Coaching Accreditations: Which one should I have?
Whilst a lot of coaching knowledge can be gained informally, there are still lots of great reasons to obtain a formal coaching accreditation:
Meeting the requirements of your club or league;
Ensure you are across the latest methods for teaching basketball;
Developing new skills and knowledge to help the athletes you coach;
Opportunity to participate in Q&A with an experienced coach;
Networking with other coaches in your area
So which one do you need, according to your current team or future ambitions? In the following sections we outline the five Basketball Australia coaching accreditations - Community, Club, Association, Performance, and Master - and answer some FAQs about them.
Step 1: Community Level
The Community Coach accreditation one that all coaches should hold as a minimum prior to interacting with players, regardless of the level being coached.
Who requires it?
A Community Coach certification is recommended for all MBA Domestic coaches, and mandatory for all MBA Representative Coaches.
How is it delivered?
Within the course, coaches must complete:
A short online course
An in-person practical session (2 hours)
Coaches will learn how to…
Coach children safely and effectively, in line with Child Safe Standards
Structure a fun and developmentally-appropriate training session
Deliver games-based activities
Teach fundamental individual skills (Shooting, Dribbling, Passing, Defence, Footwork)
And many more areas!
Where and when can I find a course?
Basketball Victoria delivers multiple Community level courses in our area each year: check our calendar here for upcoming dates. You can also check their website for a full list of course locations.
Step 2: Club Level
The Club Coach accreditation provides domestic coaches and novice Representative coaches with a strong foundation in technical and tactical basketball principles, as well as being an effective leader of a basketball team.
Who requires it?
A Club Coach certification is highly recommended for Division 1 MBA Domestic coaches, and recommended for all other coaches within the MBA seeking to improve their knowledge.
It is a Basketball Victoria requirement that Head Coaches of VJBL Teams 1-3 and Big V programs hold a Club Coach certification, and recommended for all other coaches within VJBL and Big V programs.
How is it delivered?
Within the course, coaches must complete:
A longer online course
An in-person practical session (6 hours)
Coaches will learn how about…
Safe and effective delivery of training sessions
Communication with parents, athletes and officials
Individual skills relevant to the club player (Shooting, Dribbling, Passing, Defence, Footwork)
Motion offence principles such as alignments, cutting, screening, and receiver spots
Match-up defence principles such as positioning and rotations
Zone offences and defences
Offensive and defensive transition
Where and when can I find a course?
Basketball Victoria delivers multiple Club level courses in our area each year: check our calendar here for upcoming dates. You can also check their website for a full list of course locations.
Step 3: Association Level
Who requires it?
An Association Coach certification is highly recommended for VJBL first-team coaches and those coaches aspiring to be involved in:
BV State programs;
Big V Head Coach; or
VJBL U16+ First Teams
It is the highest level of accreditation awarded by Basketball Victoria.
How is it delivered?
Coaches are required to participate in four in-person workshops, and complete an assessment task such as submitting a video recording of them delivering a training session.
Coaches will learn how about…
Advanced skill development
Advanced tactical concepts
Basic sport science principles
Game analysis and management
Coaching tournaments
Where and when can I find a course?
Basketball Victoria delivers a limited number of Association courses each year: check their website here for upcoming dates.
Step 4: Performance Level
The Performance Coach accreditation is targeted towards coaches who aspire to be part of Basketball Australia’s national team programs (Junior and Senior) or hold key HP roles within their State/Territory.
Coaches will learn how about…
International style of play
Tactical principles relevant to the high performance coach
Advanced game management and video analysis
Coaching philosophies
Where and when can I find a course?
Basketball Australia delivers a very limited number of courses each year. Invitations to apply are generally limited to coaches involved within their State’s coaching pathway, but can arise as part of other BA coaching initiatives.
Step 5: Master Level
The Master level is an honorary accreditation, reserved for coaches who have achieved highly within Australian basketball. It’s so elusive, there’s not much more to be said about it!
FAQs
“I’m sure I did my Level 1 ages ago”
If you completed a course more than 10 years ago, when accreditations were numbered “Level 1”, “Level 2”, you have two options:
Find evidence of your course, and send it through to rob.coulter@basketballvictoria.com.au; OR
Start afresh - much like a first aid course, best practice changes over time.