On Saturday 23rd March 2002 five members of the Sil Lum Kune Chinese Boxing Association attended the BCCMA Level 2 Coaching Course at the School Headquarters in Exhall, taken by Chris Ellerker, former national coach and Coach Education Officer to the BCCMA.

The BCCMA Coaching Course is a National Qualification. Several senior members of the school have already taken this course and passed, and it is expected that all students who wish to become instructors will undertake this, and other courses offered by the BCCMA.

It is a significant step forward that martial art schools recognise the need to move toward a more professional attitude to training, and certainly a step in the right direction.

For any person who has ever maintained fitness through aerobic exercise or weight training, actually understanding the why’s and wherefore’s is not always foremost in their mind.  The consequence is often pain; repetitive injury and the results are not always what are expected.  The failure to train correctly can also lead to a lifetime of health problems.  Over the years the same problems have been associated with training in martial arts.

This course is superb, during 7 hours we are assessed on our knowledge of Duty of Care, Prevention of Accidents, Coaching Philosophy, Preparation, Running Classes, Producing Coaching Plans, and last and perhaps most importantly when in a position of trust, Protection of Children from Abuse.

Obviously without previous knowledge and understanding of the importance of warm ups, stretching, how, what and why we stretch and so on, it would not be possible to undertake this course, therefore students have to be competent and knowledgeable in the first place.

The course is essential to ensure safe practises are maintained at all times.  It ensures that each instructor is competent in training techniques at every level, whether teaching beginners or advanced students.  It ensures a high level of understanding the requirements of warming up, stretching and warming down. 

Most importantly it ensures the role of Sifu is a professional position that students can trust implicitly.

I for one look forward to the rest of the courses offered by the BCCMA .

Written by Alex Hyde.