Coach contact includes the following between coaches and gymnasts:
• The manual supporting of gymnasts.
• Face-to-face contact
• Contact within 1 metre.
• Being less than 2 metres away
• Prolonged contact for 3+ seconds throughout a session
UPDATED: Thursday 20th May at 12.50pm
The British Gymnastics Return to Coach Contact Framework has been approved by the DCMS for England and the DfC and SNI’s expert panel in Northern Ireland. As a result, clubs, and coaches/instructors are now able to adopt the controls outlined within the action plan and safely resume some manual handling activities.
During this phased return to coach contact, each coach/instructor must limit the coach contact and manual support for one identified group* for a maximum of 15 minutes per session.
Manual support may not be provided for any other group or individuals once the identified group for each coach/instructor has been decided.
Unless specifically stated the Q&A applies to both England and Northern Ireland.
Return to Coach contact Framework - England
Return to Coach contact Framework - Northern Ireland
- 20/05/2021 - What is coach contact/manual support?
20/05/2021 - What does Phase One allow?
Phase one allows for coach contact including manual support to resume.20/05/2021 - When can I move onto phase 2 and 3?
During this phased return to manual support, each coach/instructor must limit the coach contact time to a maximum of 15 minutes per day, for one fixed group* for at least a minimum period of two-weeks of pre-planned activity.
Manual support may not be provided for any other group or individuals once the identified group for each coach/instructor has been decided.
Groups must not exceed government groups size limits (or British Gymnastics coach: gymnast ratios) and each group is limited to 15 minutes coach contact per day.
Where possible, clubs, and coaches/instructors should control and keep to a minimum the number of gymnasts that require manual support to reduce the number of contact any one coach has.England20/05/2021 - If my club opens on 12th April 2021 but I have coaches not returning from furlough until May 2021, do they still need to complete 2 weeks without coach contact?
Phase 1 of the British Gymnastics Coach Contact Framework has now been approved by the DCMS allowing recognised gymnastics environments across England to begin delivery of manual support.
Whilst the framework provides a clear three phased approach, it is essential that clubs and coaches ONLY permit coach contact activities in line with Phase 1 for a minimum of 2 weeks, before entering Phase 2.
The full framework has been released to show the transition to full coach contact over time. British Gymnastics are governed by the DCMS who will advise us of when it is safe and appropriate for movement into Phase 3 and therefore until permission is granted from the government the additional phases are for information only.
Northern Ireland
Following the completion of phase one for a minimum of 2 weeks, clubs may move to phase 2. The movement into Phase 3 will be permitted when it is safe and appropriate in line with further easement of restrictions.
For example, if gymnastics sessions restart on Monday 24th May the following timescales would apply:
24th May – Open for non-contact group sessions following British Gymnastics Step Forward Plan and government guidance
7th June – Start of RTCC Phase 1
21st June – Start of RTCC Phase 2
TBC – Start of RTCC Phase 3. Not yet permitted.Yes, they must complete 2 weeks of socially distanced coaching in a recognised indoor gymnastics environment. This allows for coaches to familiarise themselves with current guidelines and ensure the risk of transmission is reduced.25/05/2021 - Can I count my outdoor activities, potentially from 29/3/21, as my 2 weeks of ‘normal coaching’?No. The 2 weeks of ‘normal coaching’ must be completed in a recognised indoor gymnastics environment. This is to allow all parties to familiarise themselves with the COVID guidelines currently in place, allows gymnasts to begin to practice skills (which should not be done outdoors), and gives coaches a chance to evaluate which gymnasts may require manual support in this phase.20/03/2021 - Why can I only adopt phase 1 of the framework? What is the phased approach?England
Clubs wishing to resume coach contact activities must follow the phased approach and complete phase one for a minimum of 2 weeks before moving to phase two.
A copy of the phased approach can be seen here.
Phase 1 of the British Gymnastics Coach Contact Framework has now been approved by the DCMS allowing recognised gymnastics environments across England to begin delivery of manual support.
Whilst the framework provides a clear three phased approach, it is essential that clubs and coaches ONLY permit coach contact activities in line with Phase 1. The full framework has been released to show the transition to full coach contact over time. British Gymnastics are governed by the DCMS who will advise us of when it is safe and appropriate for movement into phase 2 and 3 and therefore until permission is granted from the government the additional phases are for information only.
Northern Ireland
Clubs wishing to resume coach contact activities must follow the phased approach (more info here) and complete phase one for a minimum of 2 weeks before moving to phase two.
A copy of the phased approach can be seen here.
The British Gymnastics Return to Coach Contact Framework has been reviewed and approved by the Department for Communities and Sport Northern Ireland’s Expert Panel.
British Gymnastics recognised gymnastics environments are now able to resume coach contact and manual support activities if following the control measures included within the action plan and adhering to the appropriate protocols for phase 1 and/or phase 2.
Whilst the framework provides a clear three phased approach, it is essential that those delivering gymnastics ONLY permit coach contact activities up to and including Phase Two. The full framework has been released to show the transition to full coach contact over time. The movement into Phase 3 will be permitted when it is safe and appropriate in line with further easement of restrictions. - 20/05/2021 - What is Phase 2?
This phase is not yet allowed under current guidelines. Further information will be provided once this Phase is allowed to roll out.
Phase 2: Coaches/instructors must ensure they only support one group within a session. Coaches/Instructors can support a number of groups within a day / across a number of sessions in a week. - 20/05/2021 - What is Phase 3?
This phase is not yet allowed under current guidelines. Further information will be provided once this Phase is allowed to roll out.
Phase 3: Coach/instructor able to provide manual support to gymnasts in any group or session. Gymnasts and gymnasts must still abide to social distancing* guidelines. Coaches/instructors must wear PPE and sanitise hands as per Coach Contact Framework. - 20/05/2021 - Can I provide manual support to gymnasts over the age of 18?
Manual support activities for adults over the age of 18 is permitted. All adult gymnasts must ‘opt in’ to coach contact activities and may withdraw at any time.
Where possible, coach contact for over 18’s should be kept to a minimum due to an increased risk in transmission for these age groups. If manual support activities are required increased hand hygiene and other suitable controls must be put in place. Extra caution should also be taken when coaches/instructors are providing manual support for groups that have both over 18’s and under 18’s in. - 20/05/2021 - What is manual support in gymnastics? Does it include ‘spotting’?
Manually supporting is providing physical contact on approved sites of a gymnast’s body to enable them to complete an activity or skill.
This is via approved manual support techniques as per coach education courses and resources.
Manual support can sometimes be the only option for a coach/instructor to continue safe skill progression when there are limited training aids, apparatus, or space available to them.
“Spotting” is integral with the safe learning of gymnastic skills and involve the techniques of observation, to ensure the safe performance of the skill. Coaches/instructors must be continually alert to the risks encountered where an inferior performance occurs and be ready to provide emergency support. It would be expected that the coach/instructor position would be within 2 meters of the gymnast therefore all guidance for manual support activities should be followed. “Spotting” is included within the 15-minute period that is allocated within this phase of the framework as you will be within 2m distance of the gymnast for effective spotting techniques and therefore the risk of transmission of the virus is increased. - 20/05/2021 - If I am only spotting a skill and not providing manual support, should I still wear a face mask?
Yes – even if you are spotting you will still need to wear a face mask/covering (unless exempt). There is still the risk that you will need to support the gymnast and therefore, you must protect both yourself and the gymnast from the risk of transmission of coronavirus.
- 20/05/2021 - Can I lift/help a gymnast onto the apparatus now manually?
Adaptation to apparatus setup should be considered to allow a gymnast to independently mount a piece of apparatus safely in the first instance.
Where there is an identified increased risk, due to the mounting/dismounting on apparatus, assistance can be provided but will be included in the allocated 15-minutes. - 20/05/2021 - Can gymnasts provide manual support to another gymnast?
No - gymnast to gymnast supporting/contact is not allowed unless working under the Team Sport Framework in identified disciplines/activities
- 20/05/2021 - What is the maximum number of gymnasts I can provide manual support to?
To ensure that a safe and effective coaching/instructing situation is maintained, British Gymnastics recommends reasonable ratio of participants to coach/instructor here.
However, group sizes cannot exceed the current government guidelines. - 20/05/2021 - Does this now mean that social distancing is not required in sessions?
The approval of the British Gymnastics Coach Contact Framework does not allow for social distancing to be fully removed from the gymnastics environment. The controls in place are specific to the planned manual support activity. Where these activities are not being performed, social distancing must be adhered to (for example, during warm-ups, conditioning, and individual skill work).
Coaches/instructors are still required to maintain social distancing with no permitted contact between coaches/instructors and gymnasts except for the planned manual support activities. - 20/05/2021 - Are 2 coaches/instructors support together permitted (double supporting)?
No additional assistance from another coach/instructor (double supporting) is permitted at any stage of the phased return. Coaches/instructors must take this into consideration when planning the skills, they are incorporating in sessions.
- 20/05/2021 - Can I use a hand-to-hand technique to manually support the gymnast?
Coaches/instructors should avoid hand to hand manual support during any supported activity and use appropriate body parts or training aids where possible.
- 20/05/2021 - Are there any restrictions to the coach/instructor positioning when providing manual support activities?
Alternatives to being face to face to the gymnast whilst providing manual support should be considered as the risk of transmission is higher i.e. supporting from the side.
- 20/05/2021 - Who does the Return to Coach Contact Framework apply to?
The return to coach contact framework applies to all coaches/instructors, gymnasts, and volunteers across all disciplines. Clubs and gymnastics providers wishing to return to contact coaching must implement the control measures as outlined within the Coach Contact Framework Action Plan.
Please note, the Coach Contact Framework does not allow for social distancing to be fully removed from the gymnastics environment. The controls in place are specific to the identified activities, where these activities are not being performed, social distancing must be adhered to e.g., warm up/conditioning and does not allow for the pairing or grouping of gymnasts*. Coaches/instructors are still required to socially distance with no permitted contact between coaches/instructors and gymnasts except pre-planned manual support activities.
*pairing or grouping of gymnasts is only permitted with control measures as covered within the Team Sport Framework. - 20/05/2021 - What do clubs/gymnastics providers have to do to resume manual support?
Gymnastics clubs/providers wishing to resume manual support within the planned activities must follow all government guidance including further transmission mitigating control measures required as stipulated within the British Gymnastics Return to Coach Contact Framework here (England) and here (Northern Ireland).
Coaches / instructors will be using a phased return to manual support activities as shown in the table below. The club/ gymnastics provider should be operating as per guidance set out in the Step Forward Plan for a minimum of 2 weeks, gymnasts and coaches/instructors must be working independently of each other with social distancing in place throughout this time. Clubs/ gymnastics providers wishing to recommence manual support activity must follow the control measures within the Return to Coach Contact Action Plan alongside the Club Checklist and be confident in these to reduce the likelihood of getting or spreading Coronavirus in their gymnastics environment. - 20/05/2021 - What does the 2-week independent training mean for both the coach/instructor and gymnast?
These 2 weeks must take place in a gymnastic approved facility where both gymnast and coach are physically present. Social distancing must be always adhered to and no contact is permitted between coaches/instructors and gymnasts for a minimum of 2 weeks before they start the phased return to coach contact.
Activity planned and delivered during this time should be appropriate for socially distanced coaching and no close spotting/manual support is permitted under the current guidelines. Download your social distance coaching tips here. - 20/05/2021 - What is the opt-in agreement, and do we need consent? What if a coach/instructor/gymnast does NOT opt-in?
Yes, you must gain consent for any planned manual support activities.
The opt-in agreement allows for clear communication between the gymnast/coach/instructor/parent/carer and club/ gymnastics provider around the increased risks of taking part in activities requiring manual support. All involved must understand and agree to the control measures in place. If the gymnast/coach/instructor is under the age of 18 then a parent/carer must sign the form if the gymnast/coach/instructor agrees to it. It is important that the parents/carers have regular conversations regarding returning to coach contact with their child before, during and after the form is signed. Due to the increased risks of getting and spreading coronavirus associated with a return to manual support, all gymnasts/coaches/instructors/parents/carers must be made aware of the increase in transmission risk as part of the opt-in agreement. All involved must understand and agree to the control measures in place. Gymnasts/coaches/instructors have a responsibility to protect themselves and those they are working with. Clubs/ gymnastics providers and coaches/instructors must make all gymnasts (and parents/carers) aware that they are opting into any activities related to the return to manual support and that they can withdraw their consent at any time. Each individual gymnast and coach/instructor must consider their own circumstances which includes, but is not limited to, personal underlying health conditions and the increased risk associated with taking part in manual support activities. All gymnasts and coaches/instructors (and their parents/carers for those under the age of eighteen) must be given the option to opt into an agreement, with the controls as outlined within this action plan, accompanying code of behaviour and should have the comprehension of its seriousness, assuming the personal responsibility for their own, and be mindful of others health and safety.
Clubs/ gymnastics providers and coaches/instructors must ensure all gymnasts (and parents/carers) are aware what manual support activities are included. They do not have to opt-in and they may withdraw at any time if they chose to. It is the club/ gymnastics providers responsibility to inform relevant coaches/instructors and parents/carers of any changes to the opt-in agreement.
The club/ gymnastics provider must be sensitive to those individuals who may not want to return to manual support and ensure they can still participate fully in the session. - 20/05/2021 - Do coaches/instructors and gymnasts need to wear PPE for Manual Support?
All coaches/instructors must wear a face mask/covering in line with government guidance during coach contact/manual support activities with each gymnast. This must remain on throughout the supported activity and until the gymnast is 2m in distance away, adhering to social distance guidelines. Any coach/instructor who is exempt from wearing a face mask will need to risk assess further with their club/gymnastics provider for their own safety as well as the gymnasts. A face shield may be more appropriate to ensure manual support can still be applied.
Gymnasts do not need to wear a face covering or any PPE. - 20/05/2021 - What about gymnasts/coaches/instructors that have an underlying health condition or disability? What if you are exempt from wearing a facemask?
Each individual gymnast and coach/instructor must consider their own circumstances which includes but is not limited to personal underlying health conditions and the increased risk associated with taking part in manual support activities. All gymnasts and coaches/instructors (and their parents/carers for those under the age of eighteen) must be given the option to opt into an agreement, with the controls as outlined within this you are exempt from wearing a facemask? action plan, accompanying code of behaviour and should have the comprehension of its seriousness, assuming the personal responsibility for their own, and be mindful of others health and safety.
Any coach/instructor who is exempt from wearing a face mask will need to risk assess further with their club/gymnastics provider for their own safety as well as the gymnasts. A face shield may be more appropriate to ensure manual support can still be applied. Gymnasts do not need to wear a face covering. - 20/05/2021 - Can a coach/instructor provide manual support across multiple groups in phase 1?
No, during phase one a coach/instructor must carefully select one fixed group of gymnasts to provide a maximum of 15-minutes manual support to per day. This group remains unchanged for this phase.
Groups must not exceed government groups size limits (or British Gymnastics coach: gymnast ratios) and each group is limited to 15 minutes coach contact per day.
Where possible, clubs, and coaches/instructors should control and keep to a minimum the number of gymnasts that require manual support to reduce the number of contact any one coach has. - 20/05/2021 - How do I prioritise the groups/gymnasts I provide manual support to?
Coaches/ instructors will need to consider all the gymnasts that they work with including their current level, goals and future development to avoid delays in the gymnasts’ progressions. Coaches/ instructors should refer to the guidance as to when manual support may occur, and ask themselves the following questions:
• Does the methodical activity or apparatus adaptation carry risk and you want to ensure the gymnast can perform it safely?
• Is methodical activity or apparatus adaptation new, and the gymnast is apprehensive?
• Is the gymnast attempting or practising the full skill and there is a risk of injury during the skill or upon landing?
• Is there is a risk of overuse injury, or repetitive stress or strain due to forces associated with the amount of practise required to learn and master the full skill? - 20/05/2021 - Is there a limit on the amount of time I can provide manual support?
Phase 1:
During Phase 1 of the British Gymnastics Return to Coach Contact Framework, coach contact including manual support is allowed but limited to 15 minutes per day for one group of gymnasts only. This group must remain unchanged throughout this phase. - 20/05/2021 - If a coach/instructor is ill for a session, can another coach/instructor stand-in and provide manual support to that group?
Phase 1
Yes, however the replacement coach/instructor must not currently be providing manual support to any other groups. The manual support must still be limited to 15-minutes.
The replacement coach/instructor must have also signed an opt-in agreement and it is to be recorded that the replacement coach/instructor took that session for Test and Trace purposes. - 20/05/2021 - RETURN FOLLOWING A POSITIVE TEST RESULT - If a gymnast or coach/instructor had to self-isolate due to testing positive for the coronavirus, can they return to manual support activities straight away?
If a coach/instructor or gymnast has had to self-isolate after a positive coronavirus test, the individual would need to complete two weeks of individual work in gymnastics sessions prior to resuming the phased return to coach contact from phase 1.
- 20/05/2021 - RETURN FOLLOWING SELF-ISOLATING BUT NO SYMPTOMS - If I have been self-isolating for the required amount of time but do not show any symptoms, can I return to manual support activities?
Yes – if no symptoms are shown after the self-isolation period, normal activities can resume. The coach/instructor should spend time reviewing a gymnast’s physical preparation, skill level and risk involved after returning from a self-isolation period when planning manual support activities.
- 20/05/2021 - I coach/instruct in gymnastics in multiple gymnastics spaces, can I provide manual support in all sessions?
You cannot manually support multiple groups as part of phase 1, therefore you can only resume coach contact in one venue. You must identify one group that requires manual support.
- 20/05/2021 - I coach/instruct in different sports; can I still provide manual support activities in my gymnastics club/provider?
Where possible during phase one, coaches/instructors should limit their close contact activities across all professions/sports coaching.
Coaches/instructors will need to follow guidelines as set out by each organisation they work for whether paid or voluntary. Any coach/instructor who is working in multiple venues will need to risk assess further across all environments and implement increased control measures for their own safety as well as the gymnasts due to the increased risk of transmission. - 20/05/2021 - I have another profession that includes the potential for close contact e.g. teacher, care assist, nurse. Can I still provide manual support activities in the sessions?
Where possible during phase one, coaches/instructors should limit their close contact activities across all professions/sports coaching.
Coaches/instructors will need to follow guidelines as set out by each organisation they work for whether paid or voluntary. Any coach/instructor who is working in multiple venues will need to risk assess further across all environments and implement increased control measures for their own safety as well as the gymnasts due to the increased risk of transmission. - 20/05/2021 - Am I able to instruct another coach/instructor to provide manual support on my behalf?
Yes, the coach/instructor must not be providing manual support to any other groups during phase one.
The coach/instructor that will be providing the manual support must have signed the opt-in agreement and be following the return to coach contact framework.
The coach/instructor that will be providing the manual support must be working within their current qualification or working towards a qualification within an active registration period (i.e. attended min day 1 of a course). - 20/05/2021 - Will coaches who have gymnasts as part of the elite programme fall under the return to coaching framework guidelines?
For elite gymnasts who require close spotting or manual support as part of preparations for a major competition representing GBR, approval must be sought from the British Gymnastics Performance Director by emailing: Performance@british-gymnastics.org.
The Return to Coach Contact framework is for all participants who do not fall under the elite training guidance and should follow the Return to Coach Contact Framework.