Teaching Games for Understanding and Athlete-Centred Coaching

Abstract

The pedagogies chosen by sport teachers and coaches are a powerful way to influence athletes’ development and sense of themselves. Athlete-centred coaching has emerged as a humanistic approach developed to engender empowerment and agency within the player/athlete and enhance their performance by adopting a holistic approach to the athlete. The purpose of this chapter is threefold. Firstly, to explore game-based approach research and practice related to coaching and player development (e.g., game sense). Secondly, to examine and reflect on athlete-centred coaching as an approach that promotes an educative and holistic process for players’ sporting experiences. We will outline the sporting experience (i.e., sport as a form of play, the athletes and coach). Finally, to discuss the possibilities and challenges of implementing an athlete-centred approach to coaching and player development.