National Coaching Certification Process
Reach Higher!
The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) is here to help you be the best coach that you can be. When you take an NCCP clinic, you gain basketball technical abilities as well as leadership and decision-making skills. NCCP training will open doors to new opportunities in coaching and in life.
Process to Become a NCCP-Certified Coach
- Look at the Coaching Pathway and determine the appropriate stream for you based on the stage of athlete and level of competition you wish to coach.
- U10-U12: Learn to Train
- U13+: Train to Train
- U16+: Train to Compete (Optional – Not required by Ontario Basketball for Ontario Cup)
- Once you determine the course you need to take, look for the next available clinic in your region. (See clinic dates for FUNdamentals, Learn to Train, Train to Train and Train to Compete courses.)
- If you haven’t already, register for Game Plan.
- Course registration takes place on Game Plan through the Workshops tab. Here you’ll be able to see all the available courses.
- Find the course you’re looking for and click the red ‘Register’ button.
- Complete all of the required pre-course work.
- Attend the course.
- Upon completion of the course, you will be “Trained.”
- To become fully “Certified,” you must submit a Coach Portfolio through Game Plan.
- Your portfolio will be assigned to an evaluator in your to be marked.
- After your portfolio has been successfully evaluated, an evaluator in your region will contact you to set up your evaluation date and time.
- Upon successful completion of your evaluation, your evaluator will submit appropriate documentation to Ontario Basketball indicating that you are now “Certified.” (Please allow 6 to 8 weeks for your new status to be reflected on your NCCP transcript through The Locker.)
- Various professional development opportunities are available through Ontario Basketball, Canada Basketball, and the Coaches Association of Ontario and will be required to maintain your certification.
Contact
Amanda Hoang
Coordinator, Training & Education
Fundamental Movement Skills
The Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) of throwing, catching, jumping, striking, running, kicking, agility, balance and coordination form the basis for future sport skill development and for the life-long enjoyment of physical activity.
Take the FMS workshop to learn how to observe and instruct the fundamental movement skills.
FMS Workshop Outcomes
- Analyze and identify the various stages of development for the fundamental movement skills;
- Apply a six-step process to teaching the fundamental movement skills; and
- Create safe games where children can practice fundamental movement skills.
The Fundamental Movement Skills workshop is part of the National Coaching Certification Program. The workshop is 8 hours in length and provides an in-depth, comprehensive introduction to the Fundamental Movement Skills, the NCCP core-competencies, and includes a significant number of hands-on opportunities for learning.
Fundamental Movement Skills Workshops
Contact
For more information about the FMS workshop, visit the Coaches Association of Ontario website.
FUNdamentals
The Basketball FUNdamentals Community Coaching Course is a NCCP course developed by Canada Basketball, in conjunction with the Coaching Association of Canada, to deliver coach education to the community coach. It provides the mom/dad or entry-level coach with the necessary skills, knowledge and materials to deliver a safe, fun and age/stage-appropriate basketball experience for young athletes.
The FUNdamentals course is six hours and features a three-hour in-class session, which teaches the stages of development and of teaching basketball skills, goes over ethical decision making, and talks about concussions and why coaches are so important in the development of young athletes, and a three-hour on-court drills and skills session, which teaches coaches how to properly develop basketball fundamentals.
FUNdamentals Clinics
| Date | Location | Host | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
Contact
Amanda Hoang
Coordinator, Training & Education
Learn to Train
All new coaches and coaches working with athletes U10-U12 with Ontario Basketball should take the NCCP Learn to Train (L2T): Introduction to Competition course.
Most courses occur on weekends and consist of two eight-hour days. Topics covered include making ethical decisions, planning a practice, and how to develop skills through modified games. Approximately one-quarter of the course will take place in the gym on a basketball court, so participants must be prepared with appropriate gear.
See the cost breakdown for the Learn to Train course (.pdf).
Note: Participants must complete the associated pre-tasks, which are available through Game Plan, in advance of attending a Learn to Train clinic.
Evaluations
After the clinic, participants must submit a Coach Portfolio and arrange for an evaluation through Game Plan. Evaluations will take place at a practice that suits the schedule of the Evaluator and the coach.
The following steps must be completed prior to requesting an evaluation:
- Pass the Coaching Association of Canada online Make Ethical Decisions exam. (Log into The Locker using your NCCP number. Click on the “eLearning” tab and access the Make Ethical Decisions — Competition Introduction — Online Evaluation. There should be no charge as it is included in your Learn to Train course fee.)
- Submit a Coach Portfolio, which includes the completion of a detailed Practice Plan and the Emergency Action Plan, through Game Plan.
- Once you have submitted and passed the portfolio, follow the same process to request a practical evaluation through Game Plan.
Learn to Train Clinics
| Date & Time | Location | Host | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 19 & 20, 2019 | Lo Ellen S.S. (Sudbury) | Sudbury Jam | Game Plan $325 |
| October 26 & 27, 2019 | Kitchener-Waterloo C.I. | KW Vipers | Game Plan $325 |
| October 26 & 27, 2019 | St. John Paul II CSS (Scarborough) | SBA | Game Plan $325 |
| October 26 & 27, 2019 | Collingwood CI | Collingwood Trailblazers | Game Plan $325 |
| October 26 & 27, 2019 | Crestwood SS | Peterborough Power | Game Plan $325 |
| November 2 & 3, 2019 | LoEllen Park SS | Sudbury Jam | Game Plan $325 |
| November 2-3, 2019 | Leaside High School (Toronto) | Canadian Basketball Academy | Game Plan $325 |
| November 9 & 10, 2019 | John Paul II CSS (London) | London CYO | Game Plan $325 |
| November 9-10, 2019 | Grand Avenue School (Grimsby) | Grimsby Basketball Association | Game Plan $325 |
| November 9-10, 2019 | Quinte Mohawk School (Belleville) | Belleville Spirits | Game Plan $325 |
| December 14-15, 2019 | St. Clair College Healthplex (Chatham) | Chatham-Kent Wildcats | Game Plan $325 |
| January 25-26, 2019 | Notre Dame Catholic High School (Carleton Place) | Naismith Basketball | Game Plan $325 |
| March 7 & 8, 2020 | Kitchener-Waterloo C.I. | KW Vipers | Game Plan $325 |
Note: All clinics require a minimum of 10 participants. If the required number of registrations is not met within five days of the clinic start date, the course will be cancelled.
Contact
Amanda Hoang
Coordinator, Training & Education
Train to Train
The Train to Train (T2T): Introduction to Competition Advanced course should be taken by coaches working with athletes at the U13 age category and higher after completing the Learn to Train: Introduction to Competition course.
Most T2T courses occur on weekends and consist of a three-hour Friday night and two, eight-hour days on Saturday and Sunday. Topics covered include basic mental skills, planning for the development of basketball players, and how to support the athlete in training. Approximately one-quarter of the course will take place in the gym on a basketball court, so participants must be prepared with appropriate gear.
Participants must be fully certified at the Learn to Train level before being able to register for the Train to Train course, which is offered exclusively through Ontario Basketball.
Note: Participants must complete the associated pre-tasks, which are available through Game Plan, in advance of attending a Train to Train clinic.
Evaluation
After the clinic, participants must submit a Coach Portfolio and arrange for an evaluation through Game Plan. Evaluations will take place at a practice.
The following steps must be completed prior to requesting an evaluation:
- Pass the Coaching Association of Canada online Make Ethical Decisions exam. (Log into The Locker using your NCCP number. Click on the “eLearning” tab and access the Make Ethical Decisions — Competition Introduction — Online Evaluation.)
- Submit a Coach Portfolio through Game Plan.
Train to Train Clinics
| Date & Time | Location | Host | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 25 - 27, 2019 | A.Y. Jackson (Kanata) | KYBA | Game Plan $350 |
| October 25 - 27, 2019 | Friday: James Strath Public School Sat-Sun: Crestwood SS | Peterborough Power | Game Plan $350 |
| November 1-3, 2019 | St. John Paul II (Scarborough) | SBA | Game Plan $350 |
| November 1-3, 2019 | St. Peters CSS (Barrie) | South Simcoe Basketball Club | Game Plan $350 |
| November 15 - 17, 2019 | Kitchener-Waterloo C.I. | KW Vipers | Game Plan $350 |
| November 15 - 17, 2019 | John Paul II (London) | London CYO | Game Plan $350 |
| April 3 - 5, 2020 | Kitchener-Waterloo C.I. | KW Vipers | Game Plan $350 |
Note: All clinics require a minimum of 10 participants. If the required number of registrations is not met within five days of the clinic start date, the course will be cancelled.
Contact
Amanda Hoang
Coordinator, Training & Education
Train to Compete
The Train to Compete (T2C): Competition Development certification is comprised of three different components: theory, technical, and evaluation.
Theory Modules
The theory portion is available through the Coaches Association of Ontario by completing the following six Competition Development modules:
- Coaching and Leading
- Conflict Management
- Developing Athletic Ability
- Doping Prevention
- Injury Prevention
- Psychology of Performance
Learn more about these modules on the Coaches Association of Ontario website.
Theory Clinics
Technical Modules
The technical portion is available through Canada Basketball by completing the following three technical modules:
- Planning
- Strategies and Tactics
- Teaching Basketball Skills
Technical Clinics
Eligibility
To receive Train to Compete certification, a candidate must meet the following requirements:
- Have five years of coaching experience.
- Coach for two years at an elite level, defined as senior high school, regional team, University or College.
- Fulfill the following minimum hours (which may be achieved by coaching more than one team within two years):
- Training/Practice Component: 150 hours (70-80 practices)
- Game Component: 80 hours (40 games)
- Obtain Train to Train (Introduction to Competition Advanced) certification.
- Complete Train to Compete (Competition Development) technical modules through Ontario Basketball.
- Complete Competition Development theory modules through Coaches Association of Ontario.
- Complete an evaluation, as detailed below.
Evaluation
Coaches must submit the following through Game Plan:
- List of goals and objectives for the season
- Practice plan of a current practice
- Game plan (strategy) and/or scouting report for the game that will be evaluated
- Coaching/teaching resume
- One reference letter
- Copy of your coaching schedule, including practice dates, times, and locations.
An evaluator in your region will contact you to set up your evaluation date and time.
Contact
Amanda Hoang
Coordinator, Training & Education
Host a NCCP Clinic
To host an NCCP clinic, complete the clinic request form here.
Ontario Basketball will then reach out and confirm the details of your clinic. Approval will be based on:
- The NCCP clinic you wish to host (FUNdamentals, Learn to Train, or Train to Train)
- Confirmed dates
- Facility location
Approval will be based on:
- Dates, location and number of clinics already approved in that geographical region.
- Availability of the Learning Facilitator.
Upon approval of the clinic:
- A Learning Facilitator will be assigned by Ontario Basketball to deliver the clinic.
- Clinic date, location, and registration will be posted on the Ontario Basketball website.
- Coaches interested in attending the clinic will register and pay online through Game Plan.
Upon completion of the clinic:
- Coaches can apply for a 70% bursary through the Coaches Association of Ontario Quest for Gold Coach Bursary program.
- Host club will invoice Ontario Basketball for the host subsidy – $40 per coach in attendance, as long as the minimum number of coaches is hit (10 coaches per course).
National Coaching Institute
Levels four and five of the NCCP program represent the top levels of professional training for coaches. These levels prepare coaches for leadership roles in national and international sport, and ensure they will be effective within the high-performance sport system.
Levels four and five consist of an applied study program of 20 tasks which can be completed through full-time residence at a National Coaching Institute (NCI) or through a combination of Home Study and Technical courses.
Level three NCCP certification and approval from your National Sport Organization are prerequisites for entry. A physical education degree or equivalent experience in high-performance sport is highly recommended.
For more information on the NCI program, visit the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario website.
Contact
Amanda Hoang
Coordinator, Training & Education
* For discrepancies in coaching certifications from previous years, please contact:
Kauri LaFontaine
Senior Coordinator, Basketball Development