The LTA Level 1 Coach Assistant Qualification is the first step on the LTA Coaching Pathway. It is aimed at people looking to work as a coaching assistant at a club or other tennis venue, such as a park or a school. The qualification is an assessed course and is awarded by 1^st4sport.

Upon successful completion candidates will be able to work as an assistant coach alongside a minimum of a Level 2 Accredited Coach in a beginner coaching session.

The course is 3 days in duration, split over a minimum period of 4 weeks and will cover areas such as Mini Tennis, technique, tactics, communication, organisation, demonstrations, safeguarding, running competitive events and organising activity sessions. Additionally, the course requires candidates to complete a portfolio and gain a minimum of three hours experience assisting an LTA Accredited+ coach between the second and third day of the course.

Coaches who hold a Level 1 Coach Assistant Qualification are not qualified to coach independently, but will be able to lead parts of a coaching session on an adjacent court to a Level 2 or above coach. They can also run a tennis activity session that has been set up by the Head Coach (Level 3 or above). A tennis activity session refers to organised play or competition facilitated by a coach through organising equipment, allocating space, and suggesting some ideas for activities. The key distinction between a coaching session and activity session is that no formal coaching instructions (for example technical instruction) are given.

Course pre-requisites

• Be a minimum of 16 years old on the first day of the course.
• Have a signed letter of deployment from the club where coaching experience will be undertaken or request a letter of deployment from the Course Provider.

Candidates must attend all the sessions of the course at the same venue and pass all elements of assessment to be successful.