Becoming an Ice Coach

All National Ice Skating Association of UK (NISA) coaches are required to have a minimum of the National Coach Certification Programme (NCCP) Level 2 to teach Private lessons and receive payment. This level guarantees that, skaters, parents, ice rinks and official bodies that a minimum standard of competency, both technically and theoretically, has been accomplished.

The National Ice Skating Association controls all coach education. New coaches are required to first complete the NISA Level One 'Assistant Coach' programme where they will spend a number of hours 'shadowing' a Mentor coach, attend Sports Workshops/Seminars, First Aid training and complete both on-ice and off-ice examinations. Completion of the NISA Level One 'Assistant Coaching' examination gains you the ability to take 'Group Classes' but not Private lessons and receive payment for your coaching. Full details can be found on the NISA website.

NCCP stands for the National Coaching Certification Programme, introduced in 1998 by the governing body of the sport in the UK, NISA. The NCCP comprises five levels of award, based broadly on current NVQ, (National Vocational Qualifications), standards and requirements. Each Level of the programme contains a certain number of 'Modules' and 'Units', which must be completed fully before moving on to the next level of the programme.

The Modules cover Mentor training, Practical Work, Written and On Ice assessments, Project work and in collaboration with the National Coaching Foundation, (NCF) Workshops, Key Courses and Home Study covering core areas of knowledge such as: - Fitness and Training, Imagery Training, Building Self Confidence, Mental Skills, Nutrition, Safety and Injury and Child Protection, to mention but a few.

Incorporated within the Technical aspects of the programme are areas such as: - Bio-mechanics, Child Protection, all aspects of coaching techniques for Figure Skating, Ice Dancing, Pair Skating, Short Track Speed and Synchronised Team Skating.

Levels 1 and 2 deal with generic coaching skills giving the new coach a wide base of expertise. Levels 3, 4 and 5 are specific to a particular discipline; the Coach will be qualified, therefore, in a particular discipline.