About The Program - The British Kendo Association Coaching Program

BKA coaches must develop these five key areas of expertise in order to coach effectively:

Technical Knowledge/Competence/Maturity

This element is to be addressed by stipulating the minimum grade and the minimum age a candidate can be before being eligible to apply for a coaching award

BKA Coaching Pathway

Level 1 (Club Coach)

Level 2 (Club Coach)

Level 3 (Regional Coach)

Level 4 (National Coach)

1^st Dan (Min 18 years old)

3^rd Dan (Min 20 years old)

4^th Dan (Min 23 years old)

5^th Dan (Min 26 years old)

Teaching Knowledge (Pedagogy)

Coaches need to study and develop competence in their coaching methodology. This can best be achieved by watching coaches they admire and adapting their methods to suit their own style. There are many books and other sources available on coaching approaches and methods and these can lead to a much better understanding of how to prepare a training plan and what should be included.

An important development tool is to seek feedback from more experienced coaches who have observed a coach in action. It is equally important to seek feedback from those who are being coached.

Knowledge of How To Optimise Participant Performance (Sports Science/Physiology)

Coaches will need to familiarise themselves with issues such as the importance of a warm up and cool down, hydration during training, physical conditioning and how to spot contraindications exhibited by students during training

Knowledge of The British Context Of Coaching

Coaches will need to develop a good understanding of the BKA’s Health and Safety, Risk Assessment, Child Protection Policies and the ethics of coaching in the UK

Knowledge of Dojo Management

Coaches should develop a good understanding of how to build a community of learners, of ways to gather and manage payments with integrity, of ways to access and use appropriate syllabi and understand insurance implications.

Support Materials Available on the BKA Website’s Kendo Coaching Page

The following supporting information and documents are provided on the BKA website as part of the learning programme:

BKA coaching award in coaching kendo – Kendo Bu candidate portfolio
BKA kyu grade syllabus
BKA grading syllabus
Safeguarding and protection documents
Health and safety documents
Coaching papers
Coaching and teaching guidelines
BKA coaching conduct policy
BKA grading syllabus
BKA Coaching Manual
Course feedback document

BKA Level 1 Coaching Award (Club Coach)

Introduction

The British Kendo Association is committed to the education and development of its members and to support the development of coaches from BKA Level 1 Coaching Award (Club Coach) through to the BKA Level 4 Coaching Award (National Coach).

The BKA’s Level 1 in Coaching is the first step on this path.

On completion of the BKA Level 1 Coaching Award (Club Coach), it is envisaged that recipients will be able to coach under the supervision of a BKA Level 2, 3 or 4 coaches during club or other relevant coaching sessions, or stand in and lead training on occasions when a Club Coach is unavailable.

Eligibility Criteria

To ensure the suitability of candidates participating in the BKA Level 1 Coaching Award (Club Coach), the following pre-requisite criteria must be met.

Candidates must:

Hold a full current British Kendo Association Membership
Be 18 years of age or over
Hold a minimum grade of 1^st Dan
Have good knowledge of the BKA Kyu Grade Syllabus
Have a good knowledge of the BKA’s child protection policy
Have a good knowledge of the BKA’s Health and safety policies and procedures

Learning Programme and Assessment

There will be a minimum of one tutor/assessor for every 10 participants on the course

Kendo BU Coaching Portfolio: These must be completed and forwarded to the course assessor/s 2 weeks before the course. They should include:

Proposed and seconded by two BKA coaches (Levels 1 – 4)
A statement in support of their application for the award
An observation statement to evidence that the candidate has presented practices or parts of practices whilst supervised by a BKA Level 3 or 4 coach and has their support. These practices should be based on elements of the BKA Kyu Grade Syllabus.
A completed Health and Safety research paper (Approx 500 words)
A completed Safeguarding and Protecting Children research paper (Approx 500 words)
A signed coaching conduct agreement

BKA Level 1 Coaching Award (Club Coach) – Post Award

On completion of the BKA Level 1 Coaching Award (Club Coach) award holders will receive a signed Menjo.

They will be entered onto the BKA coaches register and empowered to:

Independently take up indemnity insurance
Deliver unsupervised practices (With the support of a Regional, National or L2 Club coach)

BKA Level 2 Coaching Award (Club Coach)

Introduction

The BKA’s Level 2 in Coaching is the second step on this pathway and the final element of formal coaching learning that the BKA will provide.

Eligibility Criteria

To ensure the suitability of candidates participating in the BKA Level 2 Coaching Award (Club Coach), the following pre-requisite criteria must be met.

Candidates must:

Hold a full current British Kendo Association Membership
Be 20 years of age or over
Hold a minimum grade of 3rd Dan
Have good knowledge of the BKA’s Grading Syllabus
Have a good knowledge of the BKA’s child protection policies
Have a good knowledge of the BKA’s Health and safety policies and procedures

Learning Programme and Assessment

There will be a minimum of one coach/assessor for every 10 participants on the course

Coaching Portfolio: These must be completed and forwarded to the course assessor/s 2 weeks before the course. They should include:

Proposed and seconded by two BKA coaches (Levels 2, 3 or 4)
A statement in support of their application for the award
An observation statement to evidence that the candidate has presented practices or parts of practices for appraisal by a BKA Level 3 or 4 coach and has their support. These practices should be based on elements of the BKA Grading Syllabus.
A completed Health and Safety research paper (Approx 500 words)
A completed Safeguarding and Protecting Children research paper (Approx 500 words)
A completed setting up and running a BKA club research paper (Approx 500 words)
A signed coaching conduct agreement

BKA Level 2 Coaching Award (Club Coach) – Post Award

On completion of the BKA Level 2 Coaching Award (Club Coach) successful candidates will receive a signed Menjo.
It is envisaged that recipients will be able to Coach all club level Kendo activity, act as a referee or tournament official at local or national events, open and lead their own clubs and devise their own long-term coaching plans, perhaps in liaison with Regional or National coaches.
Award grades up to 2nd kyu (With the agreement of the student’s club coach or dojo leader)

BKA Level 3 Coaching Award (Regional Coach)

Introduction

The BKA’s Level 3 in coaching is a very influential and important third step in this process.

To reflect the importance of this role it can only be awarded by a coaching board of one’s peers, to be convened by the serving Bucho.

Eligibility Criteria

To ensure the suitability of candidates participating in the BKA Level 3 Coaching Award (Regional Coach), the following pre-requisite criteria must be met.

Candidates must:

Hold a full current British Kendo Association Membership
Be 23 years of age or over
Hold a minimum grade of 4th Dan
Hold a BKA Level 2 Coaching Award (Club Coach) or a relevant alternative teaching/coaching qualification
Have an in-depth knowledge of the BKA’s Grading Syllabus
Have an in-depth knowledge of the BKA’s child protection policies
Have an in-depth knowledge of the BKA’s Health and safety policies and procedures
Have an in-depth knowledge of coaching methodology and a proven track record of coaching in support of local clubs or in a supportive role at national events

Learning Programme and Assessment

Coaching Portfolio: These tasks must be completed and presented (Post or Email) to the coaching officer no later than 14 days before the coaching board is scheduled to meet.

They will include:

Proposed and seconded by two BKA coaches (Levels 2, 3 or 4)
A statement in support of their application for the award
Observation statements to evidence that the candidate has presented practices or parts of practices for appraisal by at least two different BKA Level 3 or 4 coaches and has their support. These practices should be based on elements of the BKA Grading Syllabus.
A research paper on the nature and most important aspects of supporting the development of kendo instruction in the UK (Approx 500 words)
A kendo Coaching Curriculum Vitae and log of events attended in the last 3 years
A signed coaching conduct agreement

BKA Level 3 Coaching Award (Regional Coach) – Post Award

On completion of the BKA Level 3 Coaching Award (Regional Coach) successful candidates will receive a signed Menjo
It is envisaged that recipients will be able to Coach/influence all Regional Level Kendo activity, act as an official or referee at national or international events held in the UK, open and lead their own clubs or groups of clubs and devise their own long-term coaching plans, perhaps in liaison with national coaches.
Regional coaches will be qualified to initiate coaching courses and act as coach/assessors for the L1 and L2 coaching awards.
Regional coaches may at the discretion of the BuEc be asked to sit on local grading panels.

BKA Level 4 Coaching Award (National Coach)

Introduction

The British Kendo Association is committed to the education of its members and to support the development of coaches from BKA Level 1 Coaching Award (Club Coach) through to the BKA Level 4 Coaching Award (National Coach).

The BKA’s Level 4 in Coaching is a very influential and important final step on this path.

To reflect the importance of this role it can only be awarded by a coaching board of one’s peers, to be convened by the serving Bucho

Eligibility Criteria

To ensure the suitability of candidates participating in the BKA Level 4 Coaching Award (National Coach), the following pre-requisite criteria must be met.

Candidates must:

Hold a full current British Kendo Association Membership
Be 27 years of age or over
Hold the grade of 5th Dan or higher
Hold a BKA level 3 coaching award (Regional coach) or a relevant alternative teaching/coaching qualification
Have an in-depth knowledge of the BKA’s Grading Syllabi
Have an in-depth knowledge of the BKA’s child protection policies
Have an in-depth knowledge of the BKA’s Health and safety policies and procedures
Be an active national/International level referee or competitor
Have an in-depth knowledge of coaching methodology and a proven track record of supporting coaching at local and national events

Learning Programme and Assessment

Coaching Portfolio: These tasks must be completed and presented (Post or Email) to the coaching officer no later than 14 days before the coaching board is scheduled to meet.

They will include:

Proposed and seconded by two BKA National coaches (Level 4)
A statement from a BKA national coach in support of their application for the award
Observation statements to evidence that the candidate has presented practices or parts of practices for appraisal by at least two different BKA Level 4 coaches at national events and has their support. These practices should be based on elements of the BKA Grading Syllabus.
A kendo Coaching Curriculum Vitae and log of national and international events attended in the last 3 years
A Research paper on the nature and most important aspects of leading the development of kendo instruction in the UK (maximum 1000 words)
A signed coaching conduct agreement

BKA Level 4 Coaching Award (National Coach) – Post Award

On completion of the BKA Level 4 Coaching Award (National Coach) successful candidates will receive a signed Menjo
It is envisaged that recipients will be able to Coach/influence all levels of Kendo activity, act as an official or referee at national or international events, open and lead their own clubs or groups of clubs and devise influential long-term coaching plans.
National coaches will be qualified to initiate coaching courses and act as coach/assessors for the L1 and L2 coaching awards.
National Coaches may be asked to take part in coaching boards and coaching appeals
National coaches may at the discretion of the Bucho and/or grading officer be asked to sit on or lead national or local grading panels.