Developing athlete-centred coaching in high performance field hockey

Abstract

In contrast to a behaviouristic/reductionist worldview, a social constructivist considers coaching to be messy, complex, unpredictable and non-linear. Consequently, social constructivist theories have been employed to increase sociological and pedagogical theorising in coaching to answer research questions related to the construction of the coach–athlete relationship and the factors that influence this (i.e., how coaches structure their learning environment and the pedagogies the coach utilises and what this means for the learners). It has been suggested that athlete-centred coaching is reflective of this move away from behaviouristic notions of coaching to one that is holistic and empowering for athletes. The purpose of this chapter is to investigate how elements of athlete-centred coaching are being developed in the United States of America Field Hockey National Governing Body. The chapter will draw on interviews with key members of this organisation. Ascertaining a compelling narrative of how these members of a high performance coaching system have integrated athlete-centred coaching into their philosophy and practice will enable the provision of transferable suggestions to other coaching cultures and organisations on how to cultivate an athlete-centred coaching system.