Performance Coach

Must be a qualified: Development Coach
Registration is an application process and requires approval from Mountain Training UK & Ireland
Training: 8 days plus some online sessions, spread over 3-4 months, delivered to a fixed training cohort each year (max. 12 places per cohort)
Assessment: Bespoke, includes a portfolio, an interview (viva) and a practical coaching assessment

Average time from training to passing assessment: Currently unknown (new qualification)

Ideal for: Experienced climbing coaches who want to design, plan, deliver and review bespoke interventions to help climbers make tangible improvements and achieve mid to long term goals.

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Performance Coach training incorporates eight days of in-person training and some online sessions, delivered to a fixed cohort of candidates on an annual or biannual basis (depending on demand).

The training is a developmental scheme in itself, with a series of sessions attended over several months, with mentored practical assignments in between.

Training

Training includes 8 in-person training days, an online introduction session and 5 optional online making sense sessions. The cost of the full training package is £750. Candidates accepted onto a cohort must attend ALL training days and the online introduction session.

There will also be an optional 'Making Sense' session after each unit which will be an opportunity to reflect on your learning with Tom Greenall. These sessions will be online, 6pm-7.30pm on the following dates:

• Tues 28th October 2025
• Tues 18th November 2025
• Tues 6th January 2026
• Date TBC
• Tues 24th February 2026

Course content

The information below is indicative of the content that will be covered in each unit and not a prescriptive list. The detail is subject to change based on the needs of the cohort and the delivery team.

Unit 1 - Profiling

• Introduce the concept of holistic performance profiling and its role in the process of a performance coach. Look at how to break the sport down into its components.
• How thing helps set the course for training design.
• The importance of goal setting and regular performance check in points (not leaving it to chance).
• Cross-sport coaching observation.

Unit 2 - Physical Training

• Overview of a periodised approach to physical development.
• Prep, competitive, d-load – function and purpose of these.
• Individual considerations.
• Strength and conditioning.
• Sport specific training.
• Coaching observation.
• Applied experience.

Unit 3 - Mental Skills

• Understanding mental skills and their role in coaching.
• Scope of mental skills application as a coach.
• The mental skills required for performance in climbing and how you may coach them.
• How to understand what's relevant to the profile and training process.
• Coaching observation – diving coach.
• Applied experience – in the pool.
• Ethical coaching practice and professionalism.

Unit 4 - Skill Development

• Overview of a periodised approach to skill and technical development.
• Session plan & task design over the annual training period.  
• Aligning coaching behaviours to facilitate learning.
• Adapting session to the individual's needs (we coach people not just the sport).
• Observation and analysis skills for monitoring technical performance.  
• Route setting in coaching – manipulating the task in your environment.

Unit 5 - Reflective Practice

• Individual reflective practice and creating a culture within your coaching environment.
• Use of questioning within coaching.
• Promoting learning outside of the session with you as the coach.
• Development of coaching self-audit and profile.
• Coaching action plan and peer sharing.
• Creation of MDT to support learning.
• Contracting, legislation and policies for safety.
• Coaching observation of White Spider Squad.

Consolidation

Following completion of all Performance Coach units, candidates are required to create a portfolio as part of the assessment.

The 'portfolio' is not necessarily written, but candidates need to evidence the depth and breadth of their coaching experience, and developmental learning throughout the pathway. We have no interest in favouring the written word, not discriminating against those who find written evidence is not their strength. Hence, portfolios will be accepted as audio and video recordings as well as written documents. The import thing is to work with a mentor to ensure your portfolio represents your depth and breadth of coaching, and demonstrates you have the skills and experience to fulfil the syllabus.

Assessment

Once your portfolio has been approved by your mentor, and your application has been agreed by a member of the training and assessment team, you may proceed to book an assessment. Each assessment is a bespoke and holistic process and will include an interview of your experience and progress, as well as a final practical (observed) coaching session with a long-term client/climber.

You will be assessed against the syllabus competencies in the candidate handbook. At the end of the assessment you will receive one of two results:

• Pass
• Defer (requires reassessment)