L1 Coaching Swimming Specifications
L1 Coaching Swimming Specifications
L1 Coaching Swimming Specifications
Period of Registration
Your registration for this qualification (ASA UKCC Level 1 Award in Coaching Swimming (QCF)) is valid for 18
months, this commences from the start date of the course. It is expected that you will complete all aspects of
the qualification and that an application for certification will be made within your period of registration. If you
are unable to complete your qualification within the set period you may apply, with good reason, via your
Approved Centre to extend your registration by up to six (6) months.
The ASA UKCC Level 1 Award in Coaching Swimming comprises of seven (7) units (see Figure 1). Units 101 – 104
are common units which are generic across all Level 1 Aquatic Awards, Units 105 – 107 are more focused on
the technical aspects of the discipline and its delivery, therefore Units 105 – 107 for this qualification are
focused on the technical application of coaching swimming.
Unit
Number Unit Title Credit Level
Common Units
Each unit has specific learner outcomes and assessment criteria which must be followed and met in order to
achieve successful completion of a unit. Learners will be required to deliver, under the observation of an
appropriately qualified assessor, one (1) coaching/teaching session for the duration of 15 minutes.
Qualification Achievement
In order to be eligible for certification of the ASA UKCC Level 1 Award in Coaching Swimming qualification all
units must be successfully achieved. It is therefore important to clarify:
There is no grading criterion for this qualification; you will either achieve a pass or fail.
Unit content
1.3 Outline why equality and diversity are important in working with
participants and colleagues
Equality and diversity: e.g. participants and colleagues with special educational
needs, medical conditions, emotional needs, behavioural problems, disability,
different gender, age, ability, race, sexual orientation
1.4 State how to treat people equally and respect their individuality
1.7 Outline why dress, appearance and behaviour are important at work
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to outline, (as a minimum, two (2) elements
of teamwork and two (2) examples of where teamwork helps provide good
levels of service
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to be able to describe the key ASA values
and codes of practice in place to support coaching/teaching in swimming and
associated disciplines*
1.2 Describe how to identify who has responsibility for different aspects of
sessions
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to identify who has responsibility for each of
the different aspects above
1.3 Outline why it is important to work closely with the person with overall
responsibility for sessions
1.4 Identify the types of information needed to plan an activity within sessions
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to discuss the importance of not only their own
session evaluations but those of sessions delivered by other staff as well.
1.8 Outline why it is important to make sure the planned activities meet the
overall aims of the sessions
Procedures: e.g. checks for hazards, checks for cleanliness, checks for water
standards; procedures for recording data and reporting problems
Tutor guidance: Candidates must identify what procedures are in place at the
centre they coach/teach (using the examples of procedures given as a guide). It
is important that they can also identify how information is recorded and how
issues are reported.
2.5 Describe the types of problems which should not be dealt with by self
2.7 Outline health and safety requirements that cover own area of
responsibility
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to outline, both levels of health and safety
requirements applicable to their coaching/teaching and level of responsibility
Assessment Activity: Task 8 – 102.2 – 2.7
Learner Outcomes Assessment Criteria
3. Understand how to 3.1 Identify the types of equipment which might be used in
prepare facilities and coaching/teaching sessions
equipment for
coaching/teaching Types of equipment: e.g. posters, activity cards, buoyancy aids, flippers,
activities paddles
3.2 Outline the main health and safety requirements for different items of
coaching/teaching equipment
Health and safety requirements: e.g. suitable size for age, condition of
equipment, suitability for use near water (electrical), potential effect on pool
water (cleanliness)
3.4 Describe why using the safe manual lifting and handling procedures are
important
3.5 Identify the types of faults and/or hazards which may occur with
coaching/teaching equipment
Types of faults and/or hazards: e.g. sharp/exposed edges, rips and tears, wear
and tear, exposed wires/damage to flex
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to identify (as a minimum) the correct way
to set up two (2) different types of equipment.
3.8 Outline why it is important to check with a more senior colleague that
coaching/teaching equipment has been set up correctly
4.2 Identify the appropriate requirements for dress and equipment for the
activities being coached/taught
Dress: appropriate attire. e.g. footwear, dry side clothing, wet side attire
4.3 Outline how to give clear and correct demonstrations and explanations
of skills, techniques, rules, codes and health and safety requirements
Rules, codes and health and safety requirements: e.g. safe behaviour in
water, ground rules, sanctions
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to outline how demonstration can aid and
support explanations of four (4) skills and techniques required for swimming
and three (3) health and safety requirements.
1.2 State the health and safety requirements relevant to the activities
being coached/taught
Health and safety requirements: e.g. safety of swimmers; safety of self and
other staff; safety of parents
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to state the relevant health and safety
guidance with regard to swimmers, self/others and parents
rules and codes of behaviour: e.g. safe behaviour in water, ground rules,
sanctions, rules/laws of the sport
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to identify, as a minimum, four (4) skills and
techniques required for the coaching/teaching of aquatics. Candidates must
also identify three (3) relevant rules/codes of behaviour.
1.6 Identify the correct procedures for reporting accidents, injuries and
illnesses
2.6 Outline how to give feedback in a way that will help participants to
improve their performance
3.3 Outline types of appropriate cool down exercises for the activities being
coached/taught
3.4 Outline why it is important to get feedback from participants at the end
of sessions
3.5 Identify procedures for putting away equipment and tidying the
coaching/teaching facility
Faulty: e.g. sharp/exposed edges, rips and tears, wear and tear
3.8 Outline why it is important that storage areas should be clean, tidy and
secure
1.3 Outline the importance of making positive use of the feedback from
others, including participants and the person responsible for sessions
Record: e.g. written records, video record, audio record, electronic records
Tutor guidance: Evaluations must include at least one (1) example from the
list above
1.6 State how to make use of past evaluations when planning and
conducting future activities
Assessment Activity: Task 4 – 104.1 – 1.5
Learner Outcomes Assessment Criteria
2. Understand how to 2.1 Outline why it is important to always try to improve own
develop own coaching/teaching
coaching/teaching
practice Assessment Activity: Task 5 – 104.2 – 2.1
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to identify how to ask for feedback from a
minimum of two (2) different types of colleague.
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to outline two (2) different areas of feedback
and highlight why its important to obtain.
Sources of training and education: e.g. ASA, other NGBs, SCUK, Further
Education, Higher Education, Open University
Assessment Activity
Assessment Activity
1.3 Produce plans for activities that meet the session’s aims
Aims: e.g. acquisition of skill, fun and enjoyment, develop confidence, develop
technique.
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to produce written plans (for at least two (2)
different sessions that last a minimum duration of 15 minutes) and include
relevant aims from the examples given above.
Assessment Activity
Learner Outcomes Assessment Criteria
1. Plan coaching activities 1.4 Use evaluations of previous activities to help the plan
(cont)
Evaluations: e.g. verbal, written (personal action plans, recording progress of
participants), self-reflection.
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to use (as a minimum) two (2) types of
evaluation to help plan future sessions.
Assessment Activity
1.5 Make sure the planned activities fit into the time available
Assessment Activity
1.6 Check the details of plans with the person responsible for the session
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to check the details of the plan with whoever
is responsible for the session.
Assessment Activity
Assessment Activity
Learner Outcomes Assessment Criteria
2. Plan for a safe 2.1 Take account of health and safety requirements when planning activities
environment
Health & safety requirements: Pool considerations e.g. role of the lifeguard,
injury and illness (i.e. colds, ear, nose and eye infection, open sores, cramp,
collisions), equipment assembly/disassembly, manual lifting and handling,
reporting, safe storage, emergency exits, emergency drills, operating
procedures relating to NGB guidelines, ASA guidance statements i.e. teaching
from the poolside, diving, jumping into shallow water, definition of
supervision, safe supervision for aquatic teaching (coaching)
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to show that they have taken into account all
relevant health & safety requirements relevant to their planned session. This is
to include pool and participant related considerations.
Assessment Activity
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to check all relevant facility areas using the
centre’s safe operating procedures.
Assessment Activity
Problems: e.g. lights not working, objects in water, water quality, damage to
surfaces, damage to equipment, use of electrical equipment
Assessment Activity
2.4 Take correct action to deal with any problems, according to instructions
Correct action: e.g. deal with, report to colleague, report to line manager,
complete written report
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to take the correct action in line with either
verbal instructions and/or those included in the centre’s operating procedures
and/or NGB guidance.
Assessment Activity
Learner Outcomes Assessment Criteria
2. Plan for a safe 2.5 Report any problems clearly and accurately to a more senior colleague
environment (cont)
Report: e.g. verbally and in writing
Assessment Activity
Assessment Activity
3.3 Lift and handle equipment safely and without causing damage
Assessment Activity
3.4 Follow instructions for setting up and laying out the equipment
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to be able to follow both verbal and written
instructions.
Assessment Activity
Assessment Activity
Assessment Activity
Problems: e.g. damaged, unsuitable, problems with setting up, potentially hazardous
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to be able to identify and report problems (such as
those given as examples above) – either actual or via suitable questioning.
Assessment Activity
Unit content
Discipline: Swimming (Coaching) Credit Value: 1
Unit Code: 106
Unit Level: Conducting Coaching Activities
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to show that they can follow the health and
safety procedures in place at the centre where the session(s) are taking place
(examples given above) and meet appropriate ASA requirements.
Assessment Activity
1.2 Refer any problems which cannot be dealt with accordingly to the person
responsible for a session
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to show that they are aware of the type of
issues that need to be referred to the person responsible for the session.
Possible examples are given.
Assessment Activity
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to show that they can communicate clearly
with both participants and colleagues during one of their planned session for a
minimum duration of 15 minutes.
Assessment Activity
Learner Outcomes Assessment Criteria
1. Be able to conduct 1.4 Provide participant(s) with the information they need throughout
coaching activities (cont) sessions
Assessment Activity
1.5 Follow and adhere to the correct procedures for safeguarding children
and vulnerable people
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to follow the correct procedures during the
coaching session, such as conducting themselves correctly and, be able to
follow procedures if abuse is suspected.
Assessment Activity
1.6 Deal with accidents, injuries and illnesses following the correct
procedures
Accidents, injuries and illnesses: e.g. (accidents) trips and slips, collisions;
(injuries) bruising, bleeding, fracture, shock, cardiac arrest; (illnesses) asthma,
diabetes, viral infection
Assessment Activity
1.7 Report accidents, injuries and illnesses following the correct procedures
Assessment Activity
Learner Outcomes Assessment Criteria
2. Support participant(s) 2.1 Demonstrate how to observe participant(s) performance throughout
behaviour and activities
performance
Observe participant(s) performance: e.g. focussed observation of aquatic
movements, core aquatic skills, movement literacy, multi skill, multi stroke,
multi discipline, multi aquatic
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to demonstrate that they can observe key
elements of the participants performance.
Assessment Activity
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to pay attention to all the needs identified
above
Assessment Activity
Assessment Activity
2.4 Make sure that feedback highlights good performance and areas for
participant(s) improvement
Assessment Activity
Assessment Activity
Learner Outcomes Assessment Criteria
3. Conclude coaching 3.1 Allow enough time to finish activities
activities
Assessment Activity
Assessment Activity
Assessment Activity
Assessment Activity
3.5 Follow the correct procedures for putting away equipment and tidying
the coaching facility
Assessment Activity
3.6 Refer any problems which cannot be dealt with appropriately to the
person responsible for the session
Assessment Activity
Unit content
Discipline: Swimming (Coaching) Credit Value: 1
Unit Code: 107
Unit Level: Evaluating Coaching Activities
Assessment Activity
1.2 Compare and reflect on what happened during the activity with what
was planned
Assessment Activity
Assessment Activity
Assessment Activity
1.5 Provide own ideas about what went well and what could be improved
Assessment Activity
1.6 Listen to and take account of the views of the person responsible for the
session
Assessment Activity
Assessment Activity
Learner Outcomes Assessment Criteria
2. Develop own coaching 2.1 Seek feedback on own coaching from colleagues
practice
Feedback: e.g. group discussion, one-to-one, senior coach, tutor.
Tutor guidance: Candidates need to seek feedback from a minimum of two (2)
different colleagues either on a one-to-one basis or via a group discussion.
Assessment Activity
Identify the things done well and areas which could be done
better
Identify the new things needed to learn
Assessment Activity
Assessment Activity
Practical Syllabus
Demonstrate the use of Coach sessions that incorporate all of the following requirements: e.g:
appropriate practical
poolside skills and Appropriate lane discipline
coaching practices Use equipment including stop watch and pace clock
Appropriate communication to allow set and technique direction
Appropriate awareness of areas of risk during coaching
Demonstrate coaching Coach sessions that identify appropriate corrections in all of the four (4)
sessions that identify competitive swimming strokes starts, turns and finishes:
common faults in the
four (4) competitive Front Crawl
swimming strokes, Back Crawl
starts, turns and finishes Breaststroke
Butterfly
Starts
Turns
Finishes
Practical skills Components
Demonstrate differing Coach sessions in three of the following areas incorporating the DIRT principle.
types of coaching
sessions that Low intensity aerobic
incorporate the DIRT Medium intensity endurance
(Distance, Intensity, High intensity anaerobic
Repetition, Time) Speed
principle. Recovery
Skill