Wednesday 16 September 2009 history was made at Horley Town Football Club for I (Paul) achieved my F.A. Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Football (L2CCF).
 
Yes at the second attempt - but this time I was a better coach and a better coach of football. I am elated on this achievement, considering the week back in February (2009) when I wondered if I had bitten off more than I can chew!!
 
My thanks to Horley Town Football Club, Mark Sale, Simon Boddie, Chris Rivers, Ali Rennie, Senior 1st Team, U16 Blues Squad, Dermot Cooke, Roger Patterson, Alan Crowley, Steve Cloake, Rob Cortazzi, Nigel Abbot and the Surrey F.A.

Assessors Feedback 2:

l Good Second Practice and well developed
l Well managed game with satisfactory evidence of effective use of CF with practical examples of working with individuals and groups/units of players.
l Good Use of Q & A

Action Plan 2:

l Consolidate your coaching of Level 2 before considering further development.
l Work with / observe more experienced coaches.
l Consider F.A. Youth Award pathway.

First Assessment: May 2009 - "Breath of Fresh Air":

To quote Ted Dale - Beckham Academy Director who was my assessor - your session was a "breath of fresh air". Sadly I did not pass my Level 2 Assessment but I was a borderline "situation" and Ted felt a fail was the right thing to do, due to my technical nous is not quite on the ball.
 
Interesting as my Level 2 pack was the best there by a country mile and the tutors advised if you are borderline then you will probably pass. Passes were given to some who had not completed their pack to the same standard who were even completing their packs on the day of the assessment.

Assessors Feedback 1:

l Excellent Organisation
l Good Manner
l Excellent Use of Q & A
l Need to Review technical information

Action Plan 1:

l Re-assessment required asap.
l Also consider Youth Award Module 1 asap.

Level 2 Pack Feedback:

l Very good work.
l Utilise your very good method of preparation.

Self Reflection / Conclusions not passing first time:

Yes - I am disappointed as I have never been so CLOSE to a football qualification as today 28 May 2009, considering my history and or background is no where near football - some would say an excellent achievement but the disappointment of not passing my level 2 is? I don't know I had huge plans for my website celebrating my level 2 qual as I did for my Cricket Qual.
 
Going forward - I am not sure of the process for another assessment, I will contact the Surrey FA (Craig Hicks) and of course most football clubs will not be training between now and July/August. So my further practise will be difficult during the summer (the Cricket season).
 
I will of course discuss with my mentors at Horley Town Football Club who allowed me the privilege of coaching the senior First Team and my son's under 9 squad.
 
enjoy your summer and next time game on!!

Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Football - Why?:

brave decision some may say, and you would be right. My knowledge of football is good but from a Coach perspective is tough.
 
The Practical week I completed and considering I ran my first ever Small Sided Game - I did very well. Yes some action points to follow up and improve on but these will help and assist my ultimate goal of passing the assessment, together with the 12 hours or more supported practise..

Pre-Requisites:
What I needed to be in place for the assessment.

l EMERGENCY AID
11 February 2009  CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE
Venue: Surrey FA HQ, Birdge Street Leatherhead Surrey
l SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN
28 January 2009 CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE
Venue: Surrey FA HQ, Birdge Street Leatherhead Surrey
l FA LEARNING - LAWS OF THE GAME
15 February 2009 - PRINTED PASS CERTIFICATE
An Online Course passed on the 15 February 2009
l 16 years or older - this was the easy one.
l CRB - ENHANCED DISCLOSURE
Issue date 10 March 2009
Issued on behalf of the Football Association by TMGCRB

Key Dates:
Key Dates for the Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Football - All of which I fully attended

l Induction/Theory Friday 13 February 7.00-10.00pm
l Practical Week Monday 16 February – Saturday 21 February 9.30am-5.30pm
l Theory Session Wednesday 25 March 7.00pm-10.00pm
l Practical Session Saturday 4 April 9.30am-5.30pm
l Final Assessment Wednesday 27 May – Friday 29 May 9.30am-5.30pm
l Re-Assessment - Wednesday 16 September 2009 5-6:30pm

and not forgetting 12 hours of supported practise, 4 of which have to be linked therefore progression is in place across the 4 hour linked sessions.

A/P - Action Plan / Point::

l WATCH LIVE FOOTBALL MATCHES - Upto about 2000 minutes now
l IMPROVE KNOWLEDGE
Will be attending Horley 1st Team training Night from Thursday 26 February 2009. Mainly to watch / observe their coaches and players and get involved if acceptable to those present. Perhaps use my notes on a small side game?
l More knowledge is key for me and will allow me to pass the assessment first time. If I can do 25 hours between now and assessment (end of May) that would be fantastic. So looking to coach two teams with Horley Town FC in between my Cricket Coaching commitments. Watching Live games will also help with this Action
l RECREATE SITUATIONS EFFECTIVELY
l SEE THOSE SNAPSHOT "PICTURES"

16-21 Feb 2009 Course - Organised and run by The Surrey FA:
My thanks to Kenny Bremner and Chris Jones our tutors. More information available at the Surrey FA's excellent Web Site - www.surreyfa.com

Paul's Supported Practise - Progress:

Session 1 - U8/U9 - Passing & Turning
Session 2 - U18/Seniors - Running with the ball (RWTB)
Session 3 - U8/U9 - Dribble
Session 4 - U18/Seniors - Support Play around the ball
Session 5 - U8/U9 - RWTB and Looking up
Session 6 - U18/Seniors - Headers - attacking
Session 7 - U18/Seniors - Creating Space
Session 8 - U18/Seniors - Finishing - Close Range
Session 9 - U18/Seniors - Finishing - Long Range
Session 10 - U18/Seniors - Headers - defensive
Session 11 - U8/U9 - Support Play & Looking Up
Session 12 - U18/Seniors - Passing - Lofted
Session 13 - 8-10½ - Passing, Vision and Support Play
Linked Sessions: 1, 3, 5 & 11
Assessment Topic - Turning
Re-Assessment Topic - Switching Play

My sincere thanks to Horley Town Football Club
especially Chris Rivers, Alan Crowley, Nigel Abbott but also Ali Rennie, Simon Bodie, Steve Cloake, Rob Cortazzi

Re-Assessment Date 16 September 2009:
My Topic is Switching Play. Venue Horley Town Football Club.
 
Assessment Dates 27-28-29 May 2009:
My Assessment Topic is now known and it is TURNING (22 April 2009)
 
Top picture Courtesy of Horley Town FC - www.horleytownfc.info all others (c) e.Paul Griffiths

"to instil the Sport of Football with FUN and Respect for All"
Paul Griffiths
FA Level 2 (L2CCF)
Member : FACA, SFCA 

this page was last updated by Paul on Friday 8th January 2010