Skip to content


British Aikido Board


The National Governing Body for Aikido in the United Kingdom.
Aikido is a martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba, that focuses on harmonising with your opponent, it can be practiced as a sport, self defence and an art using hand to hand and japanese weapons.

Welcome to the British Aikido Board

The British Aikido Board seeks to:-

  • Represent the majority of bona fide organisations practicing aikido in the United Kingdom.
  • Support, encourage and promote the highest standards of aikido within an environment of mutual respect for offering styles practiced.
  • Raise awareness of the value of aikido not only as a contributor towards healthy living, but also in the development of adults, young people and children, without regard to race, gender or creed.

The British Aikido Board operates primarily through its member Associations. There are 42 currently Full Member Associations with 5 Associate and Probationary Member Associations of regional and national status, who each retain their independence, both technically and financially, with a combined membership of some 5,000 , which includes 1232 instructors holding current Coaching Awards.

The Board is recognised by Sport England , as the only governing body for aikido in the United Kingdom and is a member of the Sport and Recreation Alliance.

 

The Board seeks to further the advancement of all styles of aikido and to establish and monitor standards of safety and behaviour for practitioners of aikido.

The Board advises member Associations on all relevant UK and European legislation and procedures and develops appropriate policies and codes of practice.

Other services provided include:-
•  Insurance cover, for members, instructors and Associations.
•  Promotion of a Nationally recognised Coaching Scheme in conjunction with UK Coaching / Sport England.
•  Organising a National Courses.
•  Supporting initiatives to encourage the teaching of Aikido in schools.
•  Publishing Newsletters and specialist information bulletins eg. Safeguarding and Coaching.

The Board has completed a number of initiatives, arising from the work of their major Governance Audit and through the adoption of a wide range of recommendations, contained in their Aikido Development Plan will support their key objective of encouraging all Aikido groups to join together under this “Aikido umbrella”.

  • Entering Amazon from here before you purchase ensures the BAB is supported by Amazon.

  • Entering Amazon from here before you purchase ensures the BAB is supported by Amazon.

  • Entering Amazon from here before you purchase ensures the BAB is supported by Amazon.

  • Entering Amazon from here before you purchase ensures the BAB is supported by Amazon.

  • Entering Amazon from here before you purchase ensures the BAB is supported by Amazon.

Entering Amazon from here supports the BAB.


British Aikido Board


The National Governing Body for Aikido in the United Kingdom.
Aikido is a martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba, that focuses on harmonising with your opponent, it can be practiced as a sport, self defence and an art using hand to hand and japanese weapons.

There are three main Coaching levels. These are Levels 1, 2 and 3. Additional BAB and UK Coaching modules/courses are also required for CL2 and CL3 and shown in tables 1&2 below.

How to take a BAB Coaching Course

  • The CL1 2 day course can be taken with an Association or a BAB tutor and includes the final assessment.
  • The Online CL1 module can be taken at https://elearning.bab.org.uk and takes around 4 hours, a 1day final assessment course is required when complete.
  • The CL2 and CL3 course units can be taken with a BAB Tutor or UK Coaching tutor, but are also available on https://elearning.bab.org.uk 
  • The CL2 and CL3 qualification final assessment 1 day course are  taken with BAB Coach tutor.

To apply for a final assessment days or coaching course add your details to the coaching application form on the BAB website or download a form and after it is signed by your CLO or head of Association send it to the BAB Coaching Administration Officer

New Associations Instructors must take the BAB Coach Level 1 course (CL1) coaching award within the one year from the start of their probationary period. This is a mandatory requirement.

First Aid First Aid is not a mandatory requirement. However, all Coaches carry a “Duty of Care” for all students under their supervision and the Board highly recommends that all Coaches have an externally validated HSE approved First Aid award. First Aid qualifications should be assessed, and candidates awarded a certificate of competence, not just a certificate of attendance.

Contact Information for the BAB Coaching Team

Coaching Development Officer (BAB CDO) Mr Frank Burlingham coaching@bab.org.uk

Coaching Administration Officer (BAB CAO) Mr Grev Cooke coachingadmin@bab.org.uk

The main Coaching Levels

Coach Level 1 (CL1) This award is for students intending to instruct without supervision at club level. This is a Face to Face course run over a 2 day period by BAB Tutors, more details can be found on the main BAB Website coaching page, Candidates must:

  • Be 18 years or older when registered for the course.
  • Be recommended by their Association, possess the necessary technical knowledge in Aikido, and hold a minimum grade of Aikido 1st Kyu.
  • Attend a Level 1 Coaching Training course, approved by the Board.
  • Be successful in the assessment section of the training course.

Coach Level 1 Online (CL1-1) This module is for students intending to instruct without supervision at club level. This is a 4 hour Online Module that needs 1 day final assessment by a BAB Tutor too complete the Coach Level One qualification, more details can be found on the main BAB Website coaching page, Candidates must:

  • Be 18 years or older when registered for the course.
  • Be recommended by their Association, possess the necessary technical knowledge in Aikido, and hold a minimum grade of Aikido 1st Kyu.
  • Successfully complete the online course CL1-1.
  • Provide Pre Assessment Day Course work as requested by the Assessor.
  • Be successful in the Final Assessment Day,  approved by the Board.

Coach Level 2 (CL2) This award is for coaches already holding coach level 1 who is intending to instruct without supervision at club level and beginning to engage in Coaching activity at Association level. Candidates must:

  • Be recommended by their Association and possess the necessary technical knowledge in Aikido.
  • Complete a series of five Level 2 Coach course units, approved by the Board and shown in the table below.  These can be taken Face to Face with an approved BAB  or UK Coaching tutor or Online.
  • Have held CL1 for a minimum of One year.
  • Have evidence of practical coaching for a minimum of 12 Months since receiving CL1.
  • Have been directly involved in training a number of students to 1st kyu.
  • Successfully complete pre-course work which is returned to the tutor at least 2 weeks prior to the CL2 assessment.
  • Successfully complete a one-day assessment which includes a 30 minute period of peer Coaching.

The BAB Coaching Online Learning website at https://elearning.bab.org.uk/ holds the BAB Units.

The BAB CL2 courses can be taken with either face to face (by arrangement) or online. Five units need to be taken for CL2, the four BAB units which are: ( Those marked in blue will take you directly to the course ) and One Provided by ScUK.

 
UK Coaching Units BAB Units
  Coaching Children & Young People
  Communication
  Managing Risk
  Inclusive Coaching
(Previously Coaching Disabled People)
Safeguarding & Protecting Children
The UK Coaching Face to Face or UK Coaching Online Class Room 
are acceptable to the BAB
In Scotland we accept Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport run by sportscotland
No longer delivered by the BAB

.


Final Assessment

Each theory session will last a minimum of 3 hours

An approved Coach tutor will make an assessment of coaching capability. Assessment will take place throughout the practical sessions. Each candidate will be expected to coach for a total of 30 minutes and be able to answer specific questions related to the application of the theoretical sessions.

Final Assessment Criteria: The candidate must demonstrate

• Application of coaching theory
• Use of differing teaching styles
• Effective Communication
• Safety and Duty of Care
• Lesson structure, relevance and progression
• Confidence
• Safe approach to exercise

First Aid is not a mandatory requirement. However all coaches carry a “Duty of care” for all students under their supervision and the Board highly recommends that all coaches ideally have an externally validated HSE approved First Aid award.

Coach Level 3 (CL3) This award is for experienced coaches holding coach level 2 and is working at national level within their associations. Candidates must:

  • Be recommended by their Association and possess the necessary technical knowledge in Aikido.
  • Provide a full Coaching C.V. supported by a statement from their Principal/Chairman or CLO.
  • To have evidence of practical coaching for at least 1 years since achieving coach level 2 and prior to taking coach level 3.
  • Candidates will have been directly involved in the training of a number of students to 1st Dan.
  • Complete the balance of the five required Level 3 coach courses, approved by the Board.
  • Successfully complete pre-course work which is returned to the tutor at least 2 weeks prior to the CL3 assessment.
  • Successfully complete a one-day assessment which includes a 30 minute period of peer Coaching.

 

The BAB Coaching Online Learning Site at https://elearning.bab.org.uk/ holds the BAB Units that are available.
The remaining BAB CL3 units needed to be completed may be taken with either face to face (by arrangement) or online. ( Those marked in blue will take you directly to the course )

 
BAB CL3 Units
Fit for Purpose
Equity
Mentoring Coaches
Practice Skill and Technique
Event Planning and Delivery

.

Final Assessment

An approved Coach tutor will make an assessment of coaching capability. Assessment will take place throughout practical sessions. Each candidate will be expected to coach for a total of 30 minutes and be able to answer specific questions related to the application of the theoretical sessions.

Final Assessment Criteria: The candidate must demonstrate

• Application of coaching theory
• Use of differing teaching styles
• Effective Communication
• Safety and Duty of Care
• Lesson structure, relevance and progression
• Confidence
• Safe approach to exercise

First Aid is not a mandatory requirement. However all coaches carry a “Duty of care” for all students under their supervision and the Board highly recommends that all coaches ideally have an externally validated HSE approved First Aid award.

The BAB has decided that due to the ever changing nature of safeguarding, we will no longer deliver the course ourselves although it is still a requirement for CL2
We suggest you take the following course locally to you as they are often delivered free by your local council or the online version.

UK Coaching Online Class Room

In Scotland we accept Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport run by sportscotland

In addition to the basic criteria shown above for CL1, 2 and 3 candidates may have to satisfy any specific requirements laid down by their own Association. For an in depth coaching description, please download the BAB Coaching and Club Handbook All the relevant Coaching downloads are also accessible using the table below.

Coaching
0 . Coronavirus Guidance to the BAB Membershipversion 1.114-08-2020
1. BAB Coaching and Club Handbook Version 5 March 202322-03-2023
Application for the CL1 Course5 Oct 201605-10-2016
Application for the CL2 Course5 Oct 201605-10-2016
Application for the CL2 Unit(s)5 Oct 201605-10-2016
Application for the CL3 Course5 Oct 201605-10-2016
Application for the CL3 Unit(s)5 Oct 201605-10-2016
BAB Guidance notes for Aikidoka relating to Hepatitis C and Aids06-02-2012
Coach Level 2 OutlineApril 202211-04-2022
Coach Level 3 OutlineApril 202211-04-2022
Training Venue (Dojo) Risk Assessment Proformav1.017-11-2015

BAB Coach Tutors

Philip Benge (Phil) 
        Tutor Coach Levels 1,2 and 3 (T3-7) 
        Tutor Refresher Coach (T3-6) 
Ann Denise Billett
        Tutor Event Planning and Delivery (T3-8) 
        Tutor Coach Levels 1,2 and 3 (T3-7) 
        Tutor Update Coach (T3-6) 
        Tutor Coach Level 1 (T3-1) 
Stephen Leslie Billett (Steve) 
        Tutor Event Planning and Delivery (T3-8) 
        Tutor Coach Levels 1,2 and 3 (T3-7) 
        Tutor Update Coach (T3-6) 
        Tutor Refresher Coach (T3-6) 
        Tutor Coach Level 1 (T3-1) 
Frank Burlingham
        Tutor Event Planning and Delivery (T3-8) 
        Tutor Coach Levels 1,2 and 3 (T3-7) 
        Tutor Update Coach (T3-6) 
        Tutor Mentoring (T3-5) 
        Tutor Equity (T3-3) 
        Tutor Protecting Children (T2-7) 
        Tutor Fit for Purpose (T2-6) 
        Tutor Planning for Success (T2-5) 
        Tutor Practice, Skill and Techniques (T2-4) 
        Tutor Practice, Skill and Techniques (T2-4) 
        Tutor Managing Risk (T2-3) 
        Tutor Communication (T2-2) 
        Tutor Young People (T2-1) 
Piers Cooke
        Tutor Coach Levels 1,2 and 3 (T3-7) 
        Tutor Refresher Coach (T3-6) 
        Tutor Coach Level 1 (T3-1) 
Janice Anne Hemmings
        Tutor Coach Levels 1,2 and 3 (T3-7) 
        Tutor Refresher Coach (T3-6) 
        Tutor Coach Level 1 (T3-1) 

Association Coach Tutors Level 1

[additional tutor qualifications in green]

Geoffrey Aisbitt
(Seijitsu Aikido Ryu)
        Tutor Coach Levels 1,2 and 3 (T3-7) 
Philip Benge (Phil) 
(United Traditional Aikido)
        Tutor Coach Levels 1,2 and 3 (T3-7) 
        Tutor Refresher Coach (T3-6) 
Stephen Leslie Billett (Steve) 
(Aikido Development Society)
        Tutor Event Planning and Delivery (T3-8) 
        Tutor Coach Levels 1,2 and 3 (T3-7) 
        Tutor Update Coach (T3-6) 
        Tutor Refresher Coach (T3-6) 
        Tutor Coach Level 1 (T3-1) 
Jonathan Davies
(Keitenshin Kai)
        Tutor Coach Levels 1,2 and 3 (T3-7) 
        Tutor Refresher Coach (T3-6) 
Janice Anne Hemmings
(United Kingdom Takemusu Aikido Federation)
        Tutor Coach Levels 1,2 and 3 (T3-7) 
        Tutor Refresher Coach (T3-6) 
        Tutor Coach Level 1 (T3-1) 
Sarah Williams
(Keitenshin Kai)
        Tutor Coach Levels 1,2 and 3 (T3-7) 
        Tutor Refresher Coach (T3-6) 
  • Entering Amazon from here before you purchase ensures the BAB is supported by Amazon.

  • Entering Amazon from here before you purchase ensures the BAB is supported by Amazon.

  • Entering Amazon from here before you purchase ensures the BAB is supported by Amazon.

  • Entering Amazon from here before you purchase ensures the BAB is supported by Amazon.

  • Entering Amazon from here before you purchase ensures the BAB is supported by Amazon.

Back To Top