Diploma in Coaching Science

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide a vocational and practice-oriented career path in the science of coaching of different sports for qualifying learner. On completion, it also provides access to a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Human Movement Science and Education) Degree.

Rationale

The rationale behind this qualification is to address the provincial and national need of professional coaches of rugby, netball, soccer and cricket by delivering coaching experts for different professional individual athletes and teams.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The principles underlying outcomes based, source-based and lifelong learning are subscribed to. In this context, considerations of articulation and mobility play an important role. The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) constitutes an essential element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning qualification. RPL does not only imply assessment to determine the level of skills and knowledge the learner already possesses, but also the skills and knowledge the learner has to master prior to being accepted for the qualification. The assessment processes involved with RPL are the same as those followed for awarding credits in the formal learning setting. An RPL learner seeking credits for previously acquired skills and knowledge, must still comply with all the requirements as stated for modules and qualifications. The difference lies in the route of the assessment, since RPL assessment may be holistic in nature taking the context of the qualification as well as the prior knowledge and experience of the person who is being assessed into account.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirements for admission into the Bachelors studies are

• National Senior Certificate (NSC), Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate with matriculation exemption.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational (NV (V)), Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies.

This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at NQF Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 5, 92 Credits

• Generic Sport Coaching Science, 12 Credits.
• Games Skills Development in Soccer, 12 Credits.
• Basic Anatomy and Energy Systems, 12 Credits.
• Motor Learning, 12 Credits.
• Social and Community Psychology, 12 Credits.
• Supplementation and Ergogenic Middle, 12 Credits.
• Academic Literacy, 12 Credits.
• Coaching Science in Golf, 8 Credits.

Elective Modules at Level 5

• Academic Literacy, 12 Credits
• Games Skills Development in Rugby, 12 Credits.
• Games Skills Development in Athletics, 12 Credits.
• Games Skills Development in Cricket, 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 6 (132 Credits)

• Game Skills Application in Soccer, 16 Credits.
• Coaching Science in Hockey, 8 Credits.
• Know and Understand the Health World, 12 Credits.
• Biomechanics, 8 Credits.
• Coaching Science in Tennis, 8 Credits.
• Game Analysis and Preparation, 16 Credits.
• Sport and Exercise Physiology (Special), 8 Credits.
• Kinanthropometrics, 8 Credits.
• Commercialising: Development and Law, 16 Credits.
• Sport Organization and Development, 8 Credits.
• Sport and Exercise Psychology, 8 Credits.
• Sport Organisation and Administration, 8 Credits.
• Introduction to Sport Injuries, 8 Credits.

Elective Modules at Level 6

• Game Skills Application in Cricket, 16 Credits.
• Game Skills Application in Rugby, 16 Credits.
• Coaching Science in Netball, 8 Credits.
• Game Skills Application in Athletics, 16 Credits.
• Coaching Science in Swimming, 8 Credits.
• Coaching Science in Gymnastics, 8 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 7, 32 Credits

• Coaching Science Practice in Soccer, 32 Credits.

Elective Modules at Level 7

• Coaching Science Practice in Cricket, 32 Credits.
• Coaching Science Practice in Athletics, 32 Credits.
• Coaching Science Practice in Rugby, 32 Credits.

1. Demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of the coaching process and methodology as well as the rules of specific sporting disciplines.
2. Select, evaluate and effectively apply with discernment standard procedures during coaching to address fundamental coaching problems or issues in a particular sport with a view to develop individuals or teams in that particular sport.
3. Distinguish and solve coaching challenges in both familiar and unfamiliar sporting contexts and apply the solutions to support development in coaching practice.
4. Understand the ethical implications of decisions, actions and practices specifically relevant to the field of coaching of children and adults.
5. Accurately and coherently write and verbally communicate training programmes and sport management action plans and feedback on specific video notation analyses with understanding of and respect for intellectual property conventions, copyright and rules on plagiarism.
6. Act as a group member and a group leader and contribute appropriate information/skills to successfully develop a gym programme for athletes and assess the success of task completion against given criteria.
7. Monitor own learning progress and use of available resources to successfully master the relevant knowledge and skills.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria are assessed in an integrated manner across all Exit Level Outcomes

• Analyse, evaluate and apply the fundamental terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories.
• Apply appropriate discipline-related methods of scientific inquiry and independently validate, evaluate and manage sources of information.
• Critically reflection on, and demonstrate understanding and application of, appropriate methods or practices to resolve complex discipline-related problems and thereby introduce change within related practice.
• Display professional and ethical behaviour within an academic and discipline-related environment, with sensitivity towards societal and cultural considerations.
• Effectively communicate scientific understanding and own opinions/ideas in written or oral arguments, using appropriate discipline-related and academic discourse as well as technology.
• Effectively function as a member and/or leader of a team or a group in scientific projects or investigations, with self-directed management of learning activities and responsibility for own learning progress.

Integrated Assessment

The knowledge and skills mastered during the course of completion of this Diploma in Coaching Science culminate in an integrative practice-oriented assessment where the students have to demonstrate mastery by developing training programmes and management plans to be assessed in actual practice.