The Fundamentals of Coaching

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has made education-based interscholastic athletics and activities its No. 1 priority. Since its founding in 1920, the NFHS has been a leader in standardizing rules, creating awareness of issues and working to enhance participation in interscholastic activities, among countless other endeavors.

On April 30, 2006, the NFHS ended its partnership with the American Sport Education Program (ASEP), and began development of the NFHS Coach Education Program. The Fundamentals of Coaching course was designed exclusively for interscholastic coaches to teach lifelong skills to students-athletes. The NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching course has come a long way since its inception just over a year ago.

"Some suggested changes we would have liked to see implemented in the existing (ASEP) program were not going to be possible within the timeframe we felt was needed. Secondly, we wanted to train many thousands more coaches than we were training with the existing program," said Bob Kanaby, NFHS executive director.

The first task in this project was to assemble a team capable of not only developing, but also implementing and promoting the program to NFHS member associations. Darren Treasure, Ph.D., of CAI Performance Systems Inc., Phoenix, Arizona, developed all content for the Fundamentals of Coaching course, and he also oversaw the development and implementation of the course.  
Creative Street Media Group (CSMG) of Indianapolis began the development of the scripts and infrastructure necessary to support the NFHS online program.

"The work provided by CSMG to make both the Fundamentals of Coaching and the First Aid for Coaches course available online is indispensable and cannot be minimized," said Tim Flannery, NFHS assistant director and coordinator of the NFHS Coach Education Program. "The behind-the-scenes workings of the site -- from creating the ability to see the course, to keeping track of all the coaches and being able to pay online – took an immense amount of time."

On January 3, 2007, the online course was officially launched. The course includes many different interactive capabilities that allow the coaches to read, watch and offer ideas on how to relate and teach students. "Teachable Moments," for example, are short videos that show how common interactions that might otherwise be overlooked can be used to teach an important lesson.

Once the online course was offered, the blended course materials were developed, including a guide for both the instructors and participants, as well as a flash presentation CD. This allows an instructor to blend the online course with in-person teaching. This is an alternative for many coaches who want to interact and bounce ideas off other coaches and teachers. On June 4, 2007, the blended version of the course was launched.

"We are extremely pleased with the reaction we have received from our member state associations and the enthusiasm expressed by those individuals who have taken the course, and we see it as a means of meeting our goals and objectives. We believe this program will make a difference in the lives of young people and the adults who supervise and conduct their activities," Kanaby said.

As of August 2007, 36 states had adopted the Fundamentals of Coaching and had signed an intent form to use the course. These states require their coaches to complete this program as a requirement to coach in their state. Another nine states are currently reviewing the course.

"We are excited that this is just the beginning of an extensive program of outreach and content that will positively influence young people in this nation who choose to exercise the privilege of participation in high school sports. We believe it complements our core mission of encouraging them to take part and get set for life," Kanaby said.

The Fundamentals of Coaching and First Aid courses are moving along at a rapid speed. With 36 states already actively using the courses, and another nine in review, the course is well on its way to being the standard.

Kanaby is confident that this is the case, stating, "We anticipate that this program will ultimately carry forth the educational message of high school sports in our nation's secondary schools. We believe that the coach is the linchpin of any initiative that attempts to improve the culture of sport in America and most directly in the high school program."

For more information, visit www.nfhslearn.com.