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

Knowledge and Understanding; Reflection

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

Application and Problem Solving; Critical Reasoning and Collaboration.

Summative: 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 or aligns closely with it. 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 and assesses all learning outcomes of the module.

Formative: You are required to produce an annotated outline for your summative presentation. This should summarise your selected contemporary coaching topic, identify the key arguments you intend to develop, and highlight the academic literature that will inform your discussion of best-practice coaching approaches. Your outline should clearly indicate where critical appraisal and critical analysis will be applied, demonstrating how theory will be integrated with coaching practice.

Professionalisation of Sport Coaching

Coaching Philosophy

Pedagogy in Practice

Coaching as a Micro-Political Activity

Coach-Athlete Relationship

Talent Identification and Development

Coach Education and Coaching Practice

Learning Review and Professional Development

Other contemporary topics and concepts in sport coaching.

In this module, you’ll critically explore the contemporary issues that shape sport coaching today. You’ll engage with the latest research and scientific insights that inform effective coaching practice, while also challenging common myths and untested ideas that still influence the profession.

Through discussion and analysis, you’ll learn how to evaluate current coaching approaches, apply evidence-based thinking to your own practice, and recognise how different contexts affect what works in the real world. Because the coaching landscape is constantly evolving, the specific topics we cover will shift year by year, ensuring you’re always engaging with the most up-to-date and relevant developments in the field.

Students will follow a guided study programme supported by resources on Blackboard, with each topic introduced through tutor-developed materials in a variety of formats. These materials are followed by structured weekly tasks that may be completed individually or collaboratively, helping students to achieve the intended learning outcomes while engaging with peers in an interactive online environment. Independent study, including wider reading and optional extension activities, will further support the development of knowledge, critical enquiry, and self-directed learning.

Assessment tasks are designed to allow students to apply contemporary theory to practice and to demonstrate advanced critical analysis, problem-solving, and evaluation skills. Feedback is formative, constructive, and developmental, enabling students to refine their academic work while enhancing their communication and professional capabilities as critically informed practitioners.

Baghurst, T. (ed.) (2019). Coaching for Sports Performance. London: Routledge.

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

Mallett, C. and Lara-Bercial, S. (2023). Learning from Serial Winning Coaches: Caring Determination. London: Routledge.

Blackboard

Microsoft Office 365