Sports coaching: a reference guide for students, coaches and competitors

 

The benefits of participating in sports and physical activity are widely acknowledged in terms of personal health and well-being, and coaching makes a key contribution to sports, helping to promote social inclusion and participation, and assisting athletes in achieving performance targets. This guide presents a detailed analysis of good coaching practice and performance, and provides a concise overview of the coaching process from a scientitic and pedagogical perspective. It covers effective coaching skill and behavior, inclusive coaching and differentation, fitness monitoring and the principles of training, the role of sports psychology, the connection between nutrition and athlete recovery, performance and notational analysis, long-term athlete development pathways, multi-skills contexts and national governing body approaches, athlete support structures, management principles in coaching, and the role of mentoring.