The module focuses on the development of a critical understanding of various contemporary topics which influence effective coaching strategy and practice. Current topical areas of interest are appraised in reference to the advancements advocated by the scientific community of what effective coaching practice is proposed to be. Whilst continually acknowledging the contexts in which students coach within, pseudoscientific principles associated to coaching that are regularly accepted and which continue to be practiced without critical appraisal will be reviewed. Therefore, legitimised coaching discourses will be critically analysed and discussed to aid students’ understanding of how empirically grounded coaching theory can be used to frame overall coaching practice and shape developing coaching philosophies. Given the nature of these contemporary topics, however, these may be subject to change from year to year as knowledge of effective coaching continues to develop in conjunction with continued scholarly research.

This assessment is an individual presentation whereby you need to critically evaluate your understanding and application of a contemporary coaching topic to practice. You are required to select a topic from one which has been addressed during the module. Furthermore, you must refer to best practice of coaches as reported within the academic literature within your selected topic. The presentation should last no longer than 20 minutes in duration. This is worth 100% of the overall module grade. (LO 1 & 2)

Students will follow a guided study programme and access support material via Blackboard. Students will be required to access additional support material independently. Each activity will commence with tutor developed introductory material, using a range of formats. This material will then be followed by a series of weekly tasks that will deliver the learning outcomes of the activity. These tasks will be carried out individually, or as part of a small group using the features available on the virtual learning environment used for delivery. The assessments set within the module will allow students to demonstrate understanding and critical analysis skills via content and task related activities drawn from the module topic areas. In addition to core tasks, further additional reading, optional tasks and specific preparation for the module assessments will be required.

1. ¿Critically appraise best practice coaching approaches that are utilised by yourself and/or expert coaching practitioners, when dealing with athletes.

Knowledge and Understanding, Learning, Communication

2. Critically analyse a contemporary topic/issue affecting sports coaching/coaches.

Learning, Application

Access to an appropriate PC, with accompanying software including Office 365 (MS Teams, One-Drive, Word, PowerPoint et al.), Adobe, and Java software.

Access to appropriate reading materials, which can be accesses through the Staffordshire University library resource page for sport and Exercise.

Cassidy, T. G., Jones, R. L., & Potrac, P. A. (2015). Understanding Sports Coaching: The Pedagogical, Social and Cultural Foundations of Coaching Practice. London: Routledge.

Jones, R.L., Potrac, P., Cushion, c., & Ronglan, L.T. (Eds.) (2011) The Sociology of Sports Coaching. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.

Lyle, J. & Cushion, C. (2017). Sports Coaching Concepts: A Framework for Coaching Practice (2nd Edition). London: Routledge.

Gill, A.J.G. (2021). Foundations of Sports Coaching: Applying Theory to Practice (3rd edition). Abingdon, London: Routledge.

Sports coaching has evolved rapidly in recent years in its quest to be recognised as full profession. Yet, rhetorical statements based on pseudoscientific principles, along with poor coaching practices continue to dominate much of the coaching landscape. This module, therefore, immediately encourages you to evaluate and problematise your own coaching assumptions so that you can begin to appraise the basis for your coaching strategies and practices. The module introduces you to several contemporary topics that contribute to coaching efficacy. You are then supported in appraisal your existing knowledge and skills by critically analysing coaching practices with contemporary developments within the scholarly literature. Ultimately, this encourages you to underpin your rationale for effective coaching strategies and practices with a solid theoretical foundation.