ABSTRACT

Sports Coaching: The Basics is an engaging and provocative introduction to sports coaching which combines coaches’ views and experiences of their work with discussions and topical issues that feature in this fast-growing field. In doing so, coaches are placed at the centre of the discussions relating to philosophical, historical, sociological, psychological and pedagogical interpretations of contemporary practice. Consequently, the book prompts questions such as: 

  • What is coaching?
  • What does it mean to be a coach?
  • How do coaches influence athletes/players?
  • How do coaches learn?
  • What is it like to be a coach?

In considering these questions, readers are encouraged to reflect upon their experiences of coaching and to start conversations with others about coaches’ work. Therefore, the book is of use for coaches, those interested in studying sports coaching, and coach educators or facilitators of coach learning initiatives.

chapter 1|16 pages

What is Sports Coaching?

chapter 2|18 pages

The philosophical coach

chapter 4|16 pages

Coaching as social

chapter 5|17 pages

Causes and consequences

coaches as motivated and as constructors of motivational climates

chapter 7|16 pages

Learning the labour

considering coaches’ learning initiatives

chapter 8|16 pages

Crossing lines

considering problematic coaching behaviour(s)

chapter 9|17 pages

Twelve hour days, six days a week, fifty weeks a year

considering the careers of performance coaches