Level 2 Coach Accreditation

National Framework - 2019-20

BACKGROUND
The Level 2 Coach Accreditation is a blended learning program that consists of both online and face-to-
face course components. The program has been revised and adapted as a result of the redesign and
rollout of the CoachAFL Accreditation Model in 2018 and will continue to evolve and adapt over time.
Ultimately, CoachAFL will provide coaches with a suite of education and training resources specific to
the age groups and levels they are coaching, using a range of online, face-to-face and self-directed
learning modules.
The AFL is responsible for the development of the National Coach Accreditation Framework and
CoachAFL platform for accreditation and reaccreditation. The State/Territory Member Organisations
are endorsed to deliver the Level 2 Coach Accreditation across metropolitan and regional areas as
required.

COURSE REGISTRATION
COURSE FEES:
• Participant cost for Level 2 Coach Accreditation is $250

COURSE INFORMATION
TARGET COACHES
• Youth - Coaches who are involved in coaching U13-U18 age groups
• Senior - Coaches who are involved in coaching U18 and over age groups
NB: While States & Territories can conduct separate Level 2 face to face courses for Youth and Senior
coaches, they also have the option of conducting a combined course (with Youth and Senior Coaches
together). Course sessions can be streamed for each level and run concurrently where relevant and
feasible, i.e. practical on-field components and group work discussions based on age groups that the
participants are coaching.

PRE-REQUISITES
• CoachAFL membership and Foundation Coach accreditation
• Engaged as a coach in a community (including local club & school), talent or state league program*

*Elite athletes (State League, AFL) transitioning to coaching are required to complete the online
Foundation Coach Accreditation relevant to the age group they will be coaching. However, the AFL
provides the opportunity for these athletes to ‘fast track’ the coaching experience requirement by
recognising their knowledge and skills in the practical aspects of football.
*Experienced Coaches transitioning to football from a secondary sport, or with experience of working in
an educational environment, are required to complete the online Foundation Coach Accreditation
relevant to the age group they will be coaching. However, the AFL provides the opportunity for these
coaches to ‘fast track’ the coaching experience requirement by recognising their knowledge and skills in
the practical aspects of their sport.

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Level 2 Coach Accreditation
National Framework - 2019-20

RECOGNITION OF CURRENT COMPETENCY /RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL)

RPL is based on the awareness that people learn and develop competencies in many different ways
throughout their lifetime – through work experience and life experience as well as through education and
training. RPL considers a person’s skills and experiences, no matter where these were learnt, to enable
people to gain credit in a training program of study.

Individuals should apply in writing to the relevant State Coaching Manager providing evidence of relevant
education, qualifications and experiences.

PRE-COURSE REQUIREMENTS
• Prepare coaching philosophy using the template provided on acceptance to the course.
• View the “Designing Small Sided Games” videos on CoachAFL in preparation for the practical game
sense and constraints-based approach session at the face-to-face course
• Note: the online Positive Sports Coaching module is currently being updated and therefore not a
course pre-requisite at this time.

FACILITATOR REQUIREMENTS
• AFL Level 2 Coach Accreditation Course Overview
• A computer for PowerPoint Presentation
• Overhead or Data Projector and screen

COORDINATOR ORGANISATION FOR PRACTICAL COMPONENTS

• Facilitator: Participant ratio of 1:20
• Registration attendance sheets
• Coordination of players (14 years or over) for the practical sessions (encourage course participants
to bring their teams/players)
• Access to changing rooms and toilets
• Access to First Aid Kit, ice and phone for emergencies

THEORY ROOM REQUIREMENTS

• The theory area with the required number of chairs and tables should be close to the practical
activity area to ensure maximum learning time
• Data projector and screen (extension lead and power board may be required)
• Whiteboard, non-permanent markers and eraser

PRACTICAL SESSION REQUIREMENTS

• Players 14 years & over (where feasible)
• Oval/playing field/indoor venue
• Footballs, bump bags, ball pump, bibs, markers/cones

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Level 2 Coach Accreditation
National Framework - 2019-20

EACH PARTICIPANT TO RECEIVE

• AFL Level 2 Youth Coach Accreditation Course Overview
• Access to the Level 2 Youth Coach Accreditation portal on CoachAFL to access resources and
assessment tools
• ‘Coaching Better Every Season’ book by Wade Gilbert

RECOMMENDED FURTHER READING:

• The Art of Coaching – David Wheadon
• Groundwork: The Winning Edge - Glenn Wilkins and Craig O’Brien
• Groundwork Coaching Resources – Volumes 1-4 (Auskick, Junior, Youth, Senior)
[Link]

RECOMMENDED FURTHER LEARNING (Free online courses through Deakin University – Future Learn)
1. Team Coaching [Link]

Understand how to build a strong team

Coaches play an important role in establishing team culture, determining team goals and supporting
team members.
On this course, you’ll learn how to use a range of coaching principles and strategies to create a cohesive
and inclusive team environment.
You’ll analyse the role successful coaches play in creating and maintaining a positive and supportive
team culture.
You’ll identify some of the big challenge’s coaches face when working with new and established teams.
You’ll understand the importance of monitoring conflict, change and development in a team.
Topics covered
• frameworks to support working with new teams
• stages of team development
• the change cycle
• the team bank balance – building confidence
• the performance clock
• tracking the changing dynamic of conflict.

2. Player Centred Coaching [Link]

Develop your coaching skills with the player-centred approach

Coaching is a challenging practice which involves applying a range of techniques to get the best out a
team.
On this course, you’ll get an introduction to coach-centred and player-centred coaching principles and
evaluate the differences between them.
You’ll analyse the impact of using coach-centred and player-centred approaches on player development
and performance.
You’ll learn to distinguish between the art and science of coaching and apply this to your context.
You’ll discover how to use player-centred coaching principles in your practice, to enhance player and
team [Link] Video

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Level 2 Coach Accreditation
National Framework - 2019-20

Topics covered
• Use of Ken Wilber’s Integral Matrix to frame the differences between coach-and player-centred
approaches
• The importance of review and planning
• Success and failure
• Impact of different approaches on player development and performance
• Coaching with the intangible, invisible aspects of a player’s game in mind.
o Toolsets, Skillsets and Mindset
o The Art of Coaching – Player Centred v Coach Centred
o Learning Cycle
o Review Performance
o Process v Results
o Learning from Failure
o Self-Reflection
o Acknowledge Success
o Planning Phase
o Team vs Individual Goals
o Clash of Interests
o Performance-Based Outcomes
o Growing People and Performance
o Understanding Your Own Game
o Identifying and Overcoming Self Limiting Behaviours

EACH PARTICIPANT SHOULD BRING TO THE COURSE

• Writing material
• Suitable training attire for practical activity sessions
• Suitable footwear for outdoor or indoor training surfaces
• Whistle
• Sun protection, sunscreen and hat (if outdoors), water bottle and adequate refreshments

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Level 2 Coach Accreditation
National Framework - 2019-20

COMPETENCY STATEMENTS
Competency Themes Performance Element
Set the vision & strategy • Appreciate the big picture – understand your coaching context and
implications for your coaching programs
• Develop and effectively communicate a personal coaching
philosophy which articulates your purpose, principles and values
Shape the environment • Engage a mentor to assist with season planning, coaching practise
and growth as a coach across the course of a season.
• Understand and apply the principles of season planning including
reference to the six coaching competency themes
• Prepare a safe and effective environment for maximising learning
and improvement
Build relationships • Establish a positive team culture within and around the team and
club incorporating individual and team standards
• Build and maintain healthy connections with players, parents,
officials club coaching coordinator and committee members
• Understand and implement athlete wellbeing principles and
practises
Conduct practices & • Understand and apply skill acquisition principles to teach and
structure competitions develop advanced skills of Football
• Incorporate the principles of the demands of the game when
programming representative practise design.
• Demonstrate effective coaching practise and behaviours utilising
game sense and constraints-based approaches at training
• Apply the principles of Positive Sports Coaching in coaching practise
to improve player optimism and resilience
Read & react to the field • Apply advanced tactics and strategies of Football in a competitive
situation
• Observe, analyse and provide feedback – demonstrate effective
noticing skills of player and team in practice and competition and
offer feedback and instruction.
• Understand the principles of games analysis and supporting tools
such as video to capture moments of the game and teach principles
of play
• Apply the rules of Football in skill sessions and game strategy
planning
Learn & reflect • Self-reflect on coaching practise with the help of a Mentor including
a review of the season and actions to progress and improve
• Constantly seek opportunities for formal and informal learning to
ensure continuous growth
• Manage personal development and own health and well being

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Level 2 Coach Accreditation
National Framework - 2019-20

COURSE OVERVIEW
Module Competency Course Content Delivery Assessment
1 Set the Vision • Understanding your coaching context Online Module Submit Coaching
& Strategy • Youth Motivators Philosophy
• Preparing a coaching philosophy - Face to Face - upload to CoachAFL
articulating personal and team vision Workshop
and values
2 Shape the • Program Planning – developing a Face to Face Submit completed
Environment season plan incorporating the six Workshop Coaching Season
coaching competency elements Plan - upload to
• Off-Season, Pre-Season & In-Season CoachAFL
planning – goals & strategies
3 Build the • Developing effective team & club Face to Face Input during groups
Relationships culture Workshop discussions
• Healthy connections – with parents, Action relationship
players, coaching coordinators and building activities in
committee Season Plan
• Player Welfare/Management
4 Conduct • Skill development through game Face to Face Small group
Practices & sense and constraints-based Practical Session coaching tasks –
Structure approaches to develop an constraints-based
Competitions understanding of game phases – approach
contest, attack & defence. Mentor
observation of a Document
training session conversation in
• Effective Coaching Practise – group
incorporating a Mentor booklet
management, instruction,
constraints-based
demonstration, feedback and approach –
questioning techniques. complete template
5 Read and • Game Day Coaching – understand the Face to Face Video Analysis group
React to the demands of the game Workshop activity
Field • Game Analysis – apply game strategy Mentor Document
& tactics observation of conversation in
• Umpiring/Officiating matchday coaching Mentor booklet
– complete
template
6 Learn and • Reflective Practise Face to Face Submit completed
Reflect • Engaging a Mentor Coach to reflect Workshop Mentoring Booklet –
on coaching practise (training and upload to CoachAFL
matchday) Mentor post season
• Growth mindset – continuous conversation –
learning review of season

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 Level 2 Coach Accreditation
National Framework - 2019-20

Face to Face Course Component

Course overview and time allocation for the 1-day face to face component
Time Module Content Duration Delivery
8.20am Course Check-In 10 mins Zoe Slatter

8.30am Introduction • Course Overview & Assessment Tasks 10 mins Rick Coburn

8.40am Module 1 - Set the • Understanding your coaching context - 1 hour Craig Biddiscombe
vision & strategy Coaching Philosophy Elite Team Dynamics
• Planning & Programming – Season Plan
Module 2 – Shape Workshop – Facilitated
the environment learning

9:40 am Module 3 – Build • Developing Team Culture 1 hour Craig Biddiscombe

Relationships • Healthy connections – parents, club, Elite Team Dynamics
officials
Workshop – Facilitated
learning

10:40 am MORNING BREAK

11.00am Module 4 - Conduct 1. Good Coaching Practise – delivering 1.5 hours Tim Buszard
practices and effective training sessions Skill Acquisition, Essendon
structure 2. Skill development - game sense and FC

competitions constraints-based approaches Workshop – Facilitated

Representative practise design – learning
ensuring your training session replicates
what happens in the game
12.30pm LUNCH
1.00 pm Module 4 - Conduct • Teaching and Learning techniques – Theory Brendan McCartney
practices and How to set the environment & facilitate 1 hour Practical –
structure the learning using constraints-based
Coach Centred learning,
coaching to:
competitions i.e. participants
1. Develop an understanding of game Practical coaching in small
phases – contest, attack & defence 2 hours groups
Develop fundamental skills

4:00 pm AFTERNOON BREAK

4.15 pm Module 5 - Read • Game Day Coaching – 1 hour TBC – NAB
and react to the o Game Plan – strategy, tactics League/State
field o Team address & feedback League/AFL Coach
Game Analysis – Art & science of using Workshop -
numbers vs intuition Facilitated learning
5:15 pm Module 6 - Learn • Reflective Practise 45 mins Rick Coburn
and reflect • Engaging a Mentor Coach to reflect on
coaching practise (training and
Workshop - Facilitated
matchday)
learning
• Growth Mindset – continuous learning
• Planning & Programming – Session
Plan (TBC)
6.00pm FINISH

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Level 2 Coach Accreditation
National Framework - 2019-20

ASSESSMENT TASKS
To successfully satisfy the requirements for Level 2 each candidate will need to complete the following:

Module 1: Set the vision & strategy

1. Create and upload a coaching philosophy to CoachAFL
Module 2: Shape the environment
2. Develop and upload a completed Coaching Season Plan using the template provided and
workshopped at the face to face course – upload to CoachAFL.

Module 3: Build relationships

3. Input during group activity at the face to face workshop and inclusion of an activity to build
relationships with a key stakeholder group (players, parents, committee) as part of the Coaching
Season Plan.

Unit 4: Conduct practices and structure competitions

4. Complete the pre-course requirements – view small sided games videos and related article on
CoachAFL platform.

5. In small groups, design and present a game sense/constraints-based activity progression at the face
to face workshop

6. Engage a mentor/coach to observe you conducting a training session which incorporates a

constraints-based / game sense approach and have them complete and sign the Mentor
Observation - Training Session Template. Upload to CoachAFL after de-briefing.

Unit 5: Read and react to the field of play

7. Complete a games analysis activity around game day footage and feedback to a team at the face to
face workshop

8. Engage a mentor/coach to observe you coaching on matchday and have them complete and sign
the Mentor Observation - Matchday Coaching Template. Upload to CoachAFL after de-briefing.

Unit 6: Learn and reflect

9. Engage a mentor coach/es, meet and document 4 conversations across the season in the Level 2
Mentoring Booklet and submit after the post season review – upload to CoachAFL.

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Level 2 Coach Accreditation
National Framework - 2019-20

ASSESSMENT TASKS – AFLPA Level 2

To successfully satisfy the requirements for Level 2, each AFLPA candidate will need to complete the
following:

Module 1: Set the vision & strategy

1. Create and upload a coaching philosophy to CoachAFL
Module 2: Shape the environment
2. Input during group activity at the face to face course around the development of a Season Plan.

Module 3: Build relationships

3. Input during group activity at the face to face workshop around Team Culture and building healthy
relationships.

Unit 4: Conduct practices and structure competitions

4. Complete the pre-course requirements – view small sided games videos and related article on
CoachAFL platform.

5. In small groups, design and present a game sense/constraints-based activity progression at the face
to face workshop

6. Engage a mentor/coach to observe you conducting a training session which incorporates a

constraints-based / game sense approach and have them complete and sign the Mentor
Observation - Training Session Template. Upload to CoachAFL after de-briefing.

7. Observe an elite training session for a sport other than football and complete the Cross-Sport
Observation – Training Session Template — signoff by the Coach & upload to CoachAFL.

Unit 5: Read and react to the field of play

8. Complete a games analysis activity around game day footage and feedback to a team at the face to
face workshop

Unit 6: Learn and reflect

9. Engage a mentor coach, meet and document 2 conversations pre and post training session review
in the Level 2 AFLPA Mentoring Booklet and submit after the post session review – upload to
CoachAFL.