ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the account of the role of coaches of children, emerging athletes, performance athletes, and high-performance athletes through a consideration of what the context involves, the nature of the coach-athlete relationship, and how coaches develop their craft. Coaches are considered the key actors in the delivery of instruction to participants in a range of sporting contexts. The International Council for Coaching Excellence has underscored the importance of having expert coaches work with children due to the inherent complexity associated with development and context. High-performance athletes are highly committed to a long-term and intensive program of preparation. The professionalization of the vocation of sport coaching necessitates the ongoing learning of coaches through guidance from knowledgeable others and self-reflection to contribute to their becoming an expert. The athlete relies upon the coach to support and guide his/her development while navigating the many tensions and challenges that exist in high-performance sport.
