APPLIED COACHING RESEARCH JOURNAL 2020 , Vol . 6
Editorial
Dr Amy Whitehead
Reader in Sport Psychology and Coaching , Liverpool John Moores University
Welcome to Volume 6 of the Applied Coaching Research Journal . It is a pleasure to share with you an excellent range of peer-reviewed articles that centre on how research can be directly applied to coaching practice and development . As an academic , applied practitioner and researcher , it is great to be able to receive contributions from a wide range of coaches , academics and coach developers in this month ’ s edition .
In this volume , we have a range of research papers which consider learning designs to practise ; evaluations of current coach education ; life lessons through sport ; and how coaches can understand their own stressors and coping strategies during competition .
Dr Ollie Holt provides an evaluation of UK Coaching ’ s Coaching the Person in Front of You workshop , designed to help coaches foster a stronger connection with participants and players . Through a pre-workshop and post-workshop survey and interviews , learners reported that they had developed feelings of confidence towards providing person-centred coaching . The data from this study also provides recommendations for improvement , such as connecting learners online , providing a virtual peer network and cross-sport sharing . As a result of this research , UK Coaching is now offering a range of online classrooms to provide more coaches with person-centred CPD .
Next , we have a study by Ethan Horan and myself , which examines the stressors and coping mechanisms of football coaches , utilising Think Aloud as a novel method of data collection . Think Aloud requires coaches to verbalise their thought processes as they occur during a real-life coaching situation . The study identified key stressors experienced by coaches and subsequent coping mechanisms , and provides practical implications for future coaches . Coaches may consider employing the use of Think Aloud within their coaching practice as a reflection tool , to gain a deeper understanding around their own coaching behaviours . This in turn may help the coach recognise less favourable behaviours and improve their own coaching practice .
Craig Morris and Richard Cheetham MBE examine the impact of challenge cards used within canoe slalom . The rationale behind the creation and introduction of this resource was to consider how a non-linear approach to coaching could enhance practice design and the learning environment . This article offers practical applications for coaches through the use of challenge cards . Coaches within this study reported how the use of the challenge cards allowed for ‘ co-creation ’ of ideas with the athletes , which in turn provided a greater perceived empowerment for those being coached . Further findings linked to improved communication and decision making .
Marius Barnard provides a first-hand account of his experiences of coaching tennis . More specifically , he discusses what broader life lessons young players can learn through their participation in sport and the vital role and responsibility coaches have in helping them learn these lessons . This article provides an informative and thought-provoking case study around the development of self-belief and how it can be embedded into the coaching process . Finally , Marius suggests that coaches , parents , supporters and players should be as much concerned with building rounded human beings as with tournament winners .
Beth Thompson presents the characteristics of a high-quality learning and development environment in the context of a UK Coaching study that was conducted to understand how best to maximise the potential of people in sport . The study identified eight common characteristics of a high-quality learning and development environment : a culture of learning and improvement ; a balance of challenge and support ; a person-centred approach ; a focus on holistic development ; open , accessible and inclusive ; adaptive to individual needs ; alignment and coherence across the pathway ; and a focus on long-term development . These findings provide research informed practical applications for future coach development .
Again , it is my pleasure to be able to present to you an excellent range of thought-provoking and informative research papers , which I hope you enjoy reading and can utilise in your own coaching or coach development journey .
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