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Course Application Information

ALL APPLICANTS MUST BE CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE BTBA PRIOR TO ATTENDING THE COURSE

Courses are arranged subject to a minimum of 12 applications. The BTBA reserve the right to cancel any course, should there be an insufficient number of applicants. In this event, course fees will be held to cover a future course.

A completed Application Form, together with a cheque made payable to BTBA MUST BE RECEIVED at BTBA Head Office, at least 14 days prior to the start of the course. Upon receipt of this, candidates will receive the course manual by post.

Any applicant wishing to cancel their place on the course must do so in writing at least 14 working days prior to the course taking place, to allow time for a replacement participant to be notified.

In cases of illness, if sufficient time is not allowed to seek a replacement, a refund will only be considered upon receipt of a doctors certificate.

The cost of the course does not include accommodation or any food or drinks during the course. Applicants are to arrange their own accommodation, if required.

Included in the course fee is a non-refundable charge for the course manual, of £30 for the Phase I course and £20 for all other Phases.

All qualified Instructors and Coaches are permitted to charge for their services, with the exception of instruction given to junior bowlers.

Course Prices (including VAT)

A minimum age limit of 18 is adopted to conform with the guidelines suggested by Sports Coach UK

WE REGRET THAT RESULTS CANNOT BE GIVEN OUT OVER THE TELEPHONE

Please complete the attached form and return it, together with your remittance, made payable to the BTBA to:

BTBA - 114 Balfour Road - Ilford - Essex - IG1 4JD

Tel: 0208 478 1745 - Fax: 0208 514 3665
E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Phase I

BTBA PHASE I - INSTRUCTORS COURSE

PRE-COURSE NOTES

During the course, guidance will be given in the recommended methods of how to teach a beginner to bowl.

This guidance will promote the safest and the most effective methods currently being used. These form the basics, which are required, to take the first steps to becoming a fully qualified and experienced Coach.

At the end of the course you will be able to:

• list the attributes of a good instructor
• make the preparations necessary for an instruction session
• stand in front of a group and make a presentation
• instruct a bowler on how to select a ball
• apply the principle of safety at all times whilst instructing
• demonstrate and teach the Four Step Approach to Left (LHB) and Right Handed Bowlers (RHB)
• select and demonstrate drills to improve a number of bowling techniques
• teach a bowler how to adjust to get the ball into the pocket (both LHB & RHB)
• teach a bowler a reliable spare making system (both LHB & RHB)
• demonstrate a knowledge of the specifications relating to balls, pins and lanes
• describe what happens to a ball moving down the lane with explanations why
• score manually
• demonstrate a working knowledge of the rules of the game

The Phase I Instructor Course is aimed at people with some knowledge of bowling, who wish to assist in teaching non-bowlers how to bowl. It is the first step, which could lead to an extremely enjoyable coaching career, or a very satisfying and rewarding hobby.

The course is extremely intensive and lasts two days. Running from 9am to 6pm each day.

At the end of the first day each student is assigned a project, from the topics covered in Day One. During the evening the student is expected to prepare a five-minute presentation on their set topic.

During Day Two the members of the course will be taken onto the lanes, and each student is required to make their five-minute presentation, to a ‘class’ made up of the remaining members of their group. This presentation is the Practical Assessment section of the course, and marks are awarded.

At the end of Day Two a written Theory test, lasting 1hour 10 minutes, has to be taken. Marks are also awarded for this section. (If necessary, special arrangements can be made for those with reading and/or writing difficulties).

To pass the course, candidates must pass both the Practical and the Theory sections.

Arthur J McDonnell
BTBA Director of National Coaching

Phase II

BTBA PHASE II - INSTRUCTORS COURSE

PRE-COURSE NOTES

The Phase II Instructor Course is aimed at the Instructor who has a minimum of one year’s practical experience. During that time you should have gained experience of instructing beginners on the basic techniques of bowling. As part of the Phase II course, you will be expected to demonstrate how well you have developed your skills. During the course, guidance will be given to enable the experienced Phase I Instructor to enhance their knowledge. Enabling the Instructor to apply more advanced techniques to bowlers who have a basic knowledge of the sport, and wish to progress to a higher level. This guidance will promote the safest and the most effective methods currently being used.

Please ensure you read your Information Pack before you attend the course. Make a note of any queries you may have and raise them during the course.

At the end of the course you will be able to:

• plan and prepare an instruction session
• calculate the ball to ankle distance
• understand how the ball to ankle distance can be used
• relate the importance of balance and the line of gravity, to a bowler’s delivery
• demonstrate where the Pro-zone is
• determine which drills to select, to improve a number of bowling techniques
• know the advantages and disadvantages of 2 and 3 piece balls
• recognise the effects of finger and thumb pitches
• locate the Positive Axis Point on a bowler’s ball
• understand axis rotation and tilt
• be able to discuss the effects of different lane oiling patterns
• teach line bowling
• decide when you might use Area Bowling
• advise on alternative lane adjustment systems
• manage the breakpoint
• undertake troubleshooting in a number of areas
• apply emergency procedures in a number of situations
• take part in discussions where you put forward the opinions of your group

As with the Phase I, this is an extremely intensive course, lasting two days. It runs from 9 am to 6 pm on each day.

The course has two elements, Practical Assessment and a Theory Test Paper, lasting 1 hour 15 minutes, each of which has to be passed to pass the course.

One of the first exercises on the course will require you to talk for a minimum of 5 minutes on a topic picked at random from the Phase I course syllabus. You will have 10 minutes for preparation and you may use all the resources available to you, including Overhead Slides. Time Management is a vital factor in this exercise. You are being not assessed during your presentation. If another course member makes an error in their presentation, you are required to question the point, but in a respectful and courteous manner. Neither the presenter nor the assessors will welcome frivolous, trick, or too many questions.

The Practical Assessment only takes place at certain times during the course. You will be advised of these. The areas being scrutinised will include your attitude, behaviour, knowledge, ability to express your point of view, respect given to other instructors whose point of view may differ from your own, ability to carry out instructions, time keeping and contribution to the course. However, dominating the proceedings, with a disregard for other people, will lose marks. Expressing an inaccurate point of view will not necessarily lose marks, and providing it is well thought out and logical, could actually gain marks. Sitting quietly in the corner waiting to agree with everybody else’s viewpoint will not gain marks.

The Phase II course is designed to enable candidates to work out solutions to questions raised by themselves and the Course Presenter, by logically applying the sound principles learnt during BTBA courses. The candidate will be required to take part in a number of group discussions in the classroom, when he/she has to represent the group he/she was working with on the lanes.

Phase III

BTBA PHASE III - COACHING COURSE

PRE-COURSE NOTES

The Phase III Coach Course is aimed at people, who wish to progress to the next level in their bowling career, and become a Coach. Requirements for taking the course are, a working knowledge of bowling instruction to Phase II level, and a minimum of 12 month’s practical experience as a Phase II Instructor.

However, in addition, the wise aspiring Coach will have taken steps to build on the knowledge gained in previous courses. Attendance at ‘sports coach UK’ courses will have expanded on the general theory of coaching principles. Reading books and magazines relating to the theory of bowling, e.g. Dick Ritger’s Encyclopaedia of Bowling series, Tom Kouros’s Par Bowling The Challenge, Chip Zielke’s Revolutions and Revolutions 2, Bowling This Month magazine will have broadened on the more detailed sport specific elements of the game. Watching coaching videos related to bowling, and TV programs of top class bowlers in action, will have helped to sharpen your analysis skills. Sitting in on Phase I and II courses to up date your knowledge. Remember, we are updating courses all the time

Before the course you will receive a manual from the BTBA. It is expected that by the time you attend the course, you will have read this manual. Although we will obviously cover the topics in the manual, we do not intend to go into every detail. We are however, more than happy to cover any areas on which you would like clarification. As you read the manual, it may be worthwhile making some notes, either on a separate sheet of paper, or in the margins, of any questions you may like to raise.

This course is slightly different to the Phases I and II courses, in so far as the format revolves more round discussion of points and principles rather than the straight supply of information by the Course Presenter. Elements of the mental side of the game are discussed in more depth than they have been in the past.

COURSE CONTENTS

• Personal reviews
• Short review of previous Phases
• Lane work including Practice Drills
• Goals
• Stress
• Relaxation
• Mental rehearsal
• Pressure
• Nutrition
• Coaching Session Guidelines
• Correcting faults
• Role of the Coach
• Principles of practice
• Advanced teaching skills
• Sports psychology
• Strike angles
• Ball and lane relationships
• Principles of ball fit and drilling
• Personal numbers

As in the previous Phases, the Phase III Course is an extremely intensive course lasting two days. The course starts at 9am each day and ends about 6pm.

The further you go in the coaching field, the more important the image you portray becomes. How you look, and everything you say, must project the image of a person in an influential position, a person entitled to respect. You will gain respect from people, if you behave in the manner they expect of a person in an influential position. Failure to behave in the appropriate manner, for just a few seconds, will lose the respect, which has taken such a long time to earn. The loss of respect applies not only to you, but also to those you represent, namely all instructors and coaches and the sport’s National Governing Body the BTBA..

The course consists of two elements, both of which have to be passed in order to gain the qualification of Coach.

There is a continuous process of Practical Assessment relating to your knowledge, attitude, appearance, application, and your ability to relate to others on the course, the Presenters and Assessors, as well as others like yourself, taking part in the course. In order to try to be as fair as we can to everybody, there will be a number of Assessors, all working independently.

On the first morning you will be asked to describe what instructing experience you have gained, since passing your Phase II, giving details of both successes and failures. What are your ambitions as far as coaching is concerned? What new challenges do you see for yourself, if you should attain your Coach qualification? We expect about 10 minutes from each person. (Time Management is a key requirement for good coaching). Notes can be used, but you will lose marks if you read from a script.

After lunch on Day Two, the members of the course will be required to coach a small number of unknown bowlers (usually 2 or 3). At the end of the session, a short written report on each bowler must be prepared, detailing observations, actions taken during the coaching session, and suggestions as to the steps the bowler should take to continue to improve. The marks for this report and your practical coaching will contribute towards your Personal Assessment mark.

At the end of Day Two a written Theory Test Paper has to be taken lasting 1 hour 30 minutes.

Candidates are required to pass both the Practical Assessment and the Theory Test Paper, in order to gain a pass, and have the right to call yourself a Coach.

Arthur J McDonnell
BTBA Director of National Coaching