Coaching and Pedagogy Research Group: Publications
Publication Spotlight
Understanding elite rugby players’ experience of collision, effective contact coaching techniques, and player contact psychology: A focus group study
Andrew J Dixon, Martin A Littlewood, Colum Cronin, Craig Twist and Graeme L Close
The current study performed a series of online focus groups to understand elite rugby league players' experiences of collision. Eighteen rugby league players comprising different playing positions from four teams were recruited to participate in a series of online focus groups, via the Microsoft Team's platform, facilitated by a moderator. Players were competing in Europe's elite rugby league competition, the European Super League (ESL), during the 2021 season. All focus group data were transcribed, coded and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis guide to ensure robust exploring, interpreting and reporting through pattern-based analysis. The findings are split into five key themes: 1) the three-man tackle - the perceived optimal defensive strategy with simultaneous contact, 2) not all collisions are the same; matchplay events change the collision intensity, 3) bracing and blindsiding - two factors that influence experiences of collision and concussion, 4) coaching philosophies and orientations, 5) psychological readiness for collision. Collision sports have an inherent risk of injury; however, in some players' subjective experiences, there are collision types that have a greater association with risk or intensity (blind-sided collisions or long closing distances). It is essential that future research comprehends the effects of these collision types and the further themes.
“It’s just been learning on the job”: becoming and developing as a ParaHockey coach
Amy Elizabeth Hardwick, Tabo Huntley, Anthony Maher and Amy Whitehead
This study foregrounds the experiences and opinions of ParaHockey coaches in becoming and learning to coach in this context. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with eight coaches and two staff from the International Hockey Federation (FIH). Through analysis, two categories were constructed; 1) Becoming a ParaHockey Coach and 2) Developing as a ParaHockey Coach, which are discussed in light of Models of disability. The study concludes by advocating for integration of disability within FIH coach education provision and the value in utilising the social-relational model of disability to make sense of coaches’ experiences.
Read “It’s just been learning on the job”: becoming and developing as a ParaHockey coach.
‘Smile more’: women’s experiences of sexism while working in sport from a socio-ecological perspective
Kristin L. McGinty-Minister, Laura Swettenham, Francesca M. Champ and Amy E. Whitehead
Reports of sexism in sport are ever-growing despite the potential for sexism to impact the well-being of everyone. Relatively little research has investigated this phenomenon, meaning we do not have a clear picture of women’s experiences and are far from implementing relevant solutions. We explored women’s experiences of sexism while working in sport to gain an understanding of how multiple ecological layers intertwine to influence these experiences. Survey data analysed using LaVoi and Dutove’s ecological model demonstrated evidence of sexism at all levels of the ecological model; it is imperative for organisations and policymakers must consider the social and personal change necessary for women working in sport.
Provocative, disruptive and re-orientating approaches to sports coaching research
Alexandra Consterdine
This paper originates from my personal struggles and dissatisfaction with the unproblematic treatment of methodologies, politics, and procedures of doing sports coaching research. In response, I offer a radical counternarrative where I apply disruptive and unorthodox guiding principles of postmodern thought and approaches to fieldwork, analysis, and writing. Although uncommon in sports coaching research, I present these approaches as a valuable set of orientating principles that influences my thinking and encourages a rigorous reflexivity in considering novel ways to view both the research process, and the process of knowledge creation.
Read Provocative, disruptive and re-orientating approaches to sports coaching research.