Understanding Sports Coaching The Social, Cultural and Pedagogical Foundations of Coaching Practice By Tania Cassidy, Robyn L. Jones, Paul Potrac

Good soft-back, some creasing, 216 pages 2nd Revised edition Pub 2009

Successful sports coaching is as dependent on utilising good teaching and social practices as it is about expertise in sport skills and tactics. Understanding Sports Coaching offers an innovative introduction to the theory and practice of sports coaching, highlighting the social, cultural and pedagogical concepts underpinning good coaching practice. Now in a fully revised and updated second edition, the book explores the complex interplay between coach, athlete, coaching programme and social context, and encourages coaches to develop an open and reflective approach to their own coaching practice. It addresses key issues such as: power and the coach-athlete relationship viewing the athlete as a learner instructional methods and reflection how our view of ability informs assessment coaching philosophy and ethics. Understanding Sports Coaching also includes a full range of practical exercises and case studies designed to encourage coaches to reflect critically upon their own coaching strategies, their interpersonal skills and upon important issues in contemporary sports coaching. This book is essential reading for all students of sports coaching and for any professional coach looking to develop their coaching expertise. Table of Contents 1: 1. Reflection 2. Instructional Methods and Pedagogical Strategies 3. Quality in Coaching 4. Developing a Coaching Philosophy Section 2: 5. Learning and Development 6. "Developing" Athletes 7. Understanding Athletes' Identities Section 3: 8. The Discourse of Coaching 9. Examining Coaches' Content Knowledge 10. Assessment and Ability in Coaching Section 4 : 11. Coaching Ethics 12. Theory, Practice and Professionalism in Coaching 13. Power and the Coach-Athlete Relationship

ISBN: 0415442729