Advanced Certificate of Sports Coaching and Psychology

Unit 1: Foundations of Sports Coaching

• What is sports coaching?
• The role of the coach in modern sport
• Core coaching skills
• Key responsibilities of a coach
• Overview of coaching pathways in Australia

Unit 2: Ethics, Safety, and Professional Standards

• Coaching code of behaviour (Sport Integrity Australia guidelines)
• Ethics and conduct in coaching
• Legal responsibilities and duty of care
• Risk management in sport
• Basic first aid and injury prevention
• Working with children and vulnerable people

Unit 3: Communication and Relationships in Coaching

• Building rapport with athletes
• The coach-athlete relationship
• The 3 + 1 Cs model
• Setting clear expectations and ground rules
• How relationships evolve over time
• Communication styles and feedback

Unit 4: Coaching Methods and Learning Styles

• Stages of athlete learning
• Coaching styles: autocratic, democratic, laissez-faire, holistic
• Blended and situational coaching
• Adapting to athlete needs and sport contexts
• Coaching individuals vs teams

Unit 5: Motivation and Performance

• What drives motivation in sport?
• Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation
• Using goal setting and feedback effectively
• Social facilitation and group dynamics
• Maintaining focus and enthusiasm in training

Unit 6: Coaching Individuals and Teams

• Differences between individual and team coaching
• Developing leadership in athletes
• Team building strategies
• Managing team dynamics and morale

Unit 7: Athlete Wellbeing and Identity

• Understanding athletic identity
• Mental health and athlete transitions
• Grief and injury recovery
• How coaches can support athlete wellbeing
• Working with parents and families
• Ethical coaching practices for children and youth sport

Unit 8: Growth as a Coach

• Differences between amateur and elite coaching
• Dealing with setbacks and pressure
• Staying engaged and avoiding burnout
• Ongoing professional development
• Building a long-term coaching career

Unit 1: Introduction to Sport Psychology 

• Introduction to sport psychology
• Definition and scope of sport psychology
• Roles and responsibilities of sport psychologists
• Using sport psychology knowledge in non-psychologist roles
• Myths and realities
• Psychological strategies for performance and well-being

Unit 2: Motivation and Goal Setting        

• Motivation and goal setting
• Theories of motivation
• Achievement goal theory
• Need achievement theory
• Attribution theory
• Goal setting theory
• Social cognitive theory
• Flow theory
• Theory of planned behaviour
• Affective-reflective theory
• Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic motivation
• Self-determination theory
• Identifying personal and team motivators
• Strategies for building and sustaining motivation
• Overcoming obstacles and maintaining focus during setbacks

Unit 3: Mental Skills for Performance     

• Mental skills for performance
• Visualisation and imagery techniques
• Positive self-talk and affirmations
• Concentration and attention control
• Building self-confidence in sport settings
• Pre-performance routines and mental preparation
• Mindfulness and relaxation methods in sport

Unit 3: Stress, Anxiety, and Coping Strategies 

• Stress, anxiety, and coping strategies
• Sources of stress and anxiety in sport and exercise
• Effects of stress and anxiety on performance
• Coping strategies for managing pressure
• Relaxation techniques
• Building resilience under pressure
• Mental health challenges in sport

Unit 5: Team Dynamics and Communication    

• Team dynamics and communication
• Group dynamics and cohesion
• Trust, respect, and shared goals
• Communication skills for athletes and coaches
• Conflict resolution and feedback
• Leadership and role clarity
• Strategies for enhancing team motivation

Unit 6: Injury, Recovery, and Psychological Health     

• Injury, recovery, and psychological health
• Psychological impact of injuries and setbacks
• Supporting athletes through recovery and return to play
• Coping with pain and loss of athletic identity
• Building resilience and positive mental health
• Psychological challenges: burnout and overtraining
• Promoting holistic wellbeing in sports

Unit 7: Diversity, Ethics, and Inclusive Practices         

• Diversity, ethics, and inclusive practices
• Understanding diversity in sport
• Creating equitable and inclusive sport environments
• Ethical standards and professional responsibilities
• Discrimination and bias
• Supporting underrepresented and marginalised populations
• Cultural competence in sport

Unit 8: Technology, Innovation, and the Future of Sport Psychology  

• Technology, innovation, and the future of sport psychology
• Digital tools and apps for mental skills training
• Wearable technology and feedback
• Virtual reality (VR) and gamification
• Data analytics and sport psychology
• Sports psychology and coaching trends
• Innovation and best practice