The Value of a Modular Design in Competition – Introduction Course
– by Neale Gillespie

Canada Basketball is in the process of training Learning Facilitators to deliver their new NCCP Competition – Introduction course, Basketball - Intro to Comp to their coaches. During the design and pilot phase it became clear to Canada Basketball that offering a flexible delivery method was vital to clubs and associations across Canada. To this end, they developed a modular approach similar to the multi-sport modules offered by the provinces and territories.

Mike MacKay, Canada Basketball’s Manager of Coach Education and Development explains, “By offering a modular approach, the Learning Facilitator can deliver the training in three-hour blocks over a several days or weeks. We have found the coaches to be more alert and have the opportunity to reflect upon their current practices and to apply some of their learning between sessions. Through this approach we have also started to develop the idea of mentorship and on-going learning.” The modular approach can still be delivered in the traditional weekend workshop environment. This flexibility is helping associations meet the needs of their coaches within their specific environment.

Canada Basketball is a strong supporter of the Make Ethical Decisions (MED) module. Mike MacKay comments, “the MED module is an excellent process for coaches to use when faced with an ethical situation. In other words, a situation has happened or a decision has to be made, now what are you going to do? We wanted our coaches to consider how their actions may prevent situations before they occur. This means three things: that coaches can begin to develop a coaching philosophy that embraces LTAD principles and the NCCP code of ethics, that coaches learn how to teach their athletes responsibility and leadership skills helping these athletes to become more self-reliant, and that coaches learn how to work closely with parents to explain their philosophy in order to help prevent issues from arising.” Canada Basketball has expanded upon the Make Ethical Decisions (MED) module within the Competition – Introduction context to include teaching values to their athletes. By teaching values to their athletes, basketball coaches are able to help these athletes to learn how to take responsibility and to become more independent both on and off the court. Canada Basketball and the CAC continue to work together to stress the importance of both MED and values in coaching.

For more information on the Canada Basketball Competition – Introduction context design, please contact Mike MacKay, Manager Coach Education and Development, Canada Basketball at mmackay@basketball.ca.