Coaching Pedagogy

This chapter identifies key pedagogical concepts informing coaching practice and subsequently player effective learning in junior and youth sport. Sport coaching is framed as an educative endeavour as it is centrally concerned with enhancing player education in movement, the technical, tactical, and physical performance aspects of a sport. As a form of teaching, pedagogy needs to be a focus for junior and youth sport coaching. The first section of the chapter considers learning theories that inform approaches to coaching. Contemporary pedagogical models subject to much of the recent research and scholarship in sport coaching will be reviewed, and the implications for children and youth sport coaching considered with respect to their motivation to continue in sport: perceived competence, enjoyment, learning, and friendships. Although contemporary coaching approaches are sometimes referred to as ‘discovery’ orientated, in this chapter a pedagogical lens is provided by The Spectrum of Teaching Styles to show that frequently they are more likely a practice style of coaching. The chapter concludes that no one coaching method can achieve all things.