Athletics Coach

The course consists of 3 face to face contact days, online self-led modules, and a practical assessment. The course also includes an online Knowledge Test. Candidates will be able to plan a progressive training programme for athletes, coaching a range of activities to prepare the developing athlete to run, jump and throw. When qualified you will be insured to coach without supervision.

Day 1 & 2 of the course will cover the generic content of running, jumping, and throwing. Candidates can then select an event technical option including Endurance, Throws, Jumps and Speed.

Candidates must engage in tasks and activities throughout the course and demonstrate improvement following any discussions with course staff. Candidates not engaging within all aspects of the course are at risk of not gaining the qualification at the end of the process.

Athletics Coaches have many different roles.

• To identify, plan for and continually evaluate the development needs of athletes.
• To supervise Coaching Assistants or Leaders in the delivery of whole sessions or part of sessions.
• To manage the safety and welfare of those under your supervision.

When qualified and licensed, the Athletics Coach ideally will be operating in a team environment with a range of Coaching Assistants and other coaches in the planning and delivery of these programmes.

Home Country Athletics Associations promote a culture of coaching co-operation and collaboration by providing further opportunities for formal learning and coach development. The Athletics Coach programme is a formal step towards becoming licensed as a Coach, however, this is only the first step of the coach development journey.

Coaches must be 18 or over to embark on the Athletics’ Coach programme. The programme is for those working with all athletes but with a focus on those in the Foundation to Event Group Development stages. Ideally all applicants should be actively involved with groups and have access to foundation stage athletes a minimum of twice a week for a period of at least eight consecutive weeks.

Candidates should have a minimum of a Coaching Assistant award or an old UKA Level 1 award. It is strongly recommended that coaches have three months minimum practical experience of coaching after the completion of the award before commencing on the AC programme. Candidates may progress quicker, at their own discretion, however insufficient coaching experience may have an impact in successfully completing the assessed elements of the programme

To enable you to book on to this course, you must hold an in date Scottish Athletics coach licence (with a qualification that meets the outlined prerequisites).

A new licence will be issued on completion of the course and all required components.

Further information on licensing can be found here:

Obtaining and Renewing your Leader/ Coach Licence

The course structure is summarised below:

• Complete the pre course tasks and relevant First Aid,
• Attend Day’s 1 & 2 of the course (9:00am-5:00pm) and the online coach developer led safeguarding session
• Complete Day 3 module, knowledge test and pre assessment tasks
• Attend the Day 4 assessment (9:00am-5:00pm).

Days 1 & 2 – Generic Content:

• Physical Preparation
• Running for Speed
• Running over Obstacles
• Running for Endurance
• Jumping for Distance
• Jumping for Height
• Push Throw
• Pull Throw
• Coaching Process

Event Group Technical Content

Coaches can choose one of the following:

• Speed – including Starts, Acceleration, Maximum Velocity, Hurdles, Relay and Wheelchair racing
• Throws – including all 4 Throws (Shot, Discus, Javelin, Hammer and Seated Throw)
• Jumps – including all 4 Jumps (Long, Triple, High and Pole Vault)
• Endurance – including Walks, Steeplechase, Middle Distance and Wheelchair Racing

Upcoming Athletics Coach courses are listed on our Coaching Qualifications page.

Bookings are now made on our online booking system – Athletics Hub

If you have any questions about Athletics Coach courses and bookings, please email coaching@scottishathletics.org.uk.