Coaching Breaks: Regulations

Summary of regulations

U10 / U11 / U12 / U13 / U14 / U15 / U16

Coaching breaks not to be allowed at any of these age group tournaments

U17 / U18 / U19 and Senior Tournaments

Coaching breaks to be allowed throughout the duration of the event at Grade A tournaments and also at the U17 Nationals, U19 Nationals and Senior Nationals.

Grade B and C tournaments – no coaching breaks to be allowed at any age group.

Maximum 2 coaches per player/pair at the Senior Nationals. Maximum 1 coach per player/pair at all other events where coaching breaks are allowed.

Glasgow International Youth U13 / U15

Coaching breaks to be allowed at both age groups.

Quadrangular U15

Coaching breaks to be allowed.

Notes regarding Coaches

National events where coaching breaks are allowed:

  • Coaches must be dressed appropriately
  • Minimum age for coaches is 16
  • Coaches must be on Badminton Scotland’s Coaching Register (or the equivalent if travelling from another country)
  • Coaches sitting court side on the coaching chair can speak to players between rallies and during breaks, but play must be continuous

Grade A Events where coaching breaks are allowed:

  • Coaches must be dressed appropriately
  • Minimum age for coaches is 16
  • Coaches must be on Badminton Scotland’s Coaching Register (or the equivalent if travelling from another country)
  • Coaching only permitted at breaks

Rationale

Badminton Scotland has developed these regulations in consultation with coaches and experts in player development, from grass roots through to high performance level, in order to improve opportunities for player and coach development in Scotland.

By requesting all National and Grade A tournaments allow coaching breaks at U17 age group tournaments and above, we are providing a number of opportunities throughout the season for coaches to deliver breaks during events, whilst also attempting to create a certain set of standards which should be met at National and Grade A events.

Not only do we feel that coaches will benefit, we have also introduced these regulations to benefit players by trying to improve the standard of coaching that players receive. By only allowing registered and qualified coaches to deliver coaching breaks, we hope to improve the quality of advice delivered and to therefore improve the players.

Our reason for not recommending coaching breaks at U16 age group tournaments and below is to give players the opportunity to develop their own analytical processes rather than relying on a coach, or perhaps a parent, to do this for them. It should be noted that coaching between matches at these events is still permitted and indeed encouraged.

If you would like to discuss the new regulations, please contact Peter Dean, Head of Events (07923 229560 or email peter@badmintonscotland.org.uk)

Anyone who would like to deliver coaching breaks but who does not have an existing coaching qualification and/or is not on Badminton Scotland’s Coach Register, should contact Nicky Waterson, Head of Engagement (07398121009 or email nicky@badmintonscotland.org.uk) to discuss opportunities to attend one of Badminton Scotland’s Coach Education courses.