|| COACHING

CLAIRE MULVENNA // EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY TOM HOUNSELL // FULHAM FC PATRICK OXENHAM // ST . MARY ’ S UNIVERSITY AND FULHAM FC

IMPORTANCE OF REFLECTION FOR COACH DEVELOPMENT

Although it is widely acknowledged that coaches develop their skills and knowledge through rehearsing and carrying out their roles , such practice does not directly lead to refinements and improvements . Practice , sadly , does not always make perfect for a coach . For learning and development to take place , coaches must engage in a process of reflection ( Gilbourne , Marshall & Knowles , 2013 ) on their behaviors , actions and communication , as well as more broadly on their role and relationships with players . So , as the cones and balls are packed away after a training session and the full-time whistle blows on a match , coach development does not cease but in some respect begins as the coach evaluates such things as “ What did I do ?”, “ How effective was it ?” and “ How did I react to what my players did ?”

Reflection is a process that facilitates and reconciles experience and knowledge , allowing coaches ( if they reflect effectively !) to understand not only what they do , but to rationalize such actions within the context in

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