommended that the assessor supervises the coach for the duration of a season (1 year) before signing.
PART 3: ADDITIONAL LEARNING	Elective modules Accumulate 50 Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points through the successful completion of online courses focused on various performance-related subjects.

 

Course Content

Common Theory (Practical Modules)

• Definining Your Coaching Philosophy and Principles
• Mobility and Flexibility
• Load Management
• Plyometric Testing
• Aspects of Personality
• Planning
• Myofascial Release and Mobility
• Strength and Conditioning
• Pool Sessions (Deep Water Running)

Common Theory (Online Modules)

• Anatomy
• Introduction to Biomechanics
• Applied Biomechanics to Track and Field
• Role of the Coach in Athlete Well-being
• Injury Prevention and Sport Safety
• Psychological Factors Associated with Return to Sport from Injury
• Loading, Adaptation, and Recovery
• Nutrition, Hydration, and Energy Availability
• Planning and Periodisation
• Plyometrics and Complex Training
• Skill Acquisition
• Introduction to Sport Psychology

 

Required Competencies

3-PD-1: Design an effective season training program for an athlete targeting entry in the national Junior or Open Championships

3–PD-2: Effectively prepare and deliver warm up, mobility exercises, event-specific drills, strength and conditioning (including plyometrics), active recovery and pool sessions in an athlete’s training program. 

3–PD-3: Prescribe and monitor a training program that develops the biomotor abilities of athletes, with consideration of the priorities of their event group. 

3–PD-4: Understand the roles and responsibilities of athletes and coaches in regards to anti-doping.

3–PD-5: Understand methods to monitor and effectively manage training load for optimal performance and injury prevention.

3–PD-6: Use basic sports psychology techniques to optimise athlete performance. 

3–PD-7: Understand the basics of human anatomy and how it relates to athletic performance. 

3–PD-8: Have an advanced understanding of the selected event-group, including drills, faults, cause and corrections. 

3–PD-9: Use a range of methods, including using technology, to effectively analyse and provide feedback on an athlete’s technical model. 

3–PD-10: Use a range of coaching methods in the preceeding weeks and on the day to prepare an athlete for optimum performance at a target competition. 

 

Associated High Performance Pathway

Coaches working with athletes in the Target Talent Program.

 

Recognition of Prior Learning

Coaches who already hold the expected competencies of this level of accreditation can apply for recognition of prior learning here.