Preface
1. What is sports coaching?
2. The philosophical coach
3. A history and a herstory of sports coaching
4. Coaching as social: considering the ‘taken for granted’ in coaches’ work
5. Causes and consequences: coaches as motivated and as constructors of motivational climates
6. Athlete/player learning and coaches’ methods
7. Learning the labour: considering coaches’ learning initiatives
8. Crossing lines: considering problematic coaching behaviour(s)
9. Twelve hour days, six days a week, fifty weeks a year: considering the careers of performance coaches
References
Biography
Laura Purdy is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sport and Physical Activity at Edge Hill University, UK. Her interest in the academic field of sports coaching was fostered by her involvement as a coach and coxswain in rowing programmes ranging from novice to elite levels, including junior, adaptive and veteran. This curiosity continues to be fuelled via contributions to coaches’ CPD (Continuing Professional Development) in a range of sports and international settings. Laura’s academic work focuses on performance sporting cultures and the experiences of coaches and athletes/players who operate in these contexts.
"Laura Purdy encourages you to reflect on your coaching practice and question your current approach to sports coaching. Reviewing my coaching practice empowered me to research new coaching methods, which in turn has strengthened my coaching knowledge." - Bob Mitchell, basketball coach
