COACHING
Contemporary Coaching Strategies
Through the Lens of Curriculum Studies
John S . Murphy // United Soccer Coaches National Staff Coach
INTRODUCTION
“ Always do right . This will gratify some people and astonish the rest .” — Mark Twain
After eight weeks of the EUROs , the South American championships and the Olympics , we all can agree that it was an amazing summer of soccer . After the final whistle blows , it is a great time for students of soccer to utilize formal sources ( technical reports , match analysis and research articles ) and informal settings ( chat groups , attendance at live events or the trusty sports bar ) to discuss new tactical trends as well as pore over studies of the impact of sports psychology and sports science . But how often do we analyze our human interaction and ultimate impact on the players under our care ? Moreover , why are so few prominent voices in our field driving this professional query outside of a research forum ?
Perhaps it is time for a layperson ’ s opinion to be shared in Soccer Journal for no other reason than to take a quick pause and inventory of where we are as a collective body of coaches and educators . There is so much to be excited about in our game now at every level . But remember that some will see the 2026 World Cup on our soil as the pinnacle of soccer in the U . S . I prefer to look at this upcoming event as a springboard to something even better for all of us in this game . But can we take advantage of this moment ? Sadly , our society is in an age where words can control us . We can be negatively triggered by an utterance that may mean something positive to someone else . So why does a word set us off ? Does it represent something that we need to scrutinize about ourselves first ? So , with that in mind , let ’ s look inward . What we say and what we do is paramount in connecting with individuals , and our players deserve the best versions of ourselves — EVERY TIME .
Currently , I am at a unique point in my life . I am not coaching a team full time but am in the dissertation phase of a Doctor of Education degree in the Curriculum Studies program at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro , Georgia . Curriculum Studies ( CS ) is an educational track that focuses on five critical areas : the history of American education ; power and schooling ; advanced curriculum theory ; philosophy of education ; and inquiry and development of educational practice . So , I am using this professional sabbatical to collect my thoughts and evaluate my own body of work through these academic efforts . Furthermore , I am also taking a wider view of our profession , the corresponding educational and professional development vehicles , where we are now , and where we could go by 2026 and beyond . I believe that exciting concepts and theoretical frameworks can be implemented with coaching and coach education through the concepts of CS . I hope to touch upon some of them briefly .
HISTORICAL IMPACT OF COACHING
American sports at all levels of participation have traditionally been held up as an ideal of fairness and social inclusion , with plenty of mainstream examples to reinforce these sentiments . However , when unchecked , sports can morph into a strict meritocracy that excludes underrepresented groups and underserved areas . Historically , the coach within the community has been seen as an extension of the overall societal structure . Their job was to be a positive role model regarding being a good citizen , following the rules ( laws ), having respect for authority ( government , police , clergy , teachers ), and teaching the young people what it took to be a winner . However , Jones believes that “ the degree of ambiguity or uncertainty that is inherent in sports coaching contributes to its problematic nature ” ( Jones and Wallace , 2005 ) ( Jones , 2006 , p . 55 ). The gaps that occur between the structure of an organization , its overall goals , and decisions and actions by key stakeholders impact coaching and , ultimately , young people .
Therefore , it is important to see where tenants of CS and the profession can positively synergize . First , in relation to inquiry and development of educational practice , exemplar coaches excel in their ability to utilize their own emotional intelligence to engage and motivate others . Hartley and colleagues have established specific dimensions for coaching 1 . Personal skills ; 2 .
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