2.0 Functions Defined

ICO Framework handbook

2.0 Functions Defined

2.1 Instructor Cadre

Instructors are “art centric” – they are responsible for ensuring the integrity of the art form is transmitted to the student through delivery of official content. Within the limits of their technical mastery an Instructor will:

explain verbally or through demonstration, a curriculum (movements, techniques, forms or kata) as stated in official teaching manuals of the art; and

provide feedback to the student (on their correctness or incorrectness) benchmarked against that curriculum.

2.2 Coach Cadre

Coaches are “student centric” – they are responsible for facilitating the performance development journey of the individual student. Within the limits of their knowledge, experience, and credentials (in some cases stepping outside of the curriculum or art) a Coach will:

engage with students on their performance improvement goals.

consult with an Instructor (if needed) on technical aspects of a practitioner’s performance progress.

observe the performance of the student (who has received instruction) and identify reasons or causes that are hindering their individual progression.

provide practical guidance to enable the student to improve and progress in the art.

Within the ICO framework, the coach cadre is not limited to persons coaching members for performance in competitions. It includes day to day performance and performance towards promotional process.

2.3 Officiator Cadre

Officiators are “performance centric” – they are responsible for ensuring that any formal process to assess the performance of AKR members, either individually, or in competition with others, is conducted professionally and in a fair, consistent, and transparent manner against the official curriculum, standard, and rules of that art.

2.4 Senior Practitioner Cadre

Senior practitioners are persons who have reached a high standard of technical ability and are role models of high performance of the art. In this function they are not responsible for instructing or coaching.

2.5 Functional Interaction

The interaction of the four functions as distinct practitioner learning, development, and assessment stages can be seen below.

2.6 Differentiating Instructing from Coaching

It is acknowledged that some of the skillsets required for instructing and coaching overlap, a person leading training may undertake both functions during a session, and often the terms are used interchangeably.

However separate definitions have been adopted in this framework in recognition that whilst an instructor may have technical knowledge of the art, they may be limited in contemporary coaching skills to improve performance. Conversely an experienced performance improvement coach may not have specific technical knowledge to specify end goals, particularly at high levels.

2.7 Shogo Holders

A Shogo title (as per Section 1.5.10 of the AKR MoDs) is an international title awarded in recognition of significant contribution to the Art. The Shogo system sits separately to ICO development framework and therefore ICO certification is NOT mandatory for Shogo.

However, Shogo holders who directly undertake any ICO functions in this framework should consider undertaking certification to ensure consistency, equality, and transparency.