Level 3 Plan and Prescribe training is essential for coaches who want to support performance-focused riders, through the provision of detailed, individualised training programmes.  

We currently offer courses in the disciplines of mountain bike, road, track, BMX and cyclo-cross.

Course overview

This course is for coaches who hold a Level 2 discipline-specific qualification. This course focuses on how to develop individual training plans. Unique to this aspect of coaching, on successful completion, you will likely work with riders remotely. This course does not cover advanced technical skills.

This course is mainly delivered online, through BC Learning, and virtual tutorials, and an in-person development day is offered too.

What will I learn? 

Level 3 Plan & Prescribe training will equip you with the tools to understand and plan training for riders. You will cover:

• Your coaching philosophy, motivations, and professional responsibilities.
• The coaching process, unique to this model of coaching.
• Performance demands and the physiological concepts of training.
• Planning and prescribing training
• Communicating and recording training through the use of training diaries, and how to build an annual plan. 

The optional learning available at the end of this course will challenge some of the commonly accepted concepts within sport. Upon completion, you will be a critical thinker who can excel in the performance domain of cycling coaching. 

What is the course length and structure? 

• You have 12 months to complete this course from your first online tutorial. All coursework must be submitted to your tutor for evaluation within the 12 month period, or further charges will apply. 
• The initial phase up to and including the development day lasts 7 weeks – this will provide the tools and support in order for you to develop an annual training plan for your riders, after which you will be delivering that plan.
• Additional online support will be offered by your coach developer on a 1-2-1 basis and you will be invited to a L3 Coaching Communities of Practice.
• Tasks will then help you to apply this learning, to practice this model of coaching.
• Small group tutorials (of no more than five coaches) provide the opportunity to discuss the topic in more detail, to check your understanding, ask questions, and to further explore how it relates to coaching in that discipline.
• For each topic, tutorials are supported through a series of short videos, additional reading and infographics.
• You will then complete some practical coaching, which will build a portfolio for assessment. You will need to recruit two riders for this element of the course.
• The course will finish with you presenting one rider from your assessment as case study example to your peers in a community of practice.

The structure is as follows:

How much does it cost? 

£455 (if successful upon application), broken down as follows:

£15 – non-refundable application fee

£440 – L3 P&P course cost

What do I need before I can apply for this course?  

• Hold the Level 2 Discipline Specific Award – in the discipline you wish to enrol in
• To recruit two riders for the coaching assessment
• British Cycling Membership (Ride, Silver or Gold)

How do I apply?  

Please click on the booking links below to complete your online application. A British Cycling tutor will then conduct a phone based interview to assess your suitability for the course. If successful, you will be invited to enrol on the full course. If unsuccessful, you will be given an action plan to support your development.

Upcoming courses 

There is one enrolment opportunity in each discipline, per calendar year. You can find further details for each course, including tutorial dates, in the booking link below.

If there is no course available, please complete our short form to express interest. This will help us to plan for future courses and let you know when a more suitable date has been added.

Express your interest in courses