ITF Scotland National Team Selection Standard.

This document outlines the selection process and criteria for the ITF Scotland National Team for participation in the ITF European and World, Senior and Junior Tournaments.

The ITF Scotland National Team selection should be organised with the mission to provide Black Belt students with high national ranking, European or World class potential the opportunity to train in order to compete for a place on the Scottish Team. The process should also have the capability to include those of colour belt rank the opportunity to prepare for future selection.

Selection for the National Team is a great honour, and it is the intention that we develop an environment that promotes and encourages greater participation at national training and in competing at international level. In doing so we will develop a competitive situation whereby there are several candidates vying for individual and team places.

It is also the responsibility of ITF Scotland that the athletes selected to represent ITF Scotland at these titled events are of the highest possible standard by means of a structured and monitored training and selection process.

It is the intention that ITF Scotland only accepts selected competitors who are clearly capable of a credible performance that could place them in their top field in relevant events.

At this point in time it must be noted that ITF Scotland appointees are all volunteers and has no generated funding. All national training sessions must be self funding. NGB’s can be contacted individually for assistance if required.

1.Purpose and Scope

1.1.Purpose

The purpose of the selection standard is to provide clear guidance to elected coaches and trainers in the process of organising, structuring national training and the selecting of appropriate competent athletes for participation at international ITF European and World Championship events.

The standard also provides a necessary legislative requirement that documents the process by which ITF Scotland ensures that the competitors participating at these high level events have been chosen through a fair and indiscriminate process, and will also ensure that the competitors chosen are technically competent in their events and of a physical standard appropriate to the events being contested, should the process ethics be brought under scrutiny or question by the following governing and oversight bodies:

• Sport Scotland
  
  
• ITF Scotland
  
  
• All European Tae Kwon-Do Federation (AETF)
  
  
• International Tae Kwon-Do Federation (ITF)

1.2.Scope

The scope of the standard covers the identification and selection of the National Team Selection Board, their roles and responsibilities; facilitation of national team training sessions, competitor eligibility and the competitor selection process. This process is general and additional reference and guidance should be sought from ITF Scotland Board if a situation arises out with the guidelines.

2.National Team Selection Board

The National Team Selection Board (NTSB) should comprise of the following members to ensure clear lines of communication and accountability for the designated positions.

ITF Scotland selection board will consist of the following members:

• National Team Manager
  
  
• Senior Male Coach
  
  
• Senior Ladies Coach
  
  
• Junior Coach(s)
  
  
• Power Test and Special Technique Coach (if demand dictates)

The appointment of the selection board will be done on an election basis every two years by the ITF Scotland Board. Potential candidates will provide ITF Scotland with a CV of experience and competence based upon areas of expertise in outlined positions and roles.
Each position will have specific roles and responsibilities and as such the candidate selected will be accountable for the success of their particular group development.

Each post within the NTSB must be applied for in writing. Posts not applied for will be considered vacant. At the end of the 2 year term, ITF Scotland will assess the NTSB individual performance measured against the effectiveness in their roles, responsibilities and team results at ITF international events.

3.Facilitation of National Team Training Sessions

3.1.Location and Frequency

In order to ensure fairness to existing and potential competitors, all mandatory national team training sessions will be carried out geographically in three key populated areas namely:

• Central Belt
  
  
• Highland
  
  
• Tayside/Grampian

These mandatory training sessions will be carried out on a monthly basis or as close to this as possible due to National Governing Body and Associates’ existing calendar events. In order to minimise conflict and based on empirical statistics, the mandatory training sessions should be carried out on a Sunday.

The National Team Manager is responsible for organising the training dates and venues in advance. This information should be communicated effectively to the ITF Scotland Secretary who will notify the relevant NGB’s.

Area instructors should be utilised in this process in order to raise interest locally and promote the importance and raise the profile of training with the National “Squad”.

Additional training sessions can be added dependant on training preparations and competitor readiness requirements.

3.2.Training Session Composition

At present ITF International Competitions contest the following events:</stan>

• Individual and Team Pattern
  
  
• Individual and Team Sparring
  
  
• Individual and Team Power Test
  
  
• Individual and Team Special Technique

Rules and regulations outlining the above events can be found on the relevant ITF websites. Notification has been given that the following event has been proposed to be added to the competition events listing:

• Pre-arranged free sparring (traditional sparring)

All competitors must be registered ITF blackbelts 1st – 4th degree. Notification has been given that a proposal has been forwarded to include following degrees elligble to compete:

• 5th and 6th Degree

It is the responsibility of the NTSB to structure the training sessions, based upon priority, so that all events detailed above are covered. A timetable per session should be drafted and circulated as so to attract those competitors who do not wish to undergo sparring and associated sparring exercises.

In order to maximise coaches and competitors time effectively, with respect to travel implications, training session duration should be no less than 4 hours.

It must be noted that all coaches and competitors must attend these sessions.

Waivers from some portion of this mandatory training may be issued by the National Team Manager and will not be unreasonably withheld but will most often be issued in cases of illness, injury or emergency situations.

A record must be kept of all competitors attending, and absentees when appropriate, the training sessions.

3.3.Liability and Risk

It is the responsibility of the NTM that all participants at the national training sessions have the appropriate indemnity insurance. Those who cannot show documented evidence of insurance, MUST without exception, sign a release waiver exonerating liability of the coaching staff and ITF Scotland.

It is the responsibility of the NTM to ensure training venues are fit for purpose and safe to carry out the proposed training schedule.

4.Competitor Eligibility

Competitors can only be considered eligible if they comply with the following criteria:

Only competitors who are registered with an ITF Scotland affiliated group will be considered for selection. All competitors must be ITF registered blackbelts with a current ITF certificate. All competitors must be of the appropriate age for the proposed competition.

5.Competitor Selection

The objective of the selection process is to assemble a team of competitors who are considered to have sufficient ability to realistically finish in the top four placing at an ITF European and World Championship, with the priority of winning the most medals possible for Scotland.

5.1.Selection Qualifiers

Students who meet the criteria are deemed competent for entry into the selection process. The selection criteria detailed will be used to generate a list of nominations for the available places for each event.

Wherever possible, selection criteria are based on purely objective measures of performance outlined below.

• Attain minimum fitness and conditioning levels appropriate to the event requirements. (under construction)
  
  
• Be technically competent in event(s) contested and can attain minimum qualification levels pertinent to event. (under construction)
  
  
• Compete in all national competitions and those competitions selected by the NTSB deemed appropriate to the advancement and development of competition experience.
  
  
• Achieve a top 4 placement in National ITF Competition (excludes round robin events)
  
  
• Have the appropriate attitude towards fellow competitors and coaches.
  
  
• Attend all mandatory national training sessions.
  
  
• Can confirm occupation or study leave suitable for the duration of the championships and associated travelling time.
  
  
• Can generate sufficient individual funding to cover relevant costs.

Many elements of competitor assessment will be observed but subjective. The individual competitor assessments as well as the proposed team selection will be presented and defended by the National Team Manager who will ensure that all elements of individual and team performance have been considered thoroughly for all competitors.

5.2.Selection Disqualifiers

A competitor nominated or named to the team may be removed from the team if:

• He/she withdraws from the team, in writing, to the selection committee.
  
  
• He/she sustains an injury or illness that will keep him/her from preparing for or competing at the Championships at the level which qualified him/her for nomination.
  
  
• He/she demonstrates improper conduct and attitude.
  
  
• He/she cannot confirm occupational or study leave.
  
  
• He/she cannot raise sufficient funding.

6.Reporting (Under Construction)

In order to complete a documented selection process the following recording procedure and tools will be deemed necessaryto successfully manage national team business.

6.1.Reporting Procedure (Under Construction)

6.2.Reporting Tools (Draft)

• Competitor Personal Details inc emergency contact details :
  
  
• Competitor Tournament History (last 2 years)
  
  
• National Training Register
  
  
• Competitor Performance Test Record
  
  
• Calendar of National Training and venues
  
  
• Calendar of Non Ranking Competitons
  
  
• Calendar of Ranking Competitons
  
  
• Competition Performance report

7.Appendices

7.1.National Team Manager Roles and Responsibilities (Under construction)

Totally accountability for national team selection and performance

• Reports directly to ITF Scotland Board
  
  
• Presence of experience and leadership
  
  
• Planning of National Training Calendar
  
  
• Organising training session plan
  
  
• Training session oversight
  
  
• Stand in coach when required
  
  
• Compilation of training records
  
  
• Develop financial team accounts
  
  
• Organise travel and accommodation
  
  
• All tournament entry requirements
  
  
• Define coaches duties and expectancies
  
  
• Compile post competition (Euro and World only) report to ITF Board
  
  
• Full knowledge of ITF tournament rules and regulations
  
  
• The safety of all competitors and coaches

7.2.National Coach Roles and Responsibilities (Under construction)

Reports to National Team Manager

• Has accountability for group performance
  
  
• Assists and recommends competitors for selection
  
  
• Presence of experience, motivation and leadership
  
  
• Enhance and improve standard of competitors
  
  
• Necessary experience in planning individual and team training
  
  
• Carry out all training and coaching activities relevant to his/her team
  
  
• Ability to enhance competitor interaction and team cohesiveness both on and away from events.
  
  
• Full knowledge of ITF tournament rules and regulations

7.3.Minimum Qualification Levels - Patterns (Under construction)

Pattern: The competitor can effectively demonstrate:

• Complete knowledge of appropriate pattern diagrams and technical content.
  
  
• Demonstrate technical attributes of Power, Rhythm, Balance and Breath Control.
  
  
• Demonstrate physical attributes of strength, flexibility and stamina required for extended pattern performance.
  
  
• Control emotions and perform under pressure.
  
  
• Is self motivated to practice and is responds to coaching and advice.

7.4.Minimum Qualification Levels - Sparring (Under construction)

Sparring: The competitor can effectively demonstrate:

• Technically competent in areas of offence
  
  
• Technically competent in areas if defence
  
  
• Technically competent in areas of counter attack
  
  
• Technically competent in ring craft and movement
  
  
• Is conditioned physically to accept the physical demands of contact sparring
  
  
• Has sufficient strength and stamina required to compete throughout a sparring event duration
  
  
• Has sufficient stamina to compete in a 3 x 2 minute round test
  
  
• Can show sufficient tactical skill when faced with larger opponents
  
  
• Is self motivated to improve fitness and technical levels
  
  
• Indomitable spirit
  
  
• Proven track record of ITF competition experience
  
  
• Good sporting attitude
  
  
• Knows ITF rules pertaining to sparring

7.5.Minimum Qualification Levels – Power Test (Under Construction)

Power Test: The competitor can effectively demonstrate:

• Technically competent in all techniques Forefist Punch (male only); Knifehand; Turning Kick (male only); Side Kick; Reverse Turning Kick (male only).
  
  
• Hand and foot tools are sufficiently conditioned for board breaking criteria expected at ITF international events.
  
  
• Break 3 (2 for female) white boards with designated hand techniques and 4 boards (2 for female) in designated foot techniques under ITF rules conditions.
  
  
• Knows ITF rules pertaining to power test.

7.6.Minimum Qualification Levels – Special Technique (Under Construction)

Spec Tech: The competitor can effectively demonstrate:

• Technically competent in all techniques Overhead Kick (male only); Flying Turning Kick; Flying 360° Back (male only); Jumping Reverse Turning Kick (male only). Flying long side kick.
  
  
• Achieve minimum qualification height (to be determined)
  
  
• Knows ITF rules pertaining to special technique