Coaches

Coaching Pathways

Canada Basketball's coach education pathway is based on the Long-Term Development Model. It is evidence-based and designed to provide coaches with the necessary tools they need to coach athletes at each stage of development.

The coaching pathways allow you to start your coach education at the level in which you currently coach. You may start your training with either Community Sport, Competition Introduction, or Competition Development.

To find and register for coaching clinics, log in to Game Plan and click on the "Workshops" tab. If you do not have a Game Plan account, you can create one quickly and it is free.

The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP)

NCCP Community Sport (Ages 6-9)
Step 1: FUNdamentals (FUN)
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NCCP Competition Introduction (Ages 8-16)
Step 1: Learn to Train (L2T)
Step 2: Train to Train (T2T)

NCCP Competition Development (Ages 15-22)
Step 1: Train to Compete (T2C)
 

On the coach education pathway, a coach can achieve different statuses based on the course work they have completed. These are:

• In-Training Status: the coach has completed some of the course work, but has not finished the entire module(s) for their specific pathway

• Trained Status: the coach has completed all of the course work, but has not completed their evaluation(s)

• Certified Status: the coach has completed all of the associated course work on their pathway and has successfully demonstrated their competency through evaluation(s)

Read more below on the specific requirements and courses to take for each coaching context.

Coach Developer Pathway

NCCP Coach Developers are directly responsible for the development of coaches and need to be experts in learning as well as experts in coaching. For basketball, they include: 

• Learning Facilitators (LFs): coach developers who deliver NCCP workshops and clinics

• Coach Evaluators (CEs): coach developers who evaluate Portfolios, Practices and Competition for identified coaching competencies

• Master Coach Developers (MCDs): coach developers who are responsible for training new LFs and CEs

NCCP Coach Developer candidates must complete training that is consistent across Canada. To be certified as an NCCP Coach Developer in any of the three roles above, you must:

• Successfully complete the online evaluation NCCP Make Ethical Decisions

• Demonstrate your competency by completing the four-step pathway below:
  
  Coach Developer > Core Training > Content Specific Training > Co-delivery > Evaluation

The NCCP now has a simple and universal 4-step process for becoming a Coach Developer.For more details and steps on becoming a Coach Developer visit https://coach.ca/become-nccp-coach-developer

• Core-training: Provides NCCP Coach Developers with the skills to perform their role.

• Content-specific training: This includes relevant sport or multi-sport training, as well as micro-facilitation and/or micro-evaluation for an opportunity to practice delivery with peers.

• Co-delivery: New NCCP Coach Developers can practice with real coaches alongside an experienced Coach Developer. NCCP Coach Developers are considered "trained" when they've completed the first three steps of the pathway.

• Evaluation: Once NCCP Coach Developers are evaluated as having the abilities necessary for their role, they are considered "certified."

Coach Developer Characteristics

Learning Facilitator (LF)

• Possess a passion for sport and coaching
  

• An effective communicator
  

• Ability to work in a collaborative environment
  

• Ability to adapt content to meet the needs of all coaches to ensure learning outcomes are met
  

• An understanding of his/her Provincial/Territorial sport community and the contribution of coaching and sport leadership education
  

Coach Evaluator (CE)

• A passion for sport and coaching
  

• Attention to detail and observation
  

• Effective communicator
  

• Knowledge of the outcomes, criteria and evidences as outlines in the NCCP evaluation tools
  

• An understanding of the value of Certified coaches and the contribution of coaching and sport leadership education
  

Master Coach Developer (MCD)

• A passion for sport and coaching
  

• A strong communicator and charismatic leader
  

• Ability to work in a collaborative environment
  

• An understanding of the Canadian sport community and the contribution of coaching and sport leadership education
  

• A proven track record of supporting and promoting the importance of National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) certified coaches and familiarity with competency-based coach education
  

• Flexible work schedule
  

Professional Development

Canada Basketball and the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) recognize the value of having certified NCCP coaches that are engaged in Professional Development programs, which reinforce the values of lifelong learning and sharing amongst the coaching community. Professional development can serve as a great way to continue your learning, engage with new trends in coaching, and stay involved in the game.

Maintenance of Certification

In order for NCCP coaches to maintain their certified status, they will be required to obtain Professional Development (PD) points.
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There are many ways to accumulate points. Events that are organized by the CAC, Canada Basketball, Provincial/Territorial Sport Organizations (PTSOs) or Provincial/Territorial Coaching Representatives (PTCRs) will allow coaches to accumulate PD points. Such events include: Coach Schools, Canada Basketball Conferences and Workshops, eLearning modules, NCCP workshops, coach mentorship programs, active coaching, and many more!
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In most cases coaches are already earning their required PD points -- Maintenance of Certification Status is simply the introduction of tracking these points and recognizing coaches for their efforts.

In General:

NCCP Training = 5 points
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Non-NCCP Events = 1 point/ hour (up to 3 points)
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Active Coaching = 1 point/ year

The PD Points System

Coaches will need to maintain their certification on 4-year cycles after becoming certified. Therefore, if the coach does not reach the required PD point threshold in the 4-year period, they will lose their certified status.

Required Points

Please refer to the below table for the number of points required for each context.

Multi-Sport Professional Development Modules

Below are various multi-sport modules that can be taken to gain PD points and maintain your certification. For more information and a course description, please click each title.  

• Leading a Return to Sport Participation
• Mental Health in Sport
• NCCP Coach Initiation in Sport
• NCCP Coaching Athletes with a Disability
• NCCP Emergency Action Plan
• NCCP Fundamental Movement Skills
• NCCP Making Head Way in Sport
• NCCP Sport Nutrition
• Safe Sport Training
• Support Through Sport: Understanding Teen Dating Violence

Canada Basketball Professional Development (CBPD)

CBPD offers unique professional development opportunities that will recognize and highlight the integral role coaches play in helping grow the game of basketball. CBPD is an ongoing virtual speaker series that takes place throughout the year. Basketball leaders from across Canada and around the world will share their first-hand experiences and expertise on best practices related to coaching and other basketball topics.


Super Clinic
Super Clinic is Canada's premier annual basketball coach and officials education event, celebrating Canadian and international coaches and officials of all levels, from grassroots to high performance.

Featuring keynote speakers, workshops, and NCCP courses, Super Clinic is a one of a kind event that offers something for everyone! Throughout the sessions, participants will have the opportunity to learn first hand from some of the best basketball minds in the game and participate in exceptional professional development opportunities.

Game Plan

Game Plan is Canada Basketball’s comprehensive coach education website used for any coach at every stage in their career, and is used to track your coaching pathway. With a variety of tools and resources, coaches can plan practices, create yearly training plans, and watch videos of past professional development events. Game Plan houses many of the upcoming coach education workshop registrations and is your one-stop-shop for all things coaching!

Join Game Plan today to unlock access to different coaching tools and resources!

FIBA Licence

Why get a FIBA Licence?

• As a coach holding a FIBA license, you are a member of the World Association of Basketball Coaches (WABC). The overall objective of the FIBA Licence is to create a productive interaction between FIBA and the TOP coaches in all countries around the world that will in turn contribute to global basketball coach development. As a Canada Basketball Train to Compete certified coach, get your FIBA Licence as a top coach in the National Coaching Certification Program Competition Development stream.
  

Other benefits of the FIBA Licence?

• Worldwide recognized licence that will be issued from Canada. The Canadian FIBA licence is recognized with Canada Basketball’s level of coach education by FIBA and all other countries
  

• All coaches need their FIBA licence to work with national team programs or coach at FIBA competitions
  

• As a member of the World Association of Basketball Coaches (WABC), you may become involved with:
  

  • The worldwide basketball coaches community

  • Contributing to different decision in multiple areas (e.g. Basketball Rules...), through future consultations (e.g. survey...)

  • Further information/tools from WABC/FIBA, which will help your development

• Opportunities to connect with coaches in the community, to share your knowledge and to learn from others.
  

Who can get their FIBA Licence?

• To be eligible for this certification a coach must be Train to Compete Certified or Level 3 Certified plus have completed and passed the Making Ethical Decisions (MED) evaluation.
  

• Please note that while completing the MED course and online exam this will also automatically give a Level 3 Certified coach a Train to Compete certified status in the new NCCP context.
  

How do I get my FIBA Licence?

• To apply for your FIBA license, please complete the application form here. Send your completed application form, along with your Headshot and Passport copy to certification@basketball.ca

The Headshot

• The headshot must be in the JPEG, GIF or BMP format that is no larger than 5 MB
  

• If provided with a headshot that fits the requirements Canada Basketball can crop the headshot to fit the format requirements listed before uploading your application to FIBA
  

• Headshot requirements listed by FIBA that will prompt errors
  

  • The headshot is cut
    

  • The headshot is not centered
    

  • The headshot is not in colour
    

  • The headshot is not zoomed in enough
    

  • The headshot is not in colour
    

The Passport

A digital copy of your passport will be required as part of the registration. The file must be no larger than 5 MB. The Passport Number may be blocked out however all of the other information must be visible. This information will be cross referenced with the registration form and entered into the database. Your passport will only be seen by Canada Basketball and FIBA as the information is uploaded into the database.

The passport is required because you cannot be a FIBA Coach and a player agent at the same time. This document helps prevent people from entering both systems. A passport is also necessary to verify your nationality and citizenship.

Your passport will only be needed for the initial registration so as you renew your passport you will not have to provide it to Canada Basketball or FIBA.

What is Game Plan?

Game Plan is Canada Basketball’s comprehensive coach education website used for any coach at every stage in their career, and it can be used to track your coaching pathway. It includes a variety of tools such as practice planners, video library, and drill bank. Register for Game Plan here.

What is an NCCP number and how can I get one?

A National Coaching Certification Program Number (NCCP#) is your coach education profile. All NCCP coach training and education you take is recorded through an online database called The Locker. Your training from every sport and at every context is recorded here. As well, professional development (PD) training can also be recorded here. In order to take an NCCP module you will need an NCCP#.

Follow these steps to get your NCCP#: 

• Go to www.coach.ca

• Click on the tab called The Locker

• Click on “Don’t have an account? Create one now!”

• Check the box “I agree”

• Check the box “I want to create a Locker account for access to my transcript, eLearning opportunities, to sign up for coaching events, and more!” – Fill in your info – Click Register

• Login to your email account and open the verification email that was sent to you

• Click on the “click here” at the very end of the email

• Create a password

• Click submit

• Click on the Icon “Profile”

• In the left hand corner of your screen under your name is your NCCP#

Where can I find my NCCP number?

First go to coach.ca. On the right-hand side of the website, it will read "My Locker", hover over that tab, then press the Profile button. This will then bring you to the log-in screen. From here you can press the "lookup my NCCP#" button. You will then follow the steps on the screen to retrieve your NCCP#.

How does old NCCP transfer? NCCP transfer guide

The NCCP Transfer guide helps coaches who may have taken coach education in the old system (the Levels system) transfer their credentials into the new system. The chart below outlines how these credentials are currently recognized:

How can I see how many PD points I have?

Coaches can check the number of PD Points they’ve earned at thelocker.coach.ca. Once on this website, you can follow these steps to confirm your number.

• Sign in with your login credentials

• Click your name at the top right corner

• Click the “Certification” tab near the top of the screen

• Click the “Maintenance” tab on the left side

• This page will show:

  • Your certification(s)

  • How many points you have

  • How many points you need to maintain your certification

  • The date the renewal cycle concludes

Below is a list of ways to acquire PD points:

• NCCP Clinics

• Multi-Sport Modules with Provincial/Territorial Coaching Representative

• Active Coaching

• Self-Reporting

The number of PD Points obtained can vary depending on the training. In general:

• NCCP Training = 5 points

• Non-NCCP Events = 1 point/hour (up to 3 points)

• Active coaching = 1 point/year

*Maintenance of Certification functions on a 4 year cycle. 

When are the next NCCP Clinics being held in my area?

Check out the Workshops tab on Game Plan. If you do not see any clinics available in your province/territory, take a look at the Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization’s website for more information.

How do I get my FIBA License

To apply for your FIBA license, please complete the application form here. Send your completed application form, along with your Headshot and Passport copy to certification@basketball.ca

Are there special considerations made for long-time coaches, international coaches or athletes transitioning to coaching?

Canada Basketball does not offer an equivalency system. Instead, we provide a Recognition of Knowledge process in which former athletes, long time coaches, or those with a physical education background can apply to proceed straight to evaluation for competency at the level at which they wish to coach. To inquire if you are eligible for this process, please contact certification@basketball.ca

What course should I take if I want to coach high school, elementary school, etc.?

Based on our LTD model we have broken the NCCP Clinics down into three different streams: Community Sport (FUNdamentals), Competition Introduction (Learn to Train and Train to Train), and Competition Development (Train to Compete).

Each of these streams focuses on different levels of competition in the sport.

Each clinic is targeted for specific age ranges:

• Active Start 0-6 year olds
  

• FUNdamentals ages 6-9
  

• Learn to Train ages 8-12
  

• Train to Train ages 12-16
  

• Train to Compete ages 15-22
  

• *Please note these age targets are just guidelines and coaches can take further certification than is recommended
  

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Who can I contact for Game Plan bugs?

Please contact coaching@basketball.ca! Let us know if there is anything we can do improve your experience on Game Plan.