Class Structure and Athlete Experience
What this domain tests
Class Structure and Athlete Experience tests the operational side of coaching: planning a class that fits the time, briefing standards and scaling clearly, managing transitions, coaching a mixed-level group, and leaving athletes with a coherent experience.
A workable class template
- Pre-class: review the plan, equipment, and athlete needs.
- General warm-up: raise heart rate and mobilize.
- Specific warm-up: rehearse the movements and positions in the workout.
- Skill or strength segment: teach or practice with focused feedback.
- WOD briefing: standards, stimulus, time cap, scaling options, safety notes.
- WOD execution: coach the group, not just one athlete.
- Debrief: results, cool-down, and what comes next.
Group management
Write both a big-picture goal and a minute-by-minute plan. Start and finish on time. Give instructions once, clearly, and demonstrate standards. During the workout, scan the room; prioritize safety, then stimulus, then individual technique. Use names, make scaling normal, and avoid coaching only the fittest athletes.
Worked example
A 60-minute class with 12 mixed-level athletes and a 12-minute AMRAP of 10 pull-ups, 15 kettlebell swings, and 20 box jumps. Plan: 0–5 welcome and overview; 5–15 general warm-up; 15–25 specific warm-up and pull-up scaling practice; 25–35 strength/skill; 35–40 WOD brief with banded pull-up, ring-row, and box-height options; 40–52 AMRAP; 52–60 debrief. Reasoning: the brief must happen before athletes are tired, and the scaling options must be demonstrated, not just named. The debrief is short but protects the athlete experience and sets up the next class.
Traps that cost marks
- Letting the briefing run long and cutting the warm-up.
- Failing to state movement standards.
- Coaching only the front row or the most advanced athletes.
- Ignoring athletes who need a scaling option.
- Running over time with no debrief.
- Planning a class that does not match the equipment available.