Coaching Workshops

These courses form part of the MLTA's continuing professional development and are hosted at Beacon Climbing Centre. More information and booking forms can be found on the MLTA website www.mlta.co.uk.

Cost: £40 for MLTA members, £50 non-members.

Effective Coaching For Climbing Instructors

This course examines the theory and practice of teaching and learning and how they interact with anxiety. All of the skills covered come under the umbrella of what can be considered "Effective Coaching". The 'c' word is becoming more prevalent in climbing and MLT are currently developing a climbing coaching award. This one day workshop will help you to fulfil your CPD requirements. It is suitable for CWA, SPA and MIA award holders and trainees as well as parents of keen climbers and in house trained climbing wall staff.

The main themes for this workshop are...

Psychology of learning,
Effects of anxiety on learning,
Learning pathways,
Stages of learning,
Effective practice,
Observation and analysis,
Feedback and reflective practice.

Saturday 15th October 2011 (10am-5pm)

Long Term Development of Young Climbers

This workshop looks at the long term development of young climbers, a thorny issue and one that has been addressed by the BMC FUNdamentals courses. This workshop focuses on what to coach and when, as well as looking much more comprehensively at developing young competition climbers through the use of mental skills training. If you work in a climbing wall and are involved in working with young climbers or you are a parent and would like to know more to help coach your own children, this course will help you better understand the needs and considerations involved in coaching a young person. This course will also be of interest to CWA, SPA and MIA award holders and trainees.

The day will include...

LTAD (Long Term Athlete Developement) late development model;
What to coach and when;
What not to coach- avoiding injury and long term harm;
Modified practice in the build up to competition;
Introducing competitive anxiety;
Introducing mental skills to young climbers.

Saturday 22nd October 2011 (10am-5pm)

Coaching Movement Workshop

This one day practical workshop looks at the development of climbing movement from the fundamental skills through to more advanced movement, with an emphasis on developing effective practice and feedback during coaching. Technique coaching is a branch of skill acquisition where coaches can develop an individual's overall skill through the introduction and development of motor skills. By the end of this workshop, you will not only be able to break down skills into a progression for those you are teaching but you may also find your own skills have been developed.

You will look at...

Agility, balance and coordination;
Centre of gravity awareness;
Footwork and body position;
Rock overs;
Games for fundamental movement;
Accuracy and precision of the feet;
Handholds- type and orientation;
Easier features- aretes, corners, grooves and slabs;
Harder features- overhangs, drop knees and flagging;
The use of effective practice in developing skill.

The workshop will be of interest to CWA, SPA and MIA award holders and trainees as well as parents of climbers and in house trained climbing wall staff who want to understand more about how to teach and coach.

Sunday 23rd October 2011 (10am-5pm)

Mental Skill Techniques for Climbing Instructors

This workshop covers a selection of mental skills and methods for introducing them to climbers. Mental skills are psychology techniques that can enhance performance and reduce the negative effects of the anxiety that can play a large role in the sport of rock climbing. This workshop defines mental skills and then looks at ways to apply them to coaching climbers in an indoor setting, although they are also transferable to lead climb coaching outdoors. Once mental skills have been defined you will look at ways to implement them info your own coaching sessions. Many of these skills are a great way to help develop a climber's mental toughness for either competition or lead climbing.

You will look at:

What are mental skills?;
Anxiety and its effect in performance;
Developing Climbing Confidence;
Developing positive imagery;
Identifying and combating negative self-talk;
Relaxation techniques;
How to set effective goals;
Ethical considerations.

This workshop will be of interest and relevance to CWA, SPA and MIA award holders and trainees as well as parents of climbers and in house trained climbing wall staff who want to learn more about how to teach and coach.

Sunday 6th November 2011 (10am-5pm)