Introduction: Taking the Spectrum of Teaching Styles to Sport Coaching

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses issues common with sport coaching, such as inconsistent use of terminology and idiosyncratic approaches to coaching, leading to misconceived pedagogical applications to coaching as teaching. It explains the philosophy of deliberate teaching and traces The Spectrum to the work of Bruner, Bloom and others to locate teaching as deliberate actions to structure the learning environment, the nature of subject matter and the style of teaching. The book then explores Convergent Discovery Style G or coaching by problem solving. It also illustrates Player Designed—Coach Supported Style I. The book explains Player Initiated—Coach Supported Style J. It then explains Player Self-Coaching Style K, where the defining feature is that the player/s assumes responsibility for both the coaching and learning decision-making. The book also examines Self-Check Style D or Coaching by Individual Programming.