Education Pathway

A.D.A.P.T. is an education pathway for practitioners of parkour to become coaches of parkour. Each level of the system is designed to build upon the information and training of the earlier levels, harnessing the collective experience, knowledge and wisdom of the global parkour coaching community.

Each course is challenging, designed to provide not only intensive learning and practice of coaching but also a peak experience that will serve to motivate, inspire and fuel you to go on to be the very best coach you can be. The courses are not easy, and passing is not guaranteed because we believe that one should prove themselves capable of handling the responsibility of teaching others a physical discipline. We have extremely high standards for ourselves and we believe every coach should have the same. 

All A.D.A.P.T courses involve practical training alongside theory sessions, and revolve around our signature 'micro-teach' sessions and accompanying feedback structure that enables all participants to dissect and discuss every aspect of a coaching situation. Every course is hands-on and fully interactive, involving physical training as well as group challenges to experience the essence of parkour. 

The assessments for each level are rigorous and demanding, and you will be expected to prove you have a sufficient level of understanding of coaching science and methodology and the ability to implement it across a range of scenarios.

 

Level

Qualification

Guided Learning Hours

Standard Duration of Course

Young ADAPT

(7-15 yrs)

Young ADAPT Award

4

One day

Level 1 Coach (16+)

Level 1 Coach Certificate

24

Three days

Level 2 Coach (18+)

Level 2 Coach Certificate

40

Five days and 2 Assessment days

Level 3 Coach

Master Coach Certificate

24

Three days

Level 1 Tutor

Level 1 Tutor Certificate

16

Two days

Level 2 Tutor

Level 2 Tutor Certificate

16

Two days

Level 3 Tutor

Level 3 Tutor Certificate

16

Two days

Level 4 Tutor / Internal Verifier

Level 4 Tutor Certificate

16

Two days

 

Young ADAPT Award

Young A.D.A.P.T. focuses on guiding young people with aspirations of a career in parkour. Available to children and young adults of all ages up to the age of 15, Young A.D.A.P.T. is a complete programme designed to promote independent learning and self evaluation, leading to the application of self founded knowledge to aid others in their learning processes. The Award builds confidence, resilience, self-efficacy, self-knowledge and mindfulness. 

The programme is split into 7 initial levels of achievement centred around improving the participants movement capabilities through tasks of increasing difficulties. Each participant must first take some time to evaluate their own current level, with advice and guidance from the programme tutors. Participants are then provided with ample opportunity to progress their current level of ability. It is expected that every participant will finish the day with new goals to take away and work towards within their own training. To gain the full benefits of the Young A.D.A.P.T. programme we strongly recommend attending multiple events throughout the participant's development.

Level 1 Coach - 3 day course, 10 Supervised Sessions post-course

The Level 1 Coach Certification introduces the foundation principles of the coaching process and acquiring the core knowledge required to operate in a parkour coaching environment. The course is three days in length with the third day being an active assessment of practical coaching ability as well as a short written assessment.  

  • A Level 1 Coach is expected to be able to manage the basic components of class and create an effective learning environment.
  • A Level 1 Coach should be aware of and understand the planning process for a session and should be able to work collaboratively with other coaches to deliver the aims of the session’s plans.
  • A Level 1 Coach should have a working knowledge of coaching and understand the fundamental human learning mechanisms.
  • Supervised Sessions to be completed within 12 months of completing the course.

Continuing Professional Development Courses (CPD)

Our CPD Courses are 6-8 hour intensive courses covering particular aspects of the coaching paradigm. These courses enable coaches to gain deep, specialist knowledge in areas such as youth coaching, communication skills, event management or movement progressions and regressions. 

The CPD courses become accessible once you have completed the Level 1 Coach Certification, and are broken down into four categories:

Movement Attributes 

  • Parkour Toolbox
  • The Movement Continuum: Progressions and Regressions
  • Strength & Conditioning for Parkour
  • Flow state and Mindful Movement

Coaching Science

  • Communication & Cueing
  • Pedagogical Methods of Coaching

Coaching Paradigms

  • Event & Large Group Coaching
  • Parkour For School Teachers

Special Populations

  • Youth Coaching
  • Parkour for Older People
  • Adaptive Movement for Disability

 

Level 2: Coach - 5 day course, 2 day assessment, 40 reflective coaching sessions post-course

The Level 2 is a truly intensive 5 day experience which will see you exploring fundamental concepts of pedagogy and the science of expertise and human learning. At the same time you will prepared for the Parkour Competence Assessment through group training sessions, challenges and physical learning opportunities. The Level 2 course has a profound effect on everyone who takes part, pushing you to your limits both in mind and body, and sets the standard for the role model that the A.D.A.PT Level 2 Coach must become. 

  • A Coach is expected to be able to take the lead in the delivery of parkour sessions and classes, and be able to demonstrate and explain the fundamental movements and principles of parkour / freerunning to all.
  • A Coach should be able to plan, implement and deliver sessions both indoors and outdoors and for all levels of ability.
  • A Coach should be able to monitor and evaluate their delivery and reflect on their own progress.
  • A Coach could be responsible for supervising Level 1 Coaches and should be able to delegate tasks accordingly.
  • A Coach should have a solid working knowledge of coaching science and be able to understand and provide feedback opportunities at all times.
  • A Coach should be a role model for all practitioners, for onlookers and parents, and for other coaches.

Level 3: Master Coach – 3 day course plus post-course evidence, pre-requisite 500 coaching hours

The prime function of a Master Coach is to act as the pinnacle of coaching expertise and knowledge, with a high level of emotional intelligence. A Master Coach must be able to programme for all learning outcomes, and to plan, recruit, develop, deploy and retain the right coaches to coach in the right environment.

  • A Master Coach is expected to lead sessions and be responsible for supervising Coaches and Assistant Coaches, and be able to delegate tasks accordingly.
  • A Master Coach should be able to deliver a high level of session planning and implementation, and be able to programme for short and long cycles of practice
  • A Master Coach should be able to manage large-scale coaching events.
  • A Master Coach should have skills and experience to supervise a number of individuals and work collaboratively with Coaches and Assistants to deliver a quality coaching experience,. 
  • A Master Coach should have an excellent knowledge of coaching combined with significant levels of experience, i.e. more than 3 years as a level 2 coach
  • A Master Coach must provide evidence of having taught as a lead coach for at least two large parkour coaching events. 

Level 1 ADAPT Tutor – 2 day course plus evidence

The Tutor certifications are for those Master Coaches who want to go on to share their knowledge and experience by delivering the A.D.A.P.T certification courses. The courses focus heavily on core skills such as emotional intelligence, presentation and communication skills, understanding and overcoming bias, and learning the logistics of running courses and delivering in-depth content. This certification enables the individual to act as an official Tutor for ADAPT Level 1 certification courses.

Evidence required:

  • Level 3 Master Coach Certified
  • Must provide evidence of a recognised independent teaching/training qualification, at least 3 years as an active Level 3 coach, 2 coaching events as organiser
  • Fully assisted at least 3 ADAPT Level 1 coach certification courses
  • Completed an observed delivery of a Level 1 coach certification course under observation by an Internal Verifier
  • Approval by a quorum of ADAPT Internal Verifiers, sanctioned by ADAPT Qualifications 

Level 2 ADAPT Tutor – 2 day course plus evidence

The Level 2 Tutor certification enables the individual to act as Tutor/Assessor for the ADAPT Level 2 certifications.

Evidence required:

  • Level 1 Tutor Certified
  • Fully assisted at least 3 ADAPT Level 2 assessment courses
  • Completed an observed delivery of a Level 2 assessment course under observation by an Internal Verifier
  • Approval by a quorum of ADAPT Internal Verifiers, sanctioned by ADAPT Qualifications 

Level 3 Tutor – 2 day course plus evidence

The Level 3 Tutor certification enables the individual to act as Tutor for the ADAPT Level 3 certifications.

Evidence required:

  • Level 2 Tutor Certified
  • Fully assisted at least 3 ADAPT Level 2 assessment courses
  • Delivered a Level 2 assessment course under observation by an Internal Verifier
  • Approval by a quorum of ADAPT Internal Verifiers, sanctioned by ADAPT Qualifications 

Level 4 Internal Verifier – 2 day course plus evidence

The Internal Verifier Certification is the final ADAPT level and enables the certified individual to act as an Internal Verifier for any ADAPT course internationally. Internal Verifiers are appointed by a quorum of existing ADAPT Internal Verifiers after having delivered/attended at least 20 ADAPT certification courses.