Exploring the Decision Making Processes of Early Career Strength and Conditioning Coaches

Abstract

The role of Strength and Conditioning coaches within sporting environments is growing in importance and more attention is being directed towards acknowledging the characteristics and decision making processes of these coaches. To date, most of the research has been with experienced coaches thus created a need to better understand those coaches at the early stages of their career. The present study utilised Applied Cognitive Task Analysis to elicit knowledge from eight strength and conditioning coaches with less than three years full time experience. Methods applied identified that less experienced strength and conditioning coaches operate in predominately stable conditions and feel comfortable delivering within this stability. Interviews revealed early career coaches to prioritise movement qualities and rely on previously acquired theoretical knowledge to make predetermined decisions on training content and responses within environments. A final theme generated demonstrated that connections with athletes were important for coaches to feel confident within their role. Implications for future coach development materials exploring the use of metacognition and its associated components of planning, monitoring and evaluation discussed.