Practicum

Requirements

The Practicum component of the Master's of Kinesiology in Coaching at York University will be supervised by the Practicum Coordinator, the Primary Advisor, and the Master/Mentor Coach. The Primary Advisor who directs the student's overall program will be involved in the evaluation process; the Master/Mentor Coach will provide opportunities for technical and tactical development; the Practicum Coordinator will liaise/oversee the activities between the Master/Mentor Coach, the student and the Primary Advisor.

The goal of the Practicum component is to provide students with advanced applied coaching opportunities that meet the highest education and evaluation standards. The Practicum is designed to incorporate the latest sport specific technical and tactical developments. In addition, the Practicum will provide the opportunity for students to develop their own coaching style. The students' pedagogical, analytical, critical and conceptual potential will be refined, including the intervention skills required for effective coaching at the elite level. Each student will work with a recognized Master/Mentor Coach for the duration of the Practicum. Students will be expected to demonstrate a high degree of expertise, competency and leadership during their "hands on" involvement with elite athletes in a variety of training and competitive situations.

Pre-Requisites of the Practicum 

Students enrolled in the Coaching Practicum must meet the following criteria:

  • Be fully certified at Level III of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). [Theory, Technical and Practical].
  • Have a Master/Mentor Coach who has been approved by the Practicum Coordinator.
  • Complete and submit a Practicum Outline (enclosed).
  • Have a Practicum Field Work Proposal (enclosed) approved by the Practicum Coordinator. The proposal consists of:
    • A description of the sport season i.e. training sessions and competitions. 
    • The schedule of contact hours (minimum requirement is 200 hours).
    • The level of expertise of the athlete(s).
    • The learning objectives determined by the student and the Master/Mentor Coach. 
    • The NCCP / NSO Tasks (where applicable). 

Responsibility of the Student

1. Practicum Outline (enclosed)

The student will:

  • Complete the Practicum Outline and submit a copy to the Practicum Coordinator.

2. Practicum Field Work Proposal (enclosed)

The student will:

  • Submit the Practicum Field Work Proposal to the Practicum Coordinator for approval.

3. Schedule of Activities (see Handbook) 

The student will:

  • Complete the Schedule of Activities which includes:
    • Dates of Student Observation of Master/Mentor or Expert Coach (minimum of 20 observations)
    • Dates of Practice Assessment by the Master/Mentor Coach (8 Practices)
    • Dates of Tutorials (25 hours)
    • Dates of Coaching in a Competition
  • Provide a brief description of:
    • Training Program Involvement
    • Testing of Athletes
  • Assigned Duties List NCCP / NSO Tasks (see Handbook) as required by the National Sport Organization.
  • Submit the Schedule of Activities to the Master/Mentor Coach and the Practicum Coordinator: 
    • Fall Semester: September 15, 1999 
    • Winter Semester: January 15, 2000 

4. Executive Network (see Handbook)

The student will:

  • Complete the Executive Network monitoring for Success Form with the Master/Mentor Coach to facilitate a positive working relationship.

5. Training Program / Testing

The student will:

  • Analyze the Training Program.
  • Assist in the monitoring of the athlete(s).
  • Assist in the testing of the athlete(s).

6. Assigned Duties

The student will:

  • Conduct Assigned Duties as directed by the Master/Mentor Coach.

7. Observation of Master / Mentor Coaches or other Expert Coach

The student will:

  • Observe a minimum of 20 Practices/Competitions conducted by the Master/Mentor Coach or other Expert Coaches.
  • Select the relevant topics for observation listed in the Tutorial Workbook.
  • Discuss the Tutorial Topics with the Master / Mentor Coach.
  • Include a copy of each completed Tutorial Report (see Handbook) in the Progress Report.

8. Tutorials

The student will:

  • Attend a minimum of 25 hours of Tutorials with the Master / Mentor Coach.
  • Be prepared to discuss:
    • Personal progress.
    • Issues and questions arising from the Tutorial Workbook topics.
    • Issues and questions arising from the Mentor / Mentoree Journals.
    • Issues and questions arising from the knowledge, skills and attitudes gained in the Graduate courses and the Practicum as applied to the practice of the art and science of coaching.
    • Any topic designated by the Master/Mentor coach.

9. Practice Session

The student will:

  • Attend all Practice Sessions conducted by the Master/Mentor Coach . 
  • In consultation with the Master/Mentor Coach: 
    • Assess the individual needs of the athletes and implement and adjust appropriate training activities. 
    • Analyze the technical skills of the sport, and communicate corrective action clearly and concisely to the athlete(s). 
    • Evaluate practice sessions and describe the strengths and weaknesses, rationale and make recommendations for change. 
    • Communicate effectively and purposefully in a practice setting. 
    • Attend Practice Sessions conducted by other Expert Coaches. 

10. Practice Assessment by Master / Mentor Coach

The student will:

  • Submit a Practice Plan (see Handbook) to the Master/Mentor Coach prior to each Practice Assessment (total of 8 Practice Assessments by Master/Mentor Coach).
  • Conduct a minimum of eight (8) Practice Sessions throughout the season.
  • Complete the Student Self-Assessment of Practice Session (see Handbook) after each Practice Assessment and include a copy in the Progress Report.

11. Coaching in a Competition

The student will:

  • Prepare athletes for a minimum of two (2) competitions, coach at these competitions, and debrief athletes and others following the competitions.
  • Design an effective pre-competition and competition plan and accompanying strategies for the day of competition.
  • Submit the Competition / Game Plan (see Handbook) to the Master / Mentor Coach.
  • Implement, adjust and assess competition/game day activities in order to help athlete(s) perform optimally.
  • In consultation with the Master / Mentor Coach evaluate the strengths and weaknesses demonstrated during the competition and provide recommendations.
  • Complete the Competition / Game Plan Evaluations (see Handbook) and include a copy in the Progress Report.

12. Progress Report

The student will:

  • Submit a Progress Report every two months to the Master/Mentor Coach and the Practicum Coordinator. 
  • The Progress Report will consist of:
    • A 1-2 page summary of activities in the Practicum commenting on what was done, what has been learned, what was deemed exceptional, what learning experiences should be pursued during the next two months and any other suggestions for learning activities 
    • A 1-2 page reflection on identified material from the Graduate courses which was immediately applicable to the Practicum. 
    • Complete Tutorial Reports and Journal Reports. 

13. NCCP / NSO Tasks

The student may:

  • Complete NCCP / NSO Tasks as required by the NSO (see Handbook).


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