Safeguarding in Combat Sports & Martial Arts: Comprehensive Coach Certification

The course covers the specific realities and risk factors of CS&MA (e.g., close physical contact, hierarchy, weight management). It ranges from the theoretical understanding of safeguarding and interpersonal violence to practical applications such as injury prevention, concussion management, safe weight cutting, and the implementation of clear reporting procedures and club responsibilities

Certifiers:

Course description

To promote a safe environment for athletes in Combat Sports & Martial Arts (CS&MA) by providing awareness, guidance, and support to technical staff and sports clubs. The course aims to contribute to the human development and welfare of athletes by preventing violence, abuse, and discrimination. By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

Identify the different types of interpersonal violence (psychological, physical, sexual), neglect, bullying, and discrimination within the specific context of CS&MA.
Recognise unique safeguarding risks in CS&MA, including unsafe weight management practices and the signs of brain injuries/concussions.
Apply practical strategies for injury prevention and safe return-to-sport protocols.
Understand the legal and ethical “Duty of Care” and established reporting mechanisms for safeguarding concerns.
Implement a prevention-oriented culture in their clubs aligned with the SAFE-COMBAT Safeguarding Code.

Identify the different types of interpersonal violence (psychological, physical, sexual), neglect, bullying, and discrimination within the specific context of CS&MA.
Recognise unique safeguarding risks in CS&MA, including unsafe weight management practices and the signs of brain injuries/concussions.
Apply practical strategies for injury prevention and safe return-to-sport protocols.
Understand the legal and ethical "Duty of Care" and established reporting mechanisms for safeguarding concerns.
Implement a prevention-oriented culture in their clubs aligned with the SAFE-COMBAT Safeguarding Code.

Curriculum

1.1 What is safeguarding?

1.2 CS&MA unique safeguarding risks

1.3 Creating safe CS&MA environments

1.4 Our safeguarding code and how this MOOC supports it

2.1 Understanding interpersonal violence in CS&MA

2.2 Psychological, physical and sexual violence

2.3 Neglect

2.4 Bullying

2.5 Discrimination

3.1 Introduction to weight management

3.2 Nutrition and hydration fundamentals

3.3 Eating disorders

3.4 Psychological aspects of making weight

3.5 Practical guidelines

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Understanding "Duty of care"

4.3 Identifying and responding to concerns

4.4 Reporting mechanisms and procedures

4.5 Clubs' legal and ethical responsibilities

4.6 Creating a safe club culture

5.1 Introduction to brain injuries in Combat Sports

5.2 Epidemiology, incidence and mechanisms

5.3 Recognition and diagnosis of concussions

5.4 Return-to-sport practices

5.5 Prevention strategies in Combat Sports

6.1 Injuries as a safeguarding issue

6.2 Understanding pain, culture and risk

6.3 Immediate response to injury

6.4 Building a prevention culture

6.5 Practical injury prevention strategies

6.6 Return to practice after injury

More info

This comprehensive training is designed for professionals and volunteers operating within the Combat Sports and Martial Arts (CS&MA) ecosystem. Whether you are on the mats or in the front office, this course provides the essential tools for athlete welfare and club safety.

Primary Audience: Technical staff, including Combat Sports Coaches, Martial Arts Instructors, and Professional Trainers seeking advanced safeguarding certification.
Secondary Audience: Sports Club Managers and administrators.
- Referees and Officials ensuring competition safety.
- Medical Staff and Physiotherapists specializing in combat sports.
- Youth Workers and Volunteers within martial arts communities.

Core Competencies & Learning Objectives

By completing this MOOC, participants will gain specialised expertise in the following areas:

Risk Detection & Injury Prevention: Develop the high-level ability to identify signs of abuse and manage specialised risks unique to combat sports, such as safe weight-cutting protocols and concussion management (Return-to-Play).
Safeguarding Literacy & Ethics: Gain a mastery of the Safeguarding Code, including clear definitions of interpersonal violence, legal frameworks, and ethical responsibilities in a contact-sport environment.
Procedural Application & Reporting: Master the skills required to execute official reporting procedures, handle sensitive disclosures with professional care, and implement standardised safety protocols.
Cultural Leadership in Sports: Acquire the leadership tools to foster an inclusive club environment. Learn to reframe harmful narratives—such as the “no pain, no gain” mentality—to prioritise long-term athlete health and injury prevention culture.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

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