Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Participant's needs and characteristics may include:
age
cultural factors
previous experience
fitness level and physical capabilities
knowledge of intermediate canoe polo skills and tactics
swimming skills
injuries and illnesses.
Readiness may include:
fitness levels
motor performance factors
psychological factors.
Session's aims and objectives may include:
progressive skill acquisition
self improvement
fitness targets
motivation
individual and team tactics and skills.
Plan may include:
session's aims and objectives
date, time and duration
location
coach and participant ratios
equipment and resources
drills, activities and games
weather details
safety requirements.
Physical conditioning may include:
five components of fitness
development of physical abilities
techniques to prevent shoulder injury.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits from authorities
privacy
working with children
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
conflict resolution
communication protocols
use, care and maintenance of equipment
training and scheduling commitments
code of ethics.
Endorsed standards promoted by canoeing may include:
Australian Canoeing coaches code of conduct policy
accreditation of coaches throughout National Coaching Accreditation Scheme
Australian Sports Commission Harassment-free Sport policy.
Safety procedures may include:
group management in emergency situations
symptoms, treatment and prevention of common canoe polo injuries and risks
equipment checking and usage.
Drills, activities may include:
those described in Level 1 Canoe Polo Manual
sequential progression of skills
offence and defence tactics and strategies
individualised drills
concentration drills
basic paddling drills.
Games may include:
modified games and competitions
focus on skill or skills and or tactic or tactics
specific play focus
offence and defence
practice matches.
Location may include:
suitably sized swimming pools
lakes or rivers with flatwater.
Equipment may include:
polo canoes or kayaks
lightweight paddles
goals
polo ball
personal protective equipment
buoyancy aids
floating ropes
spray deck.
Resources may include:
video equipment
stopwatch
sports science testing equipment
first aid kit.
Set up and trim may include:
construction and characteristics of paddlers and boats
selection of equipment relevant to paddler and conditions
rig and steering.
Relevant information may include:
skill or skills focus
equipment and resource requirements, selection and use
safety procedures
communication systems
aims and objectives
rules and regulations of canoe polo
responsible and safe behaviour.
Risks may include:

impact injuries
collision
capsize
exhaustion
dehydration.
Rules, regulations and policies may include:
national and international rules of canoe polo
Australian Canoeing anti-doping policy
Australian Sports Commission Harassment-free Sport policy
age restrictions.
Communication system may include:
calls
signals
signs
codes.
Teaching and coaching techniques may include:
demonstration
explanation
focusing on a single skill or tactic
breaking down skills and tactics into components
progressing through and linking skills
shaping and modelling approaches
reciprocal or peer tutoring
questioning, monitoring and observing progress
assessment and evaluation.
Required knowledge may include:
rules, regulations and policies of canoe polo
canoe polo skills and tactics
basic biomechanical principles
factors affecting skill acquisition.
Intermediate skills and tactics of canoe polo may include:
paddling skills
entry and exit of canoe
strokes
edging the boat, off side and on side for each stroke
control strategies
hand roll, rolling and rolling with the ball
passing
receiving
shooting
dribbling
blocking
goal keeping
positions and zoning
tackling and avoidance
teamwork and communication.
Participant's performance may include:
performance and accuracy of intermediate canoe polo skills and tactics
attitude and behaviour
ability to link and perform the intermediate skills and tactics of canoe polo.
Stroke analysis and correction may include:
posture
common approach to technique
trunk rotation
hand position
leg drive
boat movement.
Relevant aspects may include:
effectiveness of the teaching and coaching session
suitability of teaching and coaching methods
feedback provided to or by participants
initial and final assessment of participant's abilities.

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:
plans and delivers information, explanations and demonstrations for canoe polo sessions to ensure activities are conducted safely according to participant's needs
observes and monitors the progress of participants and provides constructive feedback and intervention to improve and develop the skills and tactics of canoe polo to an intermediate level
uses and modifies teaching and coaching techniques and drills, activities and games to cater for a range of individual learning styles
evaluates and reflects on own coaching performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure conduct of safe sessions that reflect the needs and characteristics of a range of participants and are of sufficient duration and breadth to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
swimming pools or flatwater rivers or lakes suitable for intermediate canoe polo
a group of canoe polo participants to participate in intermediate sessions
equipment such as polo canoes or kayaks, lightweight paddles, goals, personal protection, buoyancy aids, floating ropes and spray deck
rules, regulations, policies and legislation that impact on the conduct of drills, activities and games.
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 planning processes, such as consulting with participants to determine their needs and characteristics
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of legislative and organisational requirements and rules, regulations and policies of canoe polo to enable safe conduct of all drills, activities and games during the session or sessions
observation of safe coaching of intermediate canoe polo skills and tactics, and monitoring and adjusting instructional techniques according to participant's needs, characteristics and responses
portfolio of session plans and self-evaluations
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.