ASSIGNMENT 1 - LEARNING LOG

PART 1 – Beginning Coaching General Principles Certificate (ASC 2010 BCGPC online).

Part 2: Skill and skill analysis.

2. Skill, in the context of coaching sport is the ability to perform a learned physical task

while adapting to the constraints of the environment through practice.

3. The skill I have chosen is putting from the sport of golf.

4a. The skill of putting is a closed skill. It is a closed skill because it is performed in an

expected setting. The individual carrying out the putting stroke is free to complete the skill

without having to make rapid evaluation of the situation (Schmidt 1982 cited in Kreighbaum

& Barthels 1996:301).

4b. The skill of putting is a discrete skill. It is a discrete skill because it has a definite

beginning and ending. The skill of putting has three phases; a preparation phase, an

execution phase followed by the follow through phase ((Kreighbaum & Barthels 1996:301).

4c. The overall performance objective (OPD) of putting is to hit the golf ball precisely enough

so it goes in the hole. When the ball is struck too hard, too soft or on the incorrect line the ball

will fail to go in the hole. Therefore, the whole process would have to be started again in a

more accurate fashion.

4d. The discrete parts of the putting stroke are as follows:

i) The backswing: The backswing begins with the first visible movement of the hands

and arms in a backwards motion, and ends when the arms and hands stop moving

in a backwards motion.

ii) First part of follow through: The first part of the follow through begins with the

first noticeable forward movement of the hands and arms and finishes just before

the putter impacting with the golf ball.

iii) Impact: Impact begins with the first observable contact the putter makes with the

golf ball and finishes when the ball makes its first evident advance towards the

target (the golf hole).

iv) Second part of follow through: The second part of the follow through starts when

the golf ball leaves the putter head and ends when the arms and hands have stopped

moving in a forward motion towards the target.

5. The concerns associated with analysing skill reported in the literature are as follows:

i) The first concern when analysing skills by means of using image analysis

techniques such as cinematography and videography is the need for sport specific

recording equipment and analysis processes. The above equipment needs to be

reliable and suitable so that the data collected is accurate (Bloomfield, Ackland &

Elliott 1994:16). The purchase of the equipment and software that is needed for

successful analysis is extremely expensive.

ii) The second concern linked with analysing skill and the use of image analysis

techniques is that the coach needs to ensure that the equipment gives accurate,

consistent and adaptable pictures and information (Foran 2001: 46-47). This

requires the coach to be experienced with this type of technology which is forever

changing.

iii) The third concern with analysing skill and using image analysis techniques is how

time consuming and tedious collecting and analysing the data can be (Bloomfield,

Ackland & Elliott 1994:16). The athlete needs to have the correct markings and be

set up correctly to ensure the film collected is accurate and can be compared

appropriately to supplementary data.

TITLE

An Analysis of Safe Coaching Practice and Risk Management

Unit EDPE243 Movement and Skill

Annette Freak

Semester 2, 2010

Report by Julie Papps

Due: Friday September 3, 2010

Introduction:

In Australia coaches have a legal commitment to provide reasonable care and ensure that

participants are protected from preventable injury and illness (Petit: 2006). Safe coaching practice

involves risk management and safety (Petit: 2006; Australian Sports Commission: 2010). Risk

management is defined by NSW Department of Sport and Recreation (2010 online) as a course of

action that is taken to minimise potential legal liability. Safe coaching practice also involves

preventing injury and illness through the use of different policies procedures and practices that

need to be followed. (Petit: 2006; ASC 2010 BCGPC online; NSW Department of Sport and

Recreation 2010; Australian Sports Commission 2010) indicate such policies and procedures to

include:

• Child Protection

• Anti discrimination

• A coaches’ code of ethics

• A player’s code of conduct

• The sun smart policy

• Smoke free policy

There are also several practices that should be followed to ensure safe coaching practice. Petit

(2006); ASC (2010 BCGPC online) show such practices to include:

• Conducting working with children checks on all coaching staff whether paid or

volunteer.

• Having all participants complete health questionnaires.

• Prior planning of training sessions.

• Providing a safe environment by checking the practice area, equipment and facilities

prior to each session.

• Coaches providing close supervision.

• Developing clear rules for activities and conduct and ensuring participants follow these

rules.

• Keeping accurate records.

• Warming up prior to activity, and cooling down after activity.

• Coaching staff need to know minor incident management procedures.

The aim of this report is to compare the theory of the policies, procedures and practices listed

above with how the coach applies them to the golf coaching clinic.

Methods:

The processes and procedures that were used to gather information about the coach’s practices

included a face to face interview with the coach and observation of two coaching clinics. Prior to

the interview a list of questions relating to safe coaching practice was prepared. The questions that

were asked in the interview were as follows:

• How long has the coach been coaching for?

• What coaching experience does the coach have?

• What accreditation does the coach hold?

• What is the coaches understanding of safe coaching practice?

• What steps does the coach take to ensure the clinic area is safe?

• What does the coach do to ensure children feel safe and protected while attending the

clinic?

• Does the coach have a session plan organised for each clinic session? If so what does

this plan entail?

• What practices does the coach follow to prevent injury or illness?

• What would the coach do if a child was injured under his care?

Following the interview with the coach field observations were collected over two sessions. The

first session observation was made of the setup of the clinic area and the actual clinic session. The

second field observation included taking photographs of the important safety aspects of the clinic

session when possible.

Results:

Child Protection:

As shown in Appendix A, the coach and staff working at the golf course where the clinic sessions

are held, whether paid or volunteer, have all had working with children checks completed. This is

to avoid children coming in contact with possible prohibited persons.

Pre-participation screening:

As noted in Appendix A, the coach advised in the interview that the participants are not required

to complete a medical history form prior to the first clinic session. The coach stated that “parents

usually advise him if there are any medical conditions that need to be addressed”.

Sun smart and smoke free:

During the interview the coach explained during summer all clinic participants must wear a hat

and sunscreen and should also carry a drink. The coach also mentioned that smoking is not

permitted on the golf course premises.

Session setup:

From the information collected in the interview and field observations, the coach believes that the

most important aspect of safe coaching practice is session set up. The coaching area needs to be

set up effectively to ensure participants safety. This is supported in appendixes A and B and

shown in Fig 1 below.

This photo shows the safety aspects of the clinic area.

Fig 1. Shows participants of golf clinic standing within their nominated stations.

The red cones define the

individual station areas.

They are positioned far

enough apart so each

player has enough room to

swing.

Each participant’s

golf clubs are safely

behind each

individual station.

The red cones are also

used to contain each

participant’s golf balls.

Session Plan:

The coach organises a session plan prior to each session. The coach follows the ‘pumpgolf’

training session format supplied by the Professional Golfers Association (PGA).

The session plan used during the first field observation is shown in Fig 2 below (Professional

Golfers Association Australia: 2010: 17):

SKILL:

Learning to read the green and gain a better understanding of the break. DRILL:

1. Rolling a ball across the green to a partner with feet sprawled open, trying to make the ball finish within your partners feet. GAMES: ‘Lowest Wins’

- Rolling a ball around a 6 hole putting course trying to read the greens. - 6 hole competition seeing who can play the 6 holes in the least amount of rolls.

EQUIPMENT:

Putting green, golf balls, putting hole signs. Fig. 2. Sample session plan.

Rules and Procedures for Safety:

As shown in Appendixes A and B the coach ensures that each participant knows the safe play

rules before the session begins.

Fig 3 below shows the coach explaining the rules and expectations of the coaching session.

Fig. 3 shows participants learning the rules prior to training session.

While observing the clinic session one participant ran out from the individual station he was

allocated to re-hit a poorly hit golf ball. The coach advised the participant immediately that the

participant was breaking the rules and that the participant needed to return to his station.

Fig.4 Participant breaking coaches rules.

Coach explaining

rules and session.

Participant’s

listening to

instructions.

Participant in correct

station but could

potentially hit

participant outside the

station area.

The participant leaving

the station area to hit

golf ball.

Marked

individual station

To avoid injury the coach ensures all participants put the golf clubs on the ground and that all

participants go on to the field to collect golf balls together.

Fig 5 below shows this:

Fig.5 shows all participants picking up golf balls together.

Involving Parents:

The coach ensures that participants are dropped off and picked up by their parents directly to and

from the clinic area. This is to ensure child safety and is explained further is appendix A.

Fig.6. A parent picking up participant after training session.

Discussions:

An important part of safe coaching practice is child protection. NSW Sport and Recreation (2008)

advise that coaches have a legal and moral responsibility to keep children safe from abuse and to

protect them from people who are unsuitable to work with children. As shown in the results above

and in Appendix A the coach and staff, whether paid or voluntary, have all undergone working

with children checks. Another way the coach follows the child protection policy is to have parents

drop off and pick up participants from the actual clinic area, rather than picking participants up

from the car park. Therefore, the participants are never left alone.

Petit (2006) reveals that coaches need to ensure they choose activities suitable to each individual

participant and should be aware of any health issues or medical conditions the participant’s might

All participants and coach picking up golf

balls together. This avoids injury if a

participant ran out in front of another.

The plastic cones are also used to collect

the golf balls to keep them contained.

There are no golf clubs taken with the

participants when collecting the golf

Participant

Parent

Coach

have. To obtain this information participants should be asked to complete a medical history form

when joining the sport (Petit: 2006). This information aids coaches should an emergency ever

arise. As demonstrated in the results, the coach advised that participants are not required to

complete a medical history form when joining. The coach stated the reason for this is because

“parents usually inform the coach of any medical conditions participants may have”. This is not

ideal as the coach does not have any participants medical information in writing, thus, can not call

on the information if or when required.

When conducting a safe coaching clinic, the Professional Golfers Association Australia (2010: 13)

recognise the key considerations to consider include allowing sufficient room to hold the session,

following a session plan, explaining rules to participants prior to the start of the session and being

aware of safety issues at all times. To ensure the hitting area is safe the coach should ensure there

are sufficient designated hitting areas, exclusion zones and watching zones. The Professional

Golfers Association (2010:13) advises it is also advisable to create a defined line at the front of

the hitting zone. This indicates to the participants where no one is allowed to cross. The results

show that the coach achieves a safe coaching area by setting up individual hitting stations and

advising participants of the rules prior to each coaching session.

The coach also follows a detailed session plan as shown above, therefore, each clinic is organised

prior to each session starting. While the coach does not use a rope line as such to define where

participants can not cross, the plastic cones used to identify individual hitting stations as shown in

Fig. 1 signify this line appropriately.

(ASC 2010:online:m3; Petit 2006: 55) report that certain sun smart techniques should be

followed, such as, wearing a hat and sunscreen and drinking constantly to avoid heat triggered

illness. The coach advised that participants in the clinic sessions are reminded of the above

techniques constantly during the warmer months.

Conclusion:

Overall the strategies used by the coach are very appropriate in comparison to the policies,

procedures and practices noted above. As demonstrated in the results and discussions, the coach

ensures the safe setup of each clinic session by checking the playing area and equipment, using

appropriate safety instruments and aids and follows sun smart and smoke free techniques. In

addition the coach sets out a detailed session plan prior to each coaching session to ensure each

clinic is structured and organised. The coach adequately follows child protection rules and

legislation by ensuring all staff have working with children checks completed (NSW Sport and

Recreation: 2008; Petit: 2006).

Apart from the coach not having health questionnaires completed by participants, the coach’s

strategies compare very well to the overall policies, procedures and practices discussed in the

literature.

REFERENCES

Australian Sports Commission 2010. Beginning Coaching General Principles Course. Retrieved 21 July

2010 from https://learning.ausport.gov.au/uploads/certificates/originals/%7B1956c8e0-1c39-

4371-a362-a967ae3df1e8%7D.pdf

Australian Sports Commission 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2010 from

http://www.ausport.gov.au/participating/officials/tools/safety_and_ethics/Safety

Kreighbaum, E. & Barthels, D. 1996, ‘Observing and analyzing performance’, in Biomechanics, Allyn &

Bacon, Boston, pp. 300 – 312.

Foran, B. 2001, High performance sports conditioning. Retrieved 24 August 2010 from

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=9OYzJTKdaD8C&pg=PA46&dq=sport+skill+analysis&hl=

en&ei=5Z5_TLD0OojsvQOY6KnAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CEA

Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=sport%20skill%20analysis&f=false

NSW Department of Sport and Recreation 2008, Child protection in sport and recreation, 3rd

edn, NSW

Sport and Recreation. Retrieved 24 August 2010 from

http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/assets/pubs/wwcc/cp_clubguide.pdf

Professional Golfers Association Australia (2010) Pump Golf Resource Manual, PGA Australia.

APPENDIX

Appendix A:

Interview transcript with coach.

EDPE243 MOVEMENT AND SKILL

INTERVIEW OF ACCREDITED COACH

Find out what policies, procedures and practices they use to prevent injury and illness.

Questions:

1. What coaching experience do you have and how long have you been coaching for? The coach has been coaching in a professional manner for 20 years. The coach teaches anyone from beginner to

junior classes, ladies and men’s clinics, to advanced players including professionals. The coach currently coaches a

player who is a two time winner on the Ladies European Golf Tour.

The coach holds AAA accreditation.

2. Do you have a session plan organized for each clinic session you hold? If so what does this plan involve? The coach has been coaching for many years and basically follows the ‘pumpgolf’ training session format supplied by

the Professional Golfers Association (PGA).

An example of this session plan is as follows:

SKILL:

Learning for to read the green and gain a better understanding of the break.

DRILL:

1. Rolling a ball across the green to a partner with feet sprawled open, trying to make the ball finish within your

partners feet.

GAMES:

‘Lowest Wins’

- Rolling a ball around a 6 hole putting course trying to read the greens.

- 6 hole competition seeing who can play the 6 holes in the least amount of rolls.

EQUIPMENT:

Putting green, golf balls, putting hole signs.

3. What is your understanding of Safe Coaching Practice?

The coaches understanding of Safe Coaching Practice is that it all starts with safety in the set up. Before the

participants arrive for the clinic the coach sets up stations which are defined by plastic cones. This shows the

participants the boundaries of their individual stations.

He also has the teaching aids he will require set up before starting in a separate stationed off area.

Safe coaching practice also means being organised for the session prior to the day. Each child is given a quick run

down at the end of the session the previous week on what they will be working on in the next session.

It is also important to ensure that the kids know the rules before they start each session. The coach goes over these

quickly prior to starting the clinic each week.

The coach does not have participants fill out a medical form before starting in the clinics. He does have contact

details for all parents and carers. The coach advised that parents usually advise him if there are any medical

conditions that need to be addressed.

4. What steps do you take to ensure the clinic area is safe?

- As mentioned above the coach makes sure each individual station is marked off before the kids arrive. He also has

all training aids set out in a particular area.

- The coach gets the kids to sit down for the first few minutes to explain the rules that need to be followed and also

what they will be covering in that particular session.

- Once the kids actually pick up a golf club when the coach is showing how to do something he actually gets the kids

to hold the golf club by the club head instead of the grip so the dangerous part of the club is in their hand.

- When the golf balls that have been hit need to be picked up, the coach asks everyone to put the clubs down and

everyone goes out together and picks them up to avoid anyone getting hit.

5. What do you do to ensure children feel safe and protected while attending the clinic?

The procedures the coach follows to ensure participants feel safe include:

- Having a Junior Development Officer as part of the club so the kids can approach him with any problems or

questions. He is a first year trainee professional who has only recently finished in the junior ranks himself so

can relate to the kids quite well.

- Parents are required to walk the kids to the clinic area to drop them off not just drop them in the car park.

The coach walks with the kids altogether back to the pro shop where parents are waiting to pick up their

kids. If the parents aren’t there when its time to finish the kids have to wait inside the pro shop with the staff

and if it is a reasonable amount of time the coach will call the parents.

- The coach and staff working in the pro shop have all had working with children checks done.

- The kids know the rules are they are reminded of these rules prior to each session.

6. What practices do you follow to prevent injury or illness?

- Ensuring the clinic area is set up appropriately to ensure players are far enough apart so as not to hit each other.

- Having rules in place that all participants are aware of and adhere to.

- The coach starts with warm up stretching before hitting any shots to ensure muscles are warm. This is followed up

with some little short chip type shots to get the body used to the movement of hitting the golf ball.

- Having a policy that if participating on hot days that everyone is wearing a hat, sunscreen and has a bottle of water

handy. On cold days ensuring everyone is rugged up appropriately and not having much downtime between activities

for the kids to cool down too much.

7. What would you do if a child was injured in your care?

- Assess injury and follow RICE procedure.

- There is access to an accredited first aid person on the premises at all times.

- There is access to a first aid kit and oxygen if necessary.

- Contact parent to advise of injury.

8. Do you have any children in your clinic with a disability? If so what strategies do you use to include them in

the clinic?

The coach has taught several kids with disabilities. He assesses their capabilities prior to starting the clinic. He has

them join in the clinic with all other participants. They have their own station and are made to feel welcome and

included like all other participants. Their equipment can be slightly modified so they can participate in most activities

with everyone else. Participants with walking difficulties are not required to go and pick up all the golf balls they are

given another task of filling in the divots made by everyone at their station with sand while everyone goes out and

picks up the balls. This way they are felt included and have a job like everyone else.

9. How do you include parents in your structure? Parents are welcome to come and watch, listen and help at any clinic session. When the kids participate in actually

playing a round of golf parents are encouraged to walk around with the group and help with rules, counting scores

and course etiquette.

The coach collects parent’s phone numbers and emails to keep them up to date on when different skills tests are

coming up, when school holiday golf days are being held and to communicate different general information that

parents need to know.

Appendix B:

Field Observation Notes

The golf clinic today was on a particular skill of putting. I arrived at the clinic site about 15 minutes before the session

started. Coach A had the area set up into different individual stations that were far enough apart so that each child had

enough room to putt a golf ball without encroaching on another participants swing area. These individual stations

were marked with plastic cones.

There were 5 different stations. Each individual station also had a training aid placed at it. Each individual station had

a different training aid.

When the participants arrived the coach got the participants to sit down and explained the following:

1. Rules of safety to ensure everyone stays safe.

Eg: - Everyone is to stay within their marked stations unless told otherwise.

- Golf clubs are to stay on the ground until told by coach A to pick them up. If you are not using the golf club

but it is in your hand you are to hold the club by the head end instead of the grip end therefore the

dangerous part of the club is in the participant’s hand.

2. Reminded the participants on the importance of looking after the equipment and golf course.

- After the explanation the coach got the participants to roll a ball from their individual stations to the golf hole they

were assigned to.

- Coach A then told the participants to pick up their golf clubs and he showed them how to hold the golf club (putter)

properly. Coach A went to each individual station and looked at each participant individually and corrected their grip.

- The coach rotated through each station and gave positive feedback when good shots were hit and gave constructive

feedback and showed participants how to improve on the next shot when poor shots were hit.

- After each participant had had their two shots the coach told participants to put all clubs down and everyone went

and collected their two balls together. This activity was repeated 5 times until all participants felt comfortable with

their efforts. A couple of the participants tried to run out and pick up their balls before they were told but the coach

pulled them up instantly.

- After the last attempt at the previous activity the coach introduced all of the different training aids at each individual

station. He rotated through each station and showed the participants how to use each aid. Once again the participants

were given two balls each and were advised that they would rotate through each station but were to stay where they

are until advised to move to the next station. This exercise ran smoothly with the coach observing and helping where

needed.

- After they all rotated through each station coach A asked each participant what they learned from each teaching aid.

- The last exercise was a 4 hole competition. Each participant had to stand at a different plastic cone and put to a

different hole and rotate through each station but was not to move until the player in front of them had moved to the

next station. Each player had only one ball and their goal was to get around the 4 holes with a score of 8 or better,

which equates to 2 shots / hole or better. This gave each participant the pressure of competition while still in a clinic

setting. This competition was undertaken for two rounds. Once again the participants followed instructions.

- The coach then advised that this was the end of the session and everyone had to pack up their individual stations and

return all equipment to one central area. Once the area was packed up the coach explained what next week’s session

would involve and what shots they will be practicing.

- All participants walked back to the pro shop where all parents were waiting to pick up their children.

NOTE: Coach kept participants interested by keeping them busy with different activities and being able to

participate at the same time, therefore avoiding participants getting bored and messing around.