Applied Coaching Research Journal Volume 1 | Page 55

APPLIED COACHING RESEARCH JOURNAL 2018, Vol. 1 The reader can easily navigate through each chapter with the opportunity to learn and reflect using worksheets to practise the mind mapping technique and set personal targets for development. An example is the mind-mapping speed test (Part 1, pp. 43-58), an activity in recalling technical/topic information within a given amount of time. This is one of several activities that lets the reader analyse personal performance and areas for improvement. In addition, the guide provides the reader with ready-made templates and vocabularies, helping the coach to apply reflective practice throughout using a theoretical basis; it includes useful frameworks/ models such as the reflective practice model (Part 4, pp. 103-107) and the Dreyfus’ skill-acquisition model (Part 2, pp. 62-77) which assesses which stage of skill acquisition the individual is at and how they are currently practising. In the final part of the resource, the reader is able to examine how the principles that they have learnt can be applied to their own players. One such example is the stages of skill development (Part 5, pp. 112-116) which helps the coach recognise what stage of learning and skill development the player is performing at, enabling the coach to provide better quality feedback to players. However, the sandwich approach to feedback (Part 5, pp.117-118) referenced in the guide may be somewhat outdated, with some critics suggesting that learners are less likely to assimilate positive comments when negative feedback is “sandwiched” in-between (Von Bergen et al, 2014). It may be useful to examine the benefits of more novel feedback approaches. Nonetheless, a particular strength of this learning resource is the un-convoluted language, encouraging tone and the non-lengthy chapters, making it an accessible resource for a variety of different coaches. Additionally, the resource can be revisited multiple times to assess progress and development. Ultimately, the resource allows the reader to gain an understanding of implementing critiquing into coaching practice and acknowledges that to become expert mistakes will be made, allowing the novice to confidently move towards better practice. References Gervis, M. and Williams, T. (2017) The Coach’s Guide to Mind Mapping. Exeter: Meyer and Meyer. Nash, C. and Sproule, J. (2011) ‘Insights into Experiences: Reflections of an Expert and Novice Coach’, International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 6 (1). Von Bergen, C.W., Bressler, M.S. and Campbell, K. (2014) ‘The sandwich feedback method: Not very tasty’, Journal of Behavioural Studies in Business, 7: 1-13. Contact Ann-Marie Bunyan – [email protected] 55