Coaching in the Sport Domain: Definitions and Conceptualisations

This chapter explores the definitions and meanings attached to sport coaching. It does not privilege any particular conceptualisation of sport coaching but reflects on how these should be interpreted. The chapter begins with an argument that sport coaching achieves its social significance from an association with particular forms of sport. This is followed by an acknowledgement that the term sport coaching acts as a ‘referent’ for an individual’s identity, a role or occupation, an intervention process, or the social space occupied by the individuals, institutions, behaviours and practices that constitute the purposes, actions and understandings associated with sport coaching. Emphasis is placed on the process of intervention and the need for boundary markers for the coaching process. Following an overview of different discipline-led conceptualisations, the chapter explores the implications of these and presents a personal interpretation of how coaching may be conceptualised. This adopts a pragmatic approach to the coach’s capacity to operationalise practice and embraces an optimistic view of the coach’s resources. Stress is placed on the lack of integration of differing perspectives, but it is argued that a fuller account and understanding of sport coaching emerges from an aggregation of these diverse priorities in capturing and representing sport coaching.