ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on coaching practice and deals with developing a coaching philosophy and provides a process by which this can occur. It provides guidance regarding how coaches can think about structuring their coaching practice. This is achieved by drawing upon a framework promoted by the National Governing Body in rugby union, and how this is applied in practice. The book then explores the concept of athlete-centred coaching, by clearly establishing the characteristics of this approach, and how these are then applied in practice. It also discusses the process of undertaking performance analysis, considerations for growth and maturation and furthering coaches’ knowledge of developing their athletes’ psychological skills for excellence. The book focuses on the coaching of female athletes, and how coaches need to think, and subsequently act, when working with this group.
