The Coach Education Unit successfully launched its highly anticipated Level 2 Coaching Course on November 18th at the SSC Conference Hall. This comprehensive program, aimed at developing advanced coaching skills, brought together aspiring coaches from across the country for an intensive day of learning and hands-on activities.

Day 1 of the program commenced with a session on Identifying Learning Goals, led by esteemed Coach Educators K. Karthigeshan and Nilantha Wimalaweera. The educators emphasized the importance of setting clear objectives tailored to individual players’ needs, providing a strong foundation for effective coaching strategies. Following this, Lead Coach Educator Kaushalya Gajasinghe delivered an insightful presentation on the Role of an Advanced Coach, detailing the responsibilities and expectations at this elevated coaching level, including player development, game strategy, and performance analysis.

The morning session continued with a lecture by renowned coach Amila Pinnaduwa, who discussed Teaching and Learning for Coaches. Pinnaduwa explored the differences between implicit and explicit learning, explaining how coaches can utilize these methods to enhance player development. To reinforce the concepts, practical activities and games were incorporated, allowing participants to apply the theories in real-time scenarios.

In the afternoon, Shanaka Fernando led a session on Mental Skills in Game-Based Coaching, focusing on essential mental skills for cricket, including concentration, resilience, and confidence-building techniques. He emphasized the significance of integrating mental skills training into practice routines to improve players’ on-field performance. This was followed by Kaushalya Gajasinghe’s session on Skill Acquisition, covering critical aspects such as skill development stages, distinctions between open and closed skills, and effective training methods like blocked and random practice. Practical demonstrations and interactive exercises were used to illustrate these concepts, providing coaches with actionable insights.

The day concluded with a comprehensive recap and reflection led by Coach Educator Chaminda Thotagamuwa, who summarized the key takeaways of the day’s sessions. Thotagamuwa provided valuable feedback and highlighted the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in coaching, setting a strong tone for the rest of the program. The first day of the Level 2 Coaching Course successfully equipped coaches with advanced skills, blending theory and practice to prepare them for future challenges in player development.

Location

Singhalese Sports Club