ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book describes that athlete-centred coaching is an idea that has developed into a movement to empower athletes and foster more humanistic coaching, where athletes have more responsibility and ownership of their development and performance. It brings together leading and innovative thinkers in the field of coaching pedagogy to provide a range of perspectives on an athlete-centred coaching approach. The book focuses on the developments in theoretical perspectives, research perspectives and researcher-practitioner and practitioner involvement in athlete-centred coaching. It intends to engage undergraduate and postgraduate students in physical education and sport coaching, practicing coaches and coach educators. The book explains the Sport pedagogy research and examines the complexity of athletes. It discusses the biological diversity of athletes and how that may be catered for in an athlete-centred approach. The book addresses the conceptual, cultural, pedagogical and political challenges of using an athlete-centred approach.
