ABSTRACT

While being athlete-centred is identified as being integral to high quality coaching programmes, there has been a limited research focus on its practical implementation. In this study, two coach-researchers engaged in a collaborative self-study of their own coaching practices, as they facilitated athlete-centred principles during a university Gaelic football season. Collaborative self-study enabled them to discuss, critique and deepen their understanding of current practice through engagement in reflection and dialogue. The research findings suggest coaches’ and players’ previous experiences impacted their perceptions of, and engagement with, an athlete-centred approach. Maintaining a clear athlete-centred focus was challenging for the coaches within a competitive team environment. They incorporated pedagogical strategies such as questioning and discussion into their coaching practice, as they tried to facilitate learner-focused and empowering playing experiences. This research provides insights into the approaches taken by the coach-researchers as they worked towards creating an athlete-centred coaching environment based on a positive culture, affirmative pedagogies and shared learning.

摘要

以运动员为中心被认为是高质量教练计划不可或缺的组成部分，对其实际实施的研究很少。在这项研究中，两名教练研究人员对自己的教练做法进行了协作式自学，因为他们在大学盖尔足球赛季期间促进了以运动员为中心的原则。协作式的自学使他们能够通过参与反思和对话来讨论，批判和加深对当前实践的理解。研究结果表明，教练和运动员的先前经历影响了他们对以运动员为中心的方法的理解和参与。在竞争激烈的团队环境中，保持以运动员为中心的清晰注意力对于教练是充满挑战的。他们尝试将诸如提问和讨论之类的教学策略纳入他们的教练实践中，以尝试促进以学习者为中心并增强游戏体验。这项研究为教练研究人员在基于积极的文化，肯定的教学法和共享的学习创建以运动员为中心的教练环境时所采取的方法提供了见识。