SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Coach senior athletes for middle and long distance events in athletics 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
264714  Coach senior athletes for middle and long distance events in athletics 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Sport, Recreation & Fitness 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 02 - Culture and Arts Sport 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  10 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The qualifying learner will acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes to coach senior athletes at club, provincial and national levels. They will be able to coach senior athletes in the 800 metres, 1500 metres, 3000 metres, 5000 metres, 10 000 meteres, marathon, and steeplechase by demonstrating the specific techniques and skills needed to coach in the middle and long distance events at competitive level.

ASA refers to Athletics South Africa and IAAF refers to International Amateur Athletics Federation.

The qualifying learner will be capable of:
  • Evaluating the development of middle and long distance running.
  • Explaining the rules and the use of equipment related to middle and long distance running.
  • Evaluating athlete characteristics and tactics of middle and long distance running.
  • Implementing a training programme for middle and long distance athletes.
  • Conducting coaching activities for middle and long distance athletes.
  • Evaluating coaching interventions. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication skills at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Evaluate the development of middle and long distance running. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Middle and long distance events includes, but is not limited to: 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 3000m steeple chase, 5000m, 10 000m, marathon. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The current format of long distance events is described in relation to the origins and historical development. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Recent trends and developments are evaluated in relation to current international practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The social impact of coaching athletes is evaluated in terms of South African communities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The structure of ASA and IAAF is described in terms of roles and responsibilities of commissions and roleplayers. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the rules and use of equipment related to middle and long distance events. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The regulations for participation in middle and long distance events are explained in terms of ASA governance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The rules for participants in middle and long distance events are explained in terms of ASA provisions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The facility and equipment for middle and long distance events are described in relation to IAAF specifications and safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The use of coaching aids are demonstrated to enhance performance in relation to the coaching need. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Coaching aids includes, but is not limited to: videos and manuals.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Evaluate athlete characteristics and tactics related to middle and long distance events. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Characteristics of a middle and long distance athlete are evaluated in terms of physiological and psychological constitution. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Tactics for middle and long distance events are evaluated in relation to the athletes' ability. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Techniques to address athlete limitations are evaluated according to the athlete's performance. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Implement a training programme for middle and long distance athletes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A competition plan for middle and long distance events is developed and implemented according to competition schedules. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A training plan is developed and implemented for 800m and 1500m athletes in accordance with level of conditioning of athletes, environment, logistics and safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Training plans are developed and implemented for 3000m and 5000m athletes in accordance with level of conditioning of athletes, environment, logistics and safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Training plans are developed and implemented for 10 000m athletes in accordance with level of conditioning of athletes, environment, logistics and safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Training plans are developed and implemented for 3000m steeplechase athletes in accordance with level of conditioning of athletes environment, logistics and safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Training plans are developed and implemented for athletes of the marathon events in accordance with level of conditioning of athletes environment, logistics and safety requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Conduct coaching activities for middle and long distance athletes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A lesson plan for middle and long distance athletes is developed and implemented in terms of available resources and level of conditioning of the athletes. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Training methods are evaluated and selected to meet the needs of the middle and long distance athletes according to standard practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Assessment methods are evaluated and selected to assess athlete's performance according to standard practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Lesson plans are reviewed and adapted accordingly. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Review includes, but is not limited to:
  • Faults, techniques, methods and resources.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Evaluate coaching intervention. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Coaching plans are evaluated and refined to improve coaching in line with set objectives. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Factors that affect performance of athletes are explained in relation to available remediation measures. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Factors includes, but is not limited to:
  • Nutrition, training regime, rest, hydration, psychosocial, physical and emotional.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Modifications to the coaching plan are recorded in relation to the review process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Limitations and shortcomings are analysed in relation to peer reviews. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard must be accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • External Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA at its discretion.
  • The accredited Training Provider will oversee internal moderation of assessment.
  • Internal and external moderation should encompass achievement of competence described in the specific outcomes of the unit standard as well as the integrated competence described in the purpose of the unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The qualifying learner will be able to understand and explain the following:
  • Development of middle and long distance running from origins to current trends.
  • Structure, role-players and commissions of ASA and IAAF.
  • ASA rules and regulations for middle and long distance events.
  • IAAF specifications for facilities and equipment for middle and long distance running.
  • Techniques and tactics for middle and long distance athletes.
  • Training programmes for middle and long distance athletes.
  • Evaluation of coaching activities and plans. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems related to planning and implementing a training programme in which responses display that critical thinking is used for responsible decision making. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organization or community in discharging one's duties as a coach for senior athletes participating in middle and long distance events at competitions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively in discharging one's duties as a coach for senior athletes participating in middle and long distance events at competitions. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information about resources and conditioning of athletes in order to devise training programmes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using appropriate modes of oral and/or written persuasion in dealing with all internal and external role-players to achieve the desired coaching objectives. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  64369   Further Education and Training Certificate: Sport Coaching: Juniors/Beginners  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 
    Elective  67695   National Certificate: Coaching Science  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.