This unit applies to current, junior or aspiring athletes who are competing in Australian football at a local, state or national level. It may also apply to those in sports development or football coaching roles.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify physiological elements of Australian Football.

1.1. Identify the basic energy systems and requirements for Australian Football players in different positions.

1.2. Determine the major muscle groups required for playing intermediate Australian Football.

1.3. Identify fitness tests appropriate to different levels of play.

1.4. Identify suitable conditioning regimes for each major fitness component used in Australian Football.

2. Identify and perform basic conditioning techniques.

2.1. Select and safely utilise appropriate conditioning equipment according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

2.2. Identify basic conditioning techniques for the improvement of speed, agility, endurance, strength, power and flexibility, as advised by a specialist or specialists.

2.3. Participate in fitness and conditioning sessions, as identified by a specialist.

2.4. Determine over trainingsymptoms.

2.5. Develop a recovery plan for over training after seeking advice from a specialist.

3. Evaluate the conditioning sessions.

3.1. Review own performance and identify potential improvements.

3.2. Evaluate fitness test results and modify conditioning as required.

Required skills

communication skills to:

discuss and determine fitness components requiring improvement with coaches and other specialists

seek and follow advice from specialists in developing recovery plans for over training

communicate and update progress during conditioning

language and literacy skills to access, interpret and apply information about the basic energy systems and muscle groups to help prevent injury

self-management skills to:

review and reflect on own conditioning and fitness performance

organise time and priorities effectively

set short, medium and long term goals.

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to ensure safe participation during conditioning

self reflection principles to enable effective self evaluation for future improvement

positions and players of Australian football and their roles and responsibilities on the field and appropriate conditioning techniques for different position requirements

communication systems used between players, coaches and specialists to maintain a common understanding

basic energy systems, muscle groups and correct use of equipment to prevent injury

fitness components required to improve and maintain physical conditioning for playing Australian football.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

utilises knowledge of energy systems and muscle groups to interpret how different conditioning applies to individual football positions

participates in conditioning sessions to improve speed, agility, endurance, strength, power and flexibility and identifies over-training symptoms

communicates appropriately with coaches and specialists to respond to feedback and seek advice from specialist or specialists to plan and implement a recovery plan

evaluates conditioning sessions and reviews own performance to identify strengths and areas requiring improvement and or modifications.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in conditioning activities that result in improvement in physical conditioning required for Australian Football.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

suitable facilities, such as gyms and training fields

up-to-date testing equipment and facilities

a coach to give instructions and feedback

support staff required to support conditioning outcomes

conditioning equipment, such as cardiovascular, free weight, hydraulic and resistance

resources and information on the energy systems and muscle groups associated with intermediate Australian football

current relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures that impact on the conduct of conditioning sessions.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of performance and improvement of fitness components, such as speed, agility, endurance, strength, power and flexibility during conditioning sessions and Australian football games

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of physiological elements of Australian football, such as energy systems and muscle groups

accurate discussions with specialists on topics such as over training symptoms and conditioning techniques for the improvement of fitness components

third-party reports from coaches or specialists detailing conditioning performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SISSAFL201A Perform the intermediate skills of Australian Football

SISSAFL202A Perform the intermediate tactics of Australian Football.

Guidance information for assessment

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Basic energy systems and requirements may include:

Alactic anaerobic system

Lactic anaerobic system

Aerobic system

carbohydrates

protein

fat

supply of chemical energy during muscular contraction.

Muscle groups may include:

gluteus

quadriceps

hamstrings

calves

gluteus

abdominals

rhomboids

trapezius

deltoids

biceps

triceps.

Fitness tests may include:

laboratory tests

field tests.

Conditioning regimes may include:

frequency and quantity of conditioning sessions

individual requirements:

football player's position

specific fitness components requiring improvement

player's needs

time allocation

dietary and energy requirements.

Major fitness component may include:

speed

agility

endurance

strength

power

flexibility.

Conditioning equipment may include:

cardio-vascular

free weight

hydraulic

exercise balls

bars

steps

bands

resistance

pin loaded

electronically braked

air braked

pool based.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

anti-doping policy

harassment-free sports policies.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

use of venue or venues

communication protocols

use and maintenance of equipment

training and scheduling commitments

code of ethics.

Basic conditioning techniques may include:

speed:

combination of arm and leg movement

contact time

body positioning

leg drive

agility:

lateral movement

forward and back movement

evasion skills

endurance:

stamina

muscle duration

performance

strength:

resistance training

techniques for increasing muscle size and strength

power:

understanding of power continuum

optimising force-velocity relationship

techniques for increasing muscle power

flexibility:

peripheral neuromuscular facilitation

dynamic stretching routine

stretching exercises

muscle balance and imbalance.

Specialist or Specialists may include:

doctor

physiotherapist

coach

strength and conditioning coach

skill coach

dietician

personal trainer.

Over training may include:

tired or sore muscles

feeling unwell

fatigue

stress

increase in injuries

sleep patterns

nutrition

periodisation of training

poor performance.

Unit sector

Sport

This unit contains employability skills.