Learner-Centered Coach Education: Practical Recommendations for Coach Development Administrators

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle Paquette ◽  
Pierre Trudel
Keyword(s):  
Coach Education ◽  
Complex Needs ◽  
Empirically Supported ◽  
Critical Areas ◽  
Learner Centered ◽  
Arduous Task ◽  
Coach Development ◽  
Traditional Programs ◽  
Bridging Research And Practice ◽  
Practical Recommendations

Despite a well-established understanding of the complexity inherent to both learning and sport coaching, programs designed to educate coaches have until recently been guided by pedagogical approaches aligned with rather simplistic views of learning. Thanks to the critical and innovative efforts of coaching scholars to uncover the shortcomings of traditional programs and their guiding epistemic traditions, coach education is becoming increasingly infused with constructivist, learner-centered (LC) strategies to help meet the complex needs of coaches. Although many LC informed recommendations have been offered, rarely do they provide coach development administrators (CDAs) with concrete, practical suggestions. Furthermore, the recommendations are scattered throughout the literature, which makes an already arduous task of bridging research and practice even more difficult for CDAs. Guided by the LC literature, a practical learner-centered teaching (LCT) framework, and previous recommendations presented in the coach education literature, this Best Practices paper presents a theoretically robust and empirically supported collection of practical recommendations for CDAs to support three critical areas of LC coach education: program design, facilitation, and coach engagement.

The Evolution and Learner-Centered Status of a Coach Education Program

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle Paquette ◽  
Pierre Trudel
Keyword(s):  
Education Program ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Coach Education ◽  
Functional Equilibrium ◽  
Learner Centered ◽  
Coach Development ◽  
History Of ◽  
Educational Paradigms ◽  
Pedagogical Approaches

The history of coach education in Western countries, much like higher education, has been shaped by societal influences and external drivers. The resulting trajectory includes a notable movement and shift in focus related to educational paradigms. Being learner-centered (LC) has become a central theme and mission by many coach education programs. The purpose of this case study was twofold: to explore the evolution of the historically rich coach education program of golf in Canada, and to assess the LC status of the most recently developed context of the program using Blumberg’s (2009) framework for developing and assessing learner-centered teaching (LCT). A series of program documents and interviews with seven coach development administrators involved in the program were analyzed. Findings revealed the turbulent epistemic evolution of the program and its pedagogical approaches, as well as the combination of internal and external drivers that triggered the shift from one extreme (instructor-centered teaching) to another (LCT) until finding a functional equilibrium. Moreover, the assessment of the program confirmed its claims of being LC. Discussions are presented on leading a LC change, facilitating learning, and using the framework to assess LC coach education.

scholarly journals Learner-centered teaching in a Higher Education course: a case study with a recognized researcher in Sports Coaching

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e44910313568
Author(s):  
Heitor de Andrade Rodrigues ◽  
Vinicius Zeilmann Brasil ◽  
Michel Milistetd ◽  
Pierre Trudel
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Coach Education ◽  
Learner Centered ◽  
Coach Development ◽  
Sports Coaching ◽  
E Mail

Sport coaching researchers have provided generous recommendations on the importance of developing coach education programs based on learner-centered teaching (LCT) principles. However, empirical studies are rare, and without concrete examples, administrators and instructors will be reluctant to adopt this approach. In this case study, we used Weimer’s (2002, 2013) five dimensions of LCT to analyze (a) the perspective of a recognized researcher in the LCT coach development field, (b) his course plan and delivery strategy, and (c) the students’ perceptions of this course. A qualitative approach was used and included different tools to collect the data. The first two authors attended all the lessons, participated in all the learning activities, and took notes in a reflective journal. At the end of the semester, they conducted a semi-structured interview to get the instructor’s perspective on the LCT approach. Finally, an e-mail was sent to the students to collect their perceptions. The data were analyzed and interpreted using concept mapping, and Weimer’s five dimensions. The results showed that (a) most of the LCT dimensions were respected in the planning and delivery of the course, (b) there were times when the instructor felt uncomfortable playing a less important role, and (c) most students had positive learning experiences, although some have been taken out of their comfort zone with this new teaching approach. The article ends with a reflection on the recent impact of COVID-19 on education in Higher Education (HE).

Understanding Performance Coach Development: Perceptions About a Postgraduate Coach Education Program

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie Araya ◽  
Andrew Bennie ◽  
Donna O’Connor
Keyword(s):  
Informal Learning ◽  
Community Of Practice ◽  
Formal Learning ◽  
Coach Education ◽  
Types Of Knowledge ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
Learning Contexts ◽  
Diverse Learning ◽  
Coach Development ◽  
Semistructured Interviews

The purpose of this study was to enrich our understanding of formal coach education settings. We investigated how coaches developed knowledge during a postgraduate tertiary coach education course. We also explored coaches’ perceptions of changes they made to their coaching attitudes, behaviours, skills, and practices as a result of their studies. Semistructured interviews1were conducted with 17 performance coaches. Results revealed that coaches developed knowledge through rich learning situations that were relevant to their coaching context. Furthermore, the three types of knowledge (professional, interpersonal and intrapersonal; Côté & Gilbert, 2009) were fostered in an environment that was socially constructed through a Community of Practice. Coaches felt they were better equipped to develop athlete performance as a result of the knowledge gained through the course. The findings reinforce the importance of developing formal coach education that is learner-centred, provides diverse learning experiences, and embraces informal learning concepts when embedded in formal learning contexts.

The ‘Lieutenants’ of Coaching: How Materiality Shapes Coach Developers’ Practices

Somatechnics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-282
Author(s):  
Jordan Maclean
Keyword(s):  
Network Theory ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Children And Youth ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Cd Rom ◽  
Coach Education ◽  
Coach Development ◽  
Material Engagement ◽  
Sport Coaches

One might assume that sport coaches are experts in coaching relationally as they do, after all, have to consider how their lieutenants work together in any given practice. If true, then coach developers, who coach the coaches, might be thought of as superior experts in relational provision. If also true, then a relational inquiry into coach education programmes is necessary for conceptualising learning. But previous conceptualisations of learning have neither considered relational analyses nor viewed learning as something that is not derivative from the coach. In this article, I examine how materials participate in and the ways materiality shapes two coach developers’ practices. Methodologically, I draw inspiration from actor-network theory, which is a sociomaterial approach that focuses on the relations of humans and nonhumans in practices. Methods include the ‘interview to the double’ ( Nicolini 2009 ), followed by observations during two level one coach education programmes: children and youth. Two vignettes of cones and the CD-ROM describe how social and material relations come together and shape coach developers’ practices in surprising and unexpected ways. The coach developers grappled with their ‘educator’ role so that coaches were better prepared to articulate the materiality of practices. Based on my analysis, I conclude by making a case for a material engagement with coach development.

scholarly journals PRESENT AND FUTURE OF COACH DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND PRACTICE

2021 ◽  
pp. 218-230
Author(s):  
Michel Milistetd
Keyword(s):  
Development Research ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Coach Education ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
The Past ◽  
Coach Development ◽  
The Future ◽  
Sport Coaches

The field of sport coach development has changed considerably in the last decades and everything indicates that, in an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world (VUCA world), many other changes will take place. It seems increasingly likely that ways will have to be found to harmonize on-the-job learning with the formal coach education programs from which qualifications are derived. In an attempt to analyze the present and to address some directions for the future of sport coach development research and practice, this insight paper presents the summary of a series of conversations with one of the researchers who has greatly influenced the development of sport coaches over the past 30 years, Professor Pierre Trudel.

Coach Development: Practical Recommendations for Interscholastic Sport

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-112
Author(s):  
Pete Van Mullem ◽  
Kirk Mathias
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
The United States ◽  
Know How ◽  
Interscholastic Sport ◽  
Coach Development ◽  
Sport Coaches ◽  
Local Levels ◽  
Practical Recommendations ◽  
Research Studies

In the United States, interscholastic sport coach development occurs at the national, regional, and local levels, through higher education institutions, coaching associations, governing bodies of sport, and coach developers. Although each coach development pathway employs similar instructional methods, delivery formats, and often seeks the same outcome (i.e., certification or degree), each is unique in how they educate interscholastic coaches. Research studies on coach development have examined how interscholastic coaches learn, what they need to know, and what they need to know how to do. Furthermore, research studies in sport coaching have examined the role of a coach developer in facilitating, mentoring, and guiding coach development activities. Therefore, guided by the literature on coach development, the role of the interscholastic sport administrator as a coach developer, and insight gleaned from an exploratory descriptive study on interscholastic sport coaches, this best practices paper offers three steps the interscholastic sport administrator can implement in practice to provide ongoing coach development.

From Center Stage to the Sidelines: What Role Might Previous Athletic Experience Play in Coach Development?

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-267
Author(s):  
Travis Crickard ◽  
Diane M. Culver ◽  
Cassandra M. Seguin
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Career Advancement ◽  
Research Community ◽  
Ice Hockey ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Coach Education ◽  
Fast Tracking ◽  
Coach Development

Traditionally, playing experience in sport has been used as a springboard into the coaching profession. Specifically, playing experience has been discussed in research as facilitating the transition into early coaching roles, fast-tracking through coach education programs, and being viewed as a desirable factor in high-performance sport. However, explorations into the intricacies that make this playing experience so valuable have been minimal. Thus, this Insights article is meant to foster discussion within the coach research community regarding the role of playing experience in coaching pathways from a position perspective. This unique area of inquiry may offer insight to those concerned with coach pathways, coach development, and coach education. To promote this discussion, the following article will present some avenues through which previous playing experience could be explored. In addition, the authors will present a study that was conducted with high-performance head ice hockey coaches who formerly played goaltender and offer interesting directions for future research inquiries. Notably, the authors will consider playing experience in connection with career advancement, potential implications for hiring processes, considerations for coach education, and possible barriers to coaching opportunities.

A New Era in Sport Organizations and Coach Development in Finland

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 332-343
Author(s):  
Kirsi Hämäläinen ◽  
Minna Blomqvist
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Sport Organizations ◽  
Coach Education ◽  
New Era ◽  
Coach Development ◽  
New Learning ◽  
Strategic Goals ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Common Understanding

The purpose of this article is to describe recent actions for sport organizations and coach development in Finland. Finnish Sport organizations and systems especially in high-performance sports have been in a transition phase in recent years. The high-performance sport systems have been analyzed and reorganized and new strategic goals were set. Coach development was chosen as one of the focus areas and the leadership of coach development is at the new High Performance Unit of the Olympic Committee. There are different education paths for coaches and all the organizations which provide coach education belong to a network for coach development. This network works for developing programs, learning concepts and tools and sharing of expertise. One key idea of the development work has been to conduct systematic research among Finnish coaches to gain objective information of coaches’ needs and learning experiences. As a result of this work, the Finnish Coach Competence Model was created as a tool and for creating common understanding of coaches’ competences and for developing education programs and coaches’ assessment. Creating a new learning culture and a network have been the main steps so far and the further development for those are also the main goals in future.

Coach Development: Practical Recommendations for Collegiate Sport

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 370-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pete Van Mullem ◽  
Chris Croft
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Turnover Rate ◽  
Head Coaches ◽  
Head Coach ◽  
High Turnover ◽  
Collegiate Sport ◽  
Coach Development ◽  
Collegiate Level ◽  
Practical Recommendations

Coaching at the collegiate level requires a varied skill set in a competitive environment, where coaching positions have a high turnover rate. Preparing to work as a coach at the collegiate level is often self-driven and aligns with how coaches learn in other contexts. Research on the career progression of collegiate coaches is scant and tends to focus on gender differences or one’s desire to become a head coach. Recently, research has expanded to examine the preparation of coach developers and their role in guiding coach development activities in a variety of contexts. Therefore, guided by the literature on coach development, the role of the coach developer in collegiate sport, and insight gleaned from a descriptive study on the career path of collegiate head coaches, this best practices article offers practical recommendations for coach developers to best serve collegiate coaches along their coaching journey.

Coach Education and Learning Sources for Coaches of Masters Swimmers

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bettina Callary ◽  
Scott Rathwell ◽  
Bradley W. Young
Keyword(s):  
Adult Learning ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Coach Education ◽  
Adult Learning Principles ◽  
Coach Development ◽  
Masters Athletes ◽  
Internet Searches ◽  
Learning Principles ◽  
Coach Training

Masters Athletes (MAs; adult athletes typically over 35 years old who prepare in order to compete at levels ranging from very recreational competition to serious competition) want coaches to cater their approaches to working with adults. Using adult learning principles, we previously found that some coaches cater their approaches in ways to accommodate the manner in which adult athletes prefer to learn. The purpose of this article is to articulate swim coaches’ perceptions of how they learned to work with MAs and whether their formal coach training meets their needs related to coaching MAs. Eleven swim coaches were interviewed regarding how they learned to coach MAs, and were questioned specifically about their coach development broadly and coach education specifically. The data were thematically analyzed and results revealed six main learning sources: coaching experiences (e.g., interacting with MAs, reflection, advice from MAs, coaching youth), experience as an athlete, reading books and Internet searches, networks and mentors, formal coach education, and non-swimming experiences. Results also revealed key themes about coaches’ perceptions regarding coach education, specifically the lack of connection between coach education programs and the Masters sport context, and coaches’ interest in coach education specific to MAs.

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