COach Development PRogramme

The FISO Coach Education Programme has five key objectives:

1. To grow and develop the sport globally by making coach education accessible to all National Federations (NF) and their members, thereby providing athletes with the opportunity of working with coaches at a level that suits their needs
2. Provide a framework for coach education and development for NF’s to develop obstacle sports through athlete and coach development from grassroots to high performance
3. Provide a coach development system from grassroots to high performance
4. Provide tools and techniques to increase coach competence and effectiveness through international standards
5. Provide a mechanism whereby coaches can progress along the coaching pathway.

Coach development is delivered by certified coach trainers who are Level 3 and higher and is managed regionally by continental confederations and their national federation members.

100 hours of coaching practice is required to progress to the next level course. 

Continuing education and at least 100 hours of coaching is required every 2-years to maintain certification.

Level 1: Certification prerequisites

Level 2: Gym/Fitness Instructor, obstacle sports coach

Level 3: Performance Obstacle Sports Coach

Level 4: National Obstacle Coach

Level 5: International Obstacle Coach

Level 6: Senior International Obstacle Coach

Level 7: Master Coach Trainer

Courses are for coaches who already have proficiency teaching and training athletes. These courses do not teach you how to teach. 

Level 1 certification prerequisites include disability awareness, criminal record background check, safe sport / safeguard training and first aid certification.

12 months experience as a certified personal trainer or coach in strength & conditioning, athletics, triathlon, pentathlon disciplines, climbing, gymnastics, calisthenics, parkour, Ninja, or other relevant sport is required for Level 2 certification. 

Professional coaches and trainers (fully time paid professionals) may qualify to Level 3 or higher depending on their qualifications and number of years teaching.

Level 1-2: Safe sport (athlete safeguarding)
Level 1-2: Disability awareness
Level 1-2: Gym/Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer, ASCC or CSCS
Level 1-2: Athlete consultations and inductions
Level 1-2: Health and safety in the training environment
Level 2-3: Coaching Obstacle technique, strength and fitness
Level 3-4: Performance analysis
Level 3-4: Periodized programme planning and design
Level 3-5: Anti-doping
Level 4-5: Plan, deliver and evaluate programmes
Level 2-5: Coach continuing education
Level 1-4: National run coach certification
Level 2-3: Coaching Ninja technique, strength and fitness
Level 3-4: Para-athlete coaching
Level 3-4: Run coaching
Level 3-4: Nutrition coaching
Level 3-4: Mindset coaching
Level 6: Graduate Education
Level 7: Postgraduate Education