The qualifications framework combines both the practical and theoretical, and is designed to support the aspirations of all people interested in coaching American football.
Flag Futures
The Flag Futures Qualification is targeted at young people aged between 14 and 18 years of age. The qualification focuses upon the non-contact version of American football, and is designed to provide a great introduction to the most accessible version of the game. Interest in Flag football is growing significantly and the one-day Flag Futures Qualification is perfect for young leaders and those seeking to support their community cadet team.
Flag for Teachers
The Flag for Teachers Qualification is targeted at trainee, newly qualified and experienced teachers, as well as organisations that deliver PPA on a regular basis in schools. The qualification is suitable for members of staff working in Primary, Secondary and 6th form colleges.
The qualification focuses upon the non-contact version of American football, and is designed to provide a great introduction to the most accessible version of the game. Interest in Flag football is growing significantly and the one-day Flag for Teachers Qualification is perfect for those working in schools who wish to introduce Flag American Football.
Flag for Community
The Flag for Community Qualification is targeted at existing players and coaches within our community / BUCS programmes that wish to develop links with schools and colleges to deliver Flag American Football.
The qualification focuses upon the non-contact version of American football, and is designed to provide a great introduction to the most accessible version of the game. The qualifications also focuses on the requirements to deliver in schools as well as specific considerations for delivery outside of your community programme.
BAFCA Level 1
This is the minimum level of coaching qualification to coach with BAFA’s community leagues and BUCS. The qualification is for both Contact and Flag coaches and gives an outline knowledge of coaching American Football, and enables the holder to introduce American Football and to assist a coach award holder (or above). Coaches that obtain their Level 1 qualification are covered by the association’s insurance for working unsupervised. However, it is recommended newly qualified coaches should work under the supervision of an experienced coach or minimum of a level 2 coach award holder.
Learners can expect to cover the following:
- Roles and responsibilities of the coach
- Duty of care
- Inclusive coaching practice
- Communication
- Coaching Process
- Health & Safety & Risk Assessments
- Emergency Action Plan
- Core fundamentals of Blocking and Tackling or Flag Fundamentals
BAFCA Level 2
This qualification is designed to prepare learners for deployment as independent positional coaches within an American Football programme. The award gives an overview of the foundations of sports coaching and a focus on the core fundamentals within the sport. Learners can expect to cover the following:
- The Coaching Process
- Roles and responsibilities of the coach
- Duty of care
- Nutrition and hydration
- Inclusive coaching practice
- Coaching styles and participant development
- Rules and regulations
- Continual Learning & Development
- Classroom Delivery – Scouting Breakdown
- Practice Planning
- Safe coaching practice
BAFCA Level 3
This qualification is designed to prepare aspiring coaches for deployment as coordinators within an American Football programme. This qualification is awarded by the British American Football Coaches Association. The qualification is supported by the NGB for American Football the British American Football Association.
Who is the course for?
The qualification is designed for any existing Level 2 American Football coaches wishing to develop coaching skills in American Football.
What’s the value of this course?
This course is ideal for learners who are seeking to move into Head Coaching positions in a variety of settings including working as a head coach within community clubs, BUCS, schools, colleges and beyond. Also, for those seeking to develop into coaching positions within BAFA’s National Programmes.
Learner eligibility
Learners must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be appropriately identified
- Hold a level 2 BAFCA coaching qualification
- Have experience of coaching the same group of players for at least two full seasons within the past 3 years at;
- International level
- Adult, Women’s, U19/U17 national league level,
- BUCS
- Be coaching and training the same team with regular training sessions and have competitive matched scheduled on a regular basis
- Be able to communicate effectively in English (this includes listening, speaking, reading and writing).
- Have access to a laptop, good WiFi and microphone to participate in virtual classroom sessions. Any special learning requirements must be made clear at the registration process
Assessment
To achieve the qualification, learners are required to have, in summary, assessed evidence of:
- The production of a performance profile for a minimum of three players or a team in American Football.
- The design and planning of a American Football coaching programme for a minimum of unit or a team, which should be based upon the outcome of the performance profile(s) developed.
- The production of a detailed plan of a discrete cycle or phase (minimum of eight weeks) associated with an aspect of the American Football coaching programme
- The production of a minimum of eight weeks of coaching session plans within the discrete cycle or phase (minimum of eight weeks) associated with an aspect of the American Football coaching programme
- The production of a recorded plan for the ongoing evaluation of the American Football coaching programme
- The production of a recorded plan for the ongoing performance and/or development review for either three players or a team; the plan should identify the methodology and timings for the ongoing review
- The delivery of a minimum of eight weeks of American Football coaching sessions within the discrete cycle or phase (minimum of eight weeks) associated with an aspect of the American Football coaching programme
- Submit a video to include to include the classroom delivery. This can either be a scouting breakdown, install or performance review
- Submit a video to include to include the scouting breakdown of an opponent
- Submit a video to include individual skill, team defence, team offence or special teams. This video will be required prior any assessment being conducted
- The delivery of a minimum of two American Football coaching sessions, which must be observed by an appropriately qualified assessor on separate occasions. One session must be a training session and the other session, a competitive game.
- Completion and evaluation of a 360 self coaching review provided by at least 5 players and 3 coaches.
Format
The level 3 course will be delivered virtually. Learners will have access to the British American Football Coaches Association e-learning platform to complete a series of learning tasks along with BAFCA’s Google platform to complete qualification portfolio tasks. Virtual classroom sessions will take place on a minimum of 4 occasions and will last for 2 hours in duration (each).