Reflecting on the Development of a Conceptual Framework for Sport Coaching

Abstract

This is a retrospective account of the development of a conceptual framework for sport coaching. The framework comprises an extensive and comprehensive set of constructs and relationships that form a basis for discourse and the conduct of research, education and development. The origins of the framework are identified, within an academic field of study that was under-theorised, under-resourced and displayed ill-defined concepts. The incremental development of the framework is situated within the understanding of coaching concepts at that time. Key features of this conceptual framework are described in detail and their insinuation into the literature illustrated. An analysis of later publications demonstrates how these concepts have been further elaborated in response to a maturing field of study. Attention is drawn to the sport coaching construct as a family of roles, identification of core functions, and the contextual particularity of coaching practice and expertise. The account concludes that key concepts have impacted policy documentation and the academic debate, and the framework has acted as a reference point for academic writing and research, although more needs to be done to emphasise the importance of conceptual clarity, especially in research design and dissemination.