What Coaches Should Know - 8 Domains of Coaching Competencies

Background

In 2006, NASPE called on experts from national governing bodies of sport, the United States Olympic Committee, National Federation of State High School Associations, and NASPE leadership to review and revise the popular 1995 standards for athletic coaches to be more consistent with current sport research and best practice.

The result is the National Standards for Sport Coaches (NSSC), 2 nd Edition. Download the NSSC Brochure

This publication identifies the skills and knowledge every coach needs to have and is organized into eight domains that describe significant coaching responsibilities.

Each of the 40 standards in this book is identified under a domain, presented with an explanation of its purpose and accompanied by benchmarks to provide concrete examples of actions and orientations that constitute coaching competence.

The benchmarks are performance guides which can be used in developing and assessing coaching competence, and can be applied to any sport or coaching program.

Purpose

The National Standards for Sport Coaches are intended to provide direction for administrators, coaches, athletes and the public regarding the skills and knowledge that coaches should possess.

Coaching educators can use this book to provide quality training that will have a positive impact on their coaches’ performance. For sport administrators, this publication establishes benchmarks that can be used for hiring quality coaches. For coaches at every level, this publication is a performance guide for their own professional growth and skill development. The overriding premise in the development of this document; however, is that its contents be used to ensure the enjoyment, safety, and positive skill development of America's athletes.

8 Domains of Coaching Competencies and Sample Standards

Domain 1: Philosophy and Ethics is a new domain title that reflects the reorganization and prioritization of standards. Standards 1 through 4 clearly articulate the importance of an athlete-centered coaching philosophy and professional accountability for for fair play by all.
Sample Standard 1

Domain 2: Safety and Injury Prevention maintains the core standards of coach responsibility for providing safe conditions and appropriate actions when emergencies arise. It also addresses the need for coaches to know how to effectively participate as part of the sports medicine team. Standards 5 through 11 establish expectations for coaches to create and maintain a safe and healthy sport experience for all athletes.
Sample Standard 8

Domain 3: Physical Conditioning is an updated and more behavioral description of coaching responsibilities in the areas of physiological training, nutrition education, and maintaining a drug-free environment. Standards 12 through 15 highlight the importance of using scientific principles in designing and implementing conditioning programs for natural performance gains. Specific attention is given to body composition and weight management issues as well as awareness of contraindicated activities and over-training concerns. The important role physical conditioning plays in preventing and recovering from injuries is also included.
Sample Standard 13