FIH COACHING GUIDELINES AIMS OF THE TECHNICAL GUIDELINES 1. To establish clear-cut guidelines for the two FIH Coaching Course levels in both High Performance and Development categories: FIH Coaching Course FIH Final Coaching Seminars / Courses 2. To create a clear-cut organisational structure which is followed by all Course Conductors and to ensure quality methodological procedure and instruction as well as the efficiency of the course. 3. To clarify the system of Olympic Solidarity Coaching Courses. 4. To regulate the content for courses so as to ensure consistency. 5. To establish a standardised procedure for accreditation of FIH Coaches 6. To identify evaluation criteria, which are designed in conjunction with the respective goals of the course at each level, and to ensure the fair treatment of each applicant and participant. 7. To maintain the integrity of the FIH Coaching Accreditation process. 8. To recognise individuals who qualify at different FIH Coaching levels. PURPOSE OF COACHING COURSES FIH Coaching Courses, FIH Final Coaching Courses and Olympic Solidarity Coaching Courses are organised for the express purpose of stimulating beneficial exchanges of opinion, knowledge, scientific research and experience between coaches from all FIH Member Countries, with the additional aim of improving the knowledge and experience of coaches from and in developing hockey regions. DEVELOPMENT AND HIGH PERFORMANCE COACHING Development Coaching Development coaching is meant to be the coaching of players and teams of players in early stages of their hockey career. They may be young hockey players or older players who begin to play hockey at a later age. The education of coaching young players is an important aspect of the FIH Coach Development accreditation. Development coaching also includes the training of coaches in developing hockey countries in general. High Performance coaching High Performance coaching is meant to be coaching of players and teams that consist of skilled players, playing at the highest junior or senior level in developing hockey countries or at a high junior and senior level in developed hockey countries. Upon the completion of each Final Coaching Course, the respective Course Conductors will assess the participants in the course and submit their recommendations for FIH Coach or FIH Coach Grade 1 to the Chairperson of the Development and Coaching Committee. After due consideration of those recommendations the Development and Coaching Committee will submit its recommendations to the FIH Executive Board who will finalise the appointment of the accredited FIH Coaches. Appointment of FIH Master Coaches may also be included in the recommendations of the Final Course Conductors and in the nominations from the Development and Coaching Committee to the FIH Executive Board.
Coaches with extraordinary hockey knowledge and of exceptional international reputation, who have not participated in an FIH Final Coaching Course, can also be considered by the Development and Coaching Committee for nomination as FIH Master Coach, provided that they have made a substantial and fruitful contribution to one or more FIH Coaching Courses. The Chairman of the Development and Coaching Committee will consult current FIH Master Coaches about potential nominations for an appointment as FIH Master Coach of such candidates. Course Conductors will be appointed by the Development and Coaching Committee from the list of the three levels of accredited FIH Coaches according to their ability to conduct: FIH Coaching Courses High Performance and Development FIH Final Coaching Courses High Performance and Development Olympic Solidarity Coaching Courses in developing hockey countries Olympic Solidarity Coaching Courses in developed hockey countries Conductors are selected and appointed for each individual course, taking into account the relevant specific requirements for that course. To recognize individuals who have not been recommended and/or nominated for appointment as FIH Coach in on of the three categories, but who did complete a Coaching Course or Final Coaching Course to enrich their own knowledge. FIH COACHES MEETING & FIH COACHES CONFERENCE There are four kinds of events in the category FIH Non Accreditation Coaching Events. FIH Coaches Meeting High Performance and/or Development Purpose: FIH Coaches Meeting High Performance and/or Development is the meeting for FIH Accredited Coaches of all categories to discuss coaching and development. They will exchange their experiences and give feedback from their practice to each other in order to give the Development and Coaching Committee of the FIH information for optimising systems, courses and guidelines. Period: To be held once every two years. 1 day, preferably in conjunction with an international event at high level where the attendance of many FIH Coaches warrants sufficient participation in such a meeting. Number of participants: No maximum, FIH Accredited Coaches belonging to all five categories only. All FIH Coaches will be invited by letter and supplied with a registration form. Conductor: The Chairperson or a Member of the Development and Coaching Committee of the FIH will chair this meeting. Format: Interaction, guest speakers Others: Organised in co-operation with the FIH and CHF or NHA. Participants receive a certificate of participation. FIH Coaching Conference High Performance and/or Development Purpose: FIH Coaching Conference High Performance and/or Development is the conference for a large international group of coaches to exchange their views and experiences. Period: To be held once every two years. 1 to 3 days, in conjunction with an international event at any level where the attendance of many coaches warrants sufficient participation in such a conference. Number of participants: No maximum. All interested hockey coaches who are recommended by NHAs or by FIH Accredited Coaches. All National Hockey Associations will be informed by letter and supplied with registration forms. This invitation will also be sent by the FIH to all FIH Coaches. Conductor: FIH Master Coaches and/or FIH Coaches Grade 1 High Performance or Development. Format: Interaction, teaching by conductors, invited speakers and spontaneous contributions from participants. Others: Organised in co-operation with the FIH and CHF or NHA. Participants receive a certificate of participation.
UPGRADING OF FIH COACHES Ways of upgrading FIH Accredited Coaches to FIH Coach Grade 1 High Performance, FIH Coach Grade 1 Development and FIH Master Coach. Ways of upgrading to FIH Coach Grade 1 High Performance from FIH Coach High Performance 1. To participate in another FIH Final Coaching Course High Performance and receive recommendation for upgrading from course conductors. 2. To be recommended by an FIH Master Coach, after having assisted the Master Coach in conducting an FIH Coaching Course High Performance. (Not possible under these regulations since FIH Coaches should only do Olympic Solidarity courses!) 3. To be recommended by an FIH Master Coach, after having assisted the Master Coach in conducting a high performance Olympic Solidarity Coaching Course. Ways of upgrading to FIH Coach Grade 1 Development from FIH Coach Development 1. To participate in another FIH Final Coaching Course Development and receive recommendation for upgrading from course conductors. 2. To be recommended by an FIH Master Coach, after having assisted the Master Coach in conducting an FIH Coaching Course Development. (Not possible under these regulations since FIH Coaches should only do Olympic Solidarity courses!) 3. To be recommended by an FIH Master Coach, after having assisted the Master Coach in conducting a high performance Olympic Solidarity Coaching Course. Ways of upgrading to FIH Master Coach Only the FIH Development and Coaching Committee with the proposal of two or more FIH Master Coaches can award the appointment to FIH Master Coach. In exceptional cases, the Development and Coaching Committee of the FIH can nominate a person for the appointment of FIH Master Coach even when they are not an FIH Coach or FIH Coach Grade 1. This can be the case if this individual has shown exceptional qualities as high performance coach at world top level and is also known to be able to train coaches who work in developmental situations. The Development and Coaching Committee of the FIH verifies its opinions with other FIH Master Coaches. The person concerned must have made a contribution to the FIH Coaching system. Appointment to FIH Master Coach is subject to approval by the FIH Executive Board. ADMINISTRATION OF FIH COACHING COURSES AND FIH FINAL COACHING 1. FIH Coaching Courses are open to applications from male and female participants from FIH member National Hockey Associations. At least 50% of the participants in an FIH Coaching Course shall be citizens of countries other than the organising National Association. For FIH Final Coaching Courses this percentage should be 70% unless the Development and Coaching Committee of the FIH decides otherwise for specific reasons. 2. The cycle for FIH Coaching Courses and FIH Final Coaching Courses will be circulated to the National Hockey Associations with the Development and Coaching Committee of the FIH s Four-Year Plan. This plan will attempt to address the needs of NHAs and Continental Hockey Federations in the planning and organisation. An up-to-date programme should accompany these guidelines. 3. All FIH National Hockey Associations may apply to organise an FIH Coaching Course or FIH Final Coaching Course. They must be prepared to: 4. Provide the necessary facilities not far from the venue of the tournament. They must also provide a synthetic turf hockey pitch, a lecture room, video equipment for all types of tape with a large screen and residence/hotel accommodation close to the facilities. A high capacity photocopier is also needed.
5. Cover the expenses of full board, accommodation and local transportation for all the participants, the conductors, the FIH Course Co-ordinator and the FIH Development and Coaching Committee representative and supply them with entrance tickets for the coinciding tournament. 6. Appoint a Local Liaison Officer and/or Local Coordinator who will be responsible, on behalf of the National Hockey Association, for all domestic issues such as: Facilities, local transport, board and accommodation arrangements as well as other assistance to the conductors to facilitate the smooth running of the course Photocopy the presentation papers of all the candidates of the course and other documents before and during the course Provide local players for demonstration purposes, should conductors request their services. NB: An FIH Course Director will be appointed by the FIH Development and Coaching Committee in consultation with the NHA. This person will preferably be a member of the Coaching Group of the FIH Development and Coaching Committee. The FIH Course Director: Is, when possible, a member of the Coaching Group of the FIH Development and Coaching Committee. Works with the two FIH Course Conductors to ensure the quality, methodology, programming and interpretation of the guidelines and policies of the Development and Coaching Committee. Serves to assist with the coordination of the course content but does not intrude in the presentation of the course content nor in the assessment of the participants by the course conductors. Will, when and if necessary, arbitrate on any differences of opinion between the two course conductors and will make site decisions on behalf of the Coaching Group and Development and Coaching Committee. Submit, together with the application to the FIH Development and Coaching Committee: o o o Statement of conformity with the requirements of these Guidelines Dates, Venue and facilities of the propose FIH (Final) Coaching Course Budget estimate: not including Costs of international travel of the FIH Course Conductors and FIH Course Coordinator (these costs to be covered by the FIH) Costs of international travel for participants (these costs to be covered by the participants) Information about any sponsorship to be obtained for the course The budget should include the proposed participation fee 4. The duration of an FIH Coaching Course will be six days. (Travel days not included) 5. Participants are required to contribute to the expenses of the hosting National Hockey Association through a participation fee, fixed by the host National Hockey Association in agreement with the FIH Development and Coaching Committee. 6. To avoid and discourage late withdrawals from the Course: Invitations will be extended well in advance. The deadline for acceptances will be adhered to. Prepayment of fees will be instituted with a 50% discount for withdrawal by fax no later than 15 days before the start of the Course. Should any applicant appear at such a course without having complied, they will be relegated to the status of observer and will not be assessed.
7. It is recommended that the Course commence three days before the coinciding tournament. This will allow Coaches from the participating teams at the tournament to be invited for beneficial exchanges of ideas e.g. analyses of training session or matches and other aspects. This will allow more time for presentations by the conductors and participants before the start of the tournament. 8. An Official Closing Ceremony should be organised by the host National Association. Upon such occasions FIH Certificates of Attendance/Participation are to be presented to the officially registered participants. It should be noted that such certificates do NOT certify Coaches at one of the respective course levels Suggested Procedures and Timescales Twelve months before potential courses are organised, the FIH Development and Coaching Committee will invite National Association to submit, in writing, their interest in hosting either a Coaching Course or a Final Coaching Course. (Exceptionally, a Coaching Course may be organised in less time if the Development and Coaching Committee are assured that all details have been covered satisfactorily.) An application from a National Association shall contain: o The name, address, telephone/fax number and email address of the person who shall, on behalf of the National Association, be in charge of the organisation of the course and the relevant contact with the FIH. o The detailed information requested in paragraph 3 above. If several proposals are received, the Development and Coaching Committee will decide where the Courses will take place, and will subsequently agree on all details with the National Association involved. A National Association can also propose spontaneously to the FIH Development and Coaching Committee to host an FIH (Final) Coaching Course. The FIH invites National Associations applying to organise and host an FIH competition to include in their application a proposal to organise and host an FIH (Final) Coaching Course. OLYMPIC SOLIDARITY HOCKEY COACHING COURSES 1. National Associations can apply via their national Olympic Committee for a grant to organise an Olympic Solidarity Course. Please see the details under Olympic solidarity part. 2. Olympic Solidarity requires that the conductor(s), called 'experts' for such courses are appointed by the FIH. The FIH Development and Coaching Committee is responsible for the appointment of one or two competent conductor(s) form the list of accredited FIH Coaches. In it s appointment policy for conductors, the FIH Development and Coaching Committee allows for several specific aspects of the individual Olympic Solidarity Courses 3. Olympic Solidarity informs the FIH of all grants awarded to National Associations 4. Olympic Solidarity basically only awards grants for courses at national level(?) 5. Having obtained a grant from Olympic Solidarity to organise a course, National Associations are urgently requested to send copies of all information received from Olympic Solidarity to the FIH. This will enable the FIH to give all possible support to the National Association and appoint, in due time, competent conductor(s) and to establish the contact between the conductor(s) and the National Association in order to obtain an optimal organisation of the course. 6. After completion of the course report (in a standard format) should be sent to the FIH, which will then be forwarded to Olympic Solidarity. 7. The FIH strongly encourages all National Associations to organise Olympic Solidarity Courses. These courses have proven to be an important promotion for hockey and have made a very positive contribution to its development in the countries concerned. The FIH is pleased to give all possible assistance to National Associations.
FIH HIGH PERFORMANCE COACHING This category includes those who have successfully completed an FIH Final Coaching Course High Performance and have demonstrated very good up-to-date knowledge of hockey coaching. They are experienced high performance coaches and are able to convey their knowledge effectively to persons with less hockey knowledge and coaching experience. This makes them good conductors of those Olympic Solidarity Coaching Courses in developing hockey countries in which participants already have hockey experience and the topics are more in the field of high performance rather than development coaching. FIH Coach Grade 1 High Performance This category includes those who have successfully completed an FIH Final Coaching Course High Performance and have demonstrated excellent up-to-date hockey coaching knowledge at high performance level. They have the ability to convey their information to other knowledgeable coaches as well as to less experienced ones. FIH Coaches Grade 1 High Performance may be appointed to conduct all kinds of high performance oriented Olympic Solidarity Coaching Courses and to assist an FIH Master Coach as a second conductor at an FIH Coaching Course High Performance. FIH Coach Grade 1 High Performance may also be appointed to assist an FIH Master Coach as a second conductor at FIH non-accreditation Coaching Events such as an FIH Coaching Conference High Performance and/or Development and as FIH Coaching Workshop High Performance. FIH Coach Development This category includes those who have successfully completed an FIH Final Coaching Course Development and have demonstrated very good up-to-date of hockey development coaching knowledge. They have good development coaching experience and also a wider knowledge, not only of coaching but also of administration, technical aspects, umpiring etc. This will make them good conductors of Olympic Solidarity Coaching Courses for coaches involved in coaching young players anywhere or beginners in developing hockey countries. FIH Coach Grade 1 Development This category includes those who have successfully completed an FIH Final Coaching Course Development and have demonstrated excellent up-to-date hockey development coaching knowledge. They have ample development coaching experience and also a wider knowledge, not only of coaching but also of administration, technical aspects, umpiring etc. FIH Coaches Grade 1 Development may be appointed to all levels of Olympic Solidarity Coaching Courses, which are not specifically high performance courses, and to assist an FIH Master Coach as second conductor at an FIH Coaching Course Development (Or FIH Final Coaching Course Development)!!! They may also be appointed to assist an FIH Master Coach as a second conductor at FIH non-accredited Coaching Events such as an FIH Coaching Conference Development or an FIH Coaching Workshop Development. FIH Master Coach This category includes those who have successfully completed an FIH Final Coaching Course High Performance and/or Development and have demonstrated extraordinary hockey coaching knowledge both high performance and development. They have a record of outstanding performance in both development coaching and high performance coaching at the highest level. These coaches have the ability to effectively convey knowledge to other experienced and less experienced coaches and, therefore, are deemed qualified to teach and coach at FIH Coaching Courses High Performance and Development and FIH Final Coaching Courses High Performance and Development as well as all levels of Olympic Solidarity Coaching Courses. They may also be appointed to conduct FIH non- Accreditation Coaching Events such as FIH Coaching Conferences High Performance and/or Development and FIH Coaching Workshops High Performance and Development. FIH COACHING WORKSHOPS FIH Coaching Workshop High Performance Purpose: FIH Coaching Workshop High Performance is the workshop for FIH Accredited Coaches and other qualifying coaches to interact and to upgrade their knowledge. At the same time, the workshop can prepare candidates for an FIH Coaching Course High Performance. They can be invited to apply after recommendation by their NHAs.
Period: 1 workshop to be held in each continent in each 2-year period. 3 days, preferably in conjunction with an international and/or continental high level event, which attracts many high performance coaches. Number of participants: 25 maximum. FIH Accredited Coaches High Performance and other coaches recommended by NHAs and who hold the highest national accreditation of their NHA. All NHAs will receive an announcement from the FIH, together with application forms for participation. The procedure is the same as for an FIH Coaching Course. All FIH Coaches receive an announcement and registration form from the FIH. Conductor: FIH Master Coach and/or FIH Coach grade 1 High Performance. Format: Workshop, interaction, and presentation by conductors, guest speakers and participants. Others: Organised in co-operation with the FIH and CHF or NHA. Participants receive a certificate of participation. FIH Coaching Workshop Development Purpose: FIH Coaching Workshop Development is the workshop for FIH Accredited Coaches and other qualifying coaches to interact and to upgrade their knowledge. At the same time, the workshop can prepare candidates for an FIH Coaching Course Development. They can be invited to apply after recommendation by their NHAs. Period: 1 workshop to be held in each continent in each 2-year period. 3 days, preferably in conjunction with an international and/or continental high level event, which attracts many high performance coaches Number of participants: 25 maximum. FIH Accredited Coaches Development and other coaches recommended by NHAs and who hold the highest national accreditation of their NHA. All NHAs will receive an announcement from the FIH, together with application forms for participation. The procedure is the same as for an FIH Coaching Course. All FIH Coaches receive an announcement and registration form from the FIH. Conductor: FIH Master Coach and/or FIH Coach Grade 1 Development. Format: Workshop, interaction, and presentation by conductors, guest speakers and participants. Others: Organised in co-operation with the FIH and CHF or NHA. Participants receive a certificate of participation. FIH FINAL COACHING SEMINARS GENERAL PROCEDURES 1. Seven months before the Course will take place: The FIH will invite all eligible coaches to submit their application for participation in this FIH Final Coaching Course. The invitations will be sent through, or with a copy to, the National Associations of the eligible coaches. The FIH informs all National Associations in order to enable those to recommend coaches under the rule, which allows them to do so. The FIH will enclose application forms with these invitations/this information) 2. Five months before the start of the Course: Invited eligible candidates must apply for participation with the FIH through their National Association National Associations have to register their recommendation for participation, together with the required endorsement. The FIH informs the National Associations about the applications and registrations received. 3. Four months before the start of the Course the FIH will inform all candidates through their National Association whether the applicant: Has been accepted or has been put on the reserve list or Cannot be accepted as a participant either because too many registrations have been received or because their application has insufficient endorsement. In the case that more than 16 applications for a FIH Final Coaching Course are received, the Development and Coaching Committee will decide which 16 applicants are to be accepted. In
doing so it will allow or real international participation and a reasonable number of qualified participants from the host National Association. Upon confirmation, each participant will be awarded a topic, which they must present during the Course. 4. Two months before the start of the Course, the qualified participants must have paid their participation fee. 5. One month before the Course starts each participant must submit a written report, in English, on his or her relevant topic. During the Course the participant will present this report in an oral presentation of the topic concerned. The presentation will be followed by a discussion. The report and presentation will be used as one of the criteria for evaluation and will provide an opportunity for participants to interact and collaborate with the group in attendance. Additionally, each participant will be asked to present a coaching session. The host has the right to register five (5) observers in addition to the officially registered participants. The purpose of the observer attendance their role must be included in the submission to the FIH Development and Coaching Committee. The Development and Coaching Committee may also propose observers from other countries to the Host Association. The total number of observers, however, will not be more than five, unless otherwise agreed between the FIH Development Coaching Committee, the National Association and the Course Conductor(s). Content of the FIH Final Coaching Course techniques (analysis and teaching methods) attacking play (tactics) defending play (tactics) team play (tactics, strategies and game analysis) set plays (variations) goalkeeping coaching methodology rules interpretation match analysis During the FIH Final Coaching Course the participants will be responsible for the dissemination of information relative to their selected report. The Conductors are to provide general direction and format for the proceedings. Small group discussions with an appointed leader are encouraged. Such groups should not exceed five in number and Conductors should ensure that participants with extensive knowledge are mixed with those of less experience. When possible, it should be strongly recommended that visiting experts, who might include sports scientists, may attend to contribute to the selected themes. Evaluation Criteria To participate in a FIH Final Coaching Course, applicants must establish their ability to successfully fulfil the practical component of coaching prior to being accepted as candidates. Practical coaching expertise will be confirmed by: Assessments by FIH Coaching Course Conductors Recommendations from the National Associations endorsed by two FIH Master Coaches or FIH Coaches Grade 1, at least being from a country other than that of the applicant Participants will be assessed by the Course Conductors with regard to their hockey and coaching knowledge in line with: 1. Coaching Activities Level of coaching Coaching record Consistent coaching performance over a period of time
2. Contribution to the Course Demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge by presentations and contributions Demonstrate the ability to convey and to exchange knowledge with other coaches of different levels of knowledge and experience. 3. Research Capabilities The ability to collect data for written and oral presentation in a logical and research-oriented manner. It is mandatory that Course Conductors submit the Course Report (please see under course reports part) to the Chairperson of the FIH Development and Coaching Committee no later than one month after the Course finishes. Conductors are expected to give a concise report on their assessment and their recommendations for nominations for appointment or upgrading of each individual participant. These recommendations will be recorded as: Recommendation for nomination as FIH Coach Recommendation for nomination as FIH Coach - Grade 1 Should gain further knowledge and experience before attending a further FIH Final Coaching Course Should gain more knowledge and experience and is encouraged to prepare for participation in a future FIH Final Coaching Course No recommendation for nomination or special recommendation The Conductors report will reflect the rationale for grading candidates. Based upon the assessment, the FIH Development and Coaching Committee has the responsibility to nominate those participants who clearly demonstrate adequate coaching qualities for appointment in one of the levels of accredited coaches. Furthermore upgrading can be proposed where a justifiable rationale for such promotion is presented. After each FIH Final Coaching Course and subsequent to an FIH Executive Board meeting in which appointments or upgrading take place the Development and Coaching Committee will prepare and circulate an updated list of the accredited FIH Coaches in the three levels High Performance and Development.