Sports coaching is a social activity. At its heart lies a complex interaction between coach and athlete played out within the context of sport, itself a socio-culturally defined set of practices. In this ground-breaking book, leading international coaching scholars and coaches argue that an understanding of sociology and social theory can help us better grasp the interactive nature of coaching and consequently assist in demystifying the mythical ‘art’ of the activity. The Sociology of Sports Coaching establishes an alternative conceptual framework from which to explore sports coaching. It firstly introduces the work of key social theorists, such as Foucault, Goffman and Bourdieu among others, before highlighting the principal themes that link the study of sociology and sports coaching, such as power, interaction, and knowledge and learning. The book also outlines and develops the connections between theory and practice by placing the work of each selected social theorist alongside contemporary views on that work from a current practicing coach. This is the first book to present a critical sociological perspective of sports coaching and, as such, it represents an important step forward in the professionalization of the discipline. It is essential reading for any serious student of sports coaching or the sociology of sport, and for any reflective practitioner looking to become a better coach.

This book introduces the fundamentals of sport sociology and social issues in sport for students of physical education (PE) and coaching. It provides an accessible, jargon-free foundation for understanding the relationships between sport, education, and wider society that puts into context the reader's applied studies in PE and coaching. Drawing on cutting-edge research, this book examines core topics in the study of sport and society, including the origins of sport, sport education, sport as business, commodification, globalisation, sport and health, sport and the media, gender, migration, and Indigenous people in sport. Throughout this book, in-depth ‘commentary’ pieces look closely at particular pieces of research that illustrate the sociological themes being examined, from the impact of sport media on school children to the effects of hegemonic masculinity in rugby. This book is invaluable reading for any course on sport and society, physical education, sports coaching, or sport development.

This book introduces the fundamentals of sport sociology and social issues in sport for students of physical education (PE) and coaching. It provides an accessible, jargon-free foundation for understanding the relationships between sport, education, and wider society that puts into context the reader's applied studies in PE and coaching. Drawing on cutting-edge research, this book examines core topics in the study of sport and society, including the origins of sport, sport education, sport as business, commodification, globalisation, sport and health, sport and the media, gender, migration, and Indigenous people in sport. Throughout this book, in-depth commentary' pieces look closely at particular pieces of research that illustrate the sociological themes being examined, from the impact of sport media on school children to the effects of hegemonic masculinity in rugby. This book is invaluable reading for any course on sport and society, physical education, sports coaching, or sport development.

Fundamentals of Sociology of Sport and Physical Activity presents information on sociology of sport to prepare readers for advanced study or practice in the field. This text explores the impact of sport in society and examines careers in sport and physical activity.

Women in many Westernized countries encounter a wider variety of career opportunities than afforded in previous decades, and the percentage of women leaders in nearly every sector is on the rise. Sport coaching, however, remains a domain where gender equity has declined or stalled, despite increasing female sport participation. The percentage of women who coach women are in the minority in most sports, and there is a near absence of women coaching men. This important new book examines why. Drawing on original multi-disciplinary research from across the globe, including first-hand accounts from practicing coaches, the book illuminates and examines the status of women in coaching, explores the complex issues they face in pursuing their careers, and suggests solutions for eliminating the barriers that impede women in coaching. Developing an innovative model of intersectionality and power constructs through which to guide research, the book covers issues including sexual identity, race, motherhood, cross-gender coaching and media coverage to give voice to women coaches from around the world. As such, Women in Sports Coaching is essential reading for serious students and scholars of sports coaching, sport sociology or anyone with an interest in gender and sport.

Sport and physical activity are embedded in our education systems and in wider society. This book takes the broadest possible look at this topic, across every key discipline and on different continents, opening up important new directions for the future development of sport and physical activity education. The book examines education in sport coaching, sport management, PE teacher training, physical activity and health promotion, and the emerging discipline of outdoor studies, considering how trends such as globalisation, digitalisation, and privatisation are having a profound impact on education programs. It identifies some of the most important societal issues that must be addressed by sport and physical activity educators, including healthy lifestyles, inequality, intercultural aspects, human rights, and emerging technologies, and looks at how sport and physical activity education in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, and Australasia is evolving to meet these challenges. Designed to invite self-reflection, to provoke debate and to open up new cross-disciplinary and international perspectives within sports organisations and higher education institutions, this book is fascinating reading for advanced students, researchers, teachers, and policy makers with an interest in sport and physical activity.

Research shapes our understanding of practice in powerful and important ways, in sports coaching as in any other discipline. This innovative study explores the philosophical foundations of sport coaching research, examining the often implicit links between research process and practice, descriptions and prescriptions. Arguing that the assumptions of traditional single-disciplinary accounts, such as those based in psychology or sociology, risk over-simplifying our understanding of coaching, this book presents an alternative framework for sports coaching research based on critical realism. The result is an embedded, relational and emergent conception of coaching practice that opens new ways of thinking about coaching knowledge. Drawing on new empirical case study research, it demonstrates vividly how a critical realist-informed approach can provide a more realistic and accountable knowledge to coaching stakeholders. This knowledge promises to have important implications for coaching, and coach education and development practices. Sport Coaching Research and Practice: Ontology, Interdisciplinarity and Critical Realism is fascinating reading for any student or researcher working in sports coaching, sport pedagogy, physical education, the philosophy or sociology of sport, or research methodology in sport and exercise.