The more accurate title for this assessment is ‘The plyometric/ballistic and speed/agility assessment’ where you will be paired with another candidate and will take turns in the coaching and athlete roles. If, due to injury you are not able to perform the athlete role for another candidate, we can organise a substitute. Please let the office know as soon as possible in order to enable the schedule to be adjusted as necessary. A quality assurance/lead assessor may also be present, but they are there to observe the assessor, not you.

You will be allocated one of six, structured scenarios and within this scenario 1x plyometric/ballistic and 1x speed/agility exercise. A selection of equipment will be provided such as micro-hurdles, plyo boxes, medicine balls, cones, tennis balls.

The 20 minute assessment is split into approximately:

• 2 minutes planning
• 4-5 minutes coaching a warm-up to prepare the athlete for the session ahead
• 4-5 minutes of coaching the plyometric/ballistic drill
• 4-5 minutes of coaching the speed/agility drill

Followed by questions from the assessor.

TOP TIPS IN YOUR PREPARATION 

• Know the technical models for all 20 exercises and practice coaching them with athletes of varying abilities. Know how to progress and regress each and how modifications may impact the quality you are training
• You are being assessment on your coaching skills as well as your knowledge. You must coach the athlete in front of you on the day and react to their ability and performance during the session. Pay attention to specific detail of technique and demonstrate strategies to improve the performance of the athlete in front of you, whether that is an improvement of technique, or if their technique if good, provide a progressive challenge
• Ensure you verbally screen your athlete for injuries and previous training experience at the start and ensure the warm-up prepares the athlete for the session ahead. Also use the warm-up as an opportunity to observe and coach
• Think of the quality you have been asked to improve and the athlete’s ability when coaching the exercise you were allocated. Be clear about the rationale for all exercise selections and progress, regress or intensify according to their ability. Don’t intensify if their technique needs improvement
• Use the space and equipment safely and effectively and be well versed in safety considerations, particularly in the area of plyometrics
• In plyometrics, you should be clear on the difference between fast and slow stretch shortening cycles and which your athlete is doing
• Be aware of time and make sure you have practiced delivering a similar session in the allocated time.

WHY DO PEOPLE FAIL THIS ASSESSMENT? 

The pass rate for those on their first PAS assessment is around 30%, and the most important lesson to learn from those that fail is to prepare well. You know the scenarios ahead of time, you don’t know which you will be allocated on the day so prepare for them all.

In addition, don’t make these common mistakes, while not automatic failure points, making them won’t support you in demonstrating competency:

• Don’t join in with the warm-up as it hampers your ability to observe properly
• Make sure the warm-up prepares the athlete for the session ahead, follow the RAMP protocol and use the potentiation phase to introduce components of the main session
• Work on your own demonstrations as a poor demonstration that conflicts with your description, can communicate the wrong technical model to your athlete
• Make sure you check for safety and screen for injuries before the session starts
• Wear a watch and don’t rely on your phone’s stopwatch as it can interfere with the smooth running of your session
• Use all the time available and don’t finish early, the assessors are looking for you to progress the athlete in this session so use the time you have to do this
• Progress or regress the athlete as required – don’t move an athlete onto more complexity if they can’t perform a drill well, work on their technique
• Consider the scenario aims and observe the athlete performing the drill before you break it down, know what you are working with and towards
• Don’t reinforce poor movement with a ‘well done’ and remember to coach and talk to the athlete, don’t direct your words towards the assessor except when they ask you questions
• Learn from the right people and consider attending the UKSCA plyometric, agility, speed workshop. While learning from other experienced coaches is valuable, learning from UKSCA tutors and assessors will give you the best chance to meet the requirements of accreditation.