An Introduction to Sports Coaching: Connecting Theory to Practice

An Introduction to Sports Coaching provides students with an accessible and engaging guide to the scientific, social scientific, medical and pedagogical theory that underlies the practice of quality sports coaching. Now in a fully updated and revised second edition, it introduces students to the complex, messy, multi-faceted nature of coaching, and explores the full range of ‘knowledges’ which inform all successful coaching practice.

Written by a team of leading international sports coaching academics and practitioners, as well as sport scientists and social scientists, the book provides a concise guide to every key theme in sports coaching, including:

• Reflective practice
• Pedagogy
• Skill acquisition
• Psychology
• Biomechanics
• Physiology
• Sport medicine and injury
• Performance analysis
• Sociology
• History
• Philosophy
• Sport development

Each chapter makes a clear link between theory and practice, and includes discussion of real-life coaching scenarios and insights from practising international and club coaches. The book includes clear definitions of important themes and concepts, as well as seminar and review questions in each chapter designed to confirm understanding and encourage further enquiry.

No other introductory textbook explains the importance of an holistic approach to sports coaching practice. This is an essential companion to any sports coaching course.

Robyn L. Jones is a Professor of Sport and Social Theory at the Cardiff School of Sport, Cardiff Metropolitan University (UWIC), UK, and a Visiting Professor (II) at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway. He has published several books on sports coaching and pedagogy, the most recent being A Sociology of Sports Coaching (Routledge). He also serves as the General Editor of the newly launched Taylor & Francis journal Sports Coaching Review.

Kieran Kingston is a Senior Lecturer in Sport Psychology at the Cardiff School of Sport, Cardiff Metropolitan University (UWIC), UK. He received his PhD in 1999 from the University of Wales. His research interests are focused broadly on the motivational aspects of sport. Recent publications involve work on goal-setting, coach/athlete motivation, confidence, treatment efficacy/adherence and performance routines. He has provided psychological support to a variety of elite and professional sports performers since 1997.