ABSTRACT
This chapter presents following information on the factors that coaches should consider when they coach adult athletes, who are classified as being 18 years of age and older: andragogy: learning among adults, effects of coach behavior and antecedents of coaching behaviour. Providing adults with knowledge of their results after successful trials may have a motivational impact on learning. Researchers explored how supportive a coach is in relation to giving his or her athletes choices among adult athletes and the effects of such behavior. Other research examined the factors that influence whether a coach is supportive or controlling. Adults become motivated to learn skills when they experience needs and interests, which learning will satisfy. Coaches should provide the smallest amount of instruction as possible when teaching adult athletes a new skill. The chapter also outlines a case study that illustrates how a golf coach used an analogy to illustrate how a new skill, drawing the ball, could be taught.
