Critically investigating the complex, emergent (non)influence of sport coaching practice

Sport coaches have long been recognised as influential figures in the development of athletes. Despite this, evidence concerning coaching practice and its influence on others (e.g., athletes) is fragmented. Often, work in this area has produced romanticised portrayals of coaches as powerful leaders, who are able to directly control the actions of followers (e.g., athletes). Similarly, athletes have widely been cast as subservient recipients of coaching practice who (in some cases) are portrayed as being capable of either wholly conforming with or resisting the requests of coaches. As such, researchers, practitioners and other stakeholders in the coaching context are left with little clarity to inform the often subtle, dialectical and emergent realities of their work. Indeed, the extended literature review and more focused systematic review of this thesis shows that research investigating the influence of coaching practice has typically been approached from a positivist perspective, frequently portraying athletes’ experiences of and responses to practice as passive, linear, consistent and homogeneous. The dynamics of relational and emergent interaction between coaches and others therefore remain underexplored. We lack more intricate and complex causal explanations of how, when, why, and under which circumstances practice is influential (or not). Thus, the significance and novelty of the present thesis resides in its attempt to develop insights into both the intended and unintended influences of coaching practice as complex interactions between primarily structural and agential entities. A methodological bricolage of participant observation, semi-structured interviews and stimulated recall interviews was adopted to address the research questions as part of a critical realist ethnography of a representative-level cricket squad in the UK. In total, 182 hours of observational data and 46 hours of interview data were collected. Data were generated (and analysed) using the Critical Incident Technique (CIT) in order to produce retroductive and retrodictive explanation of coach (non)influence. Following emic analysis, Jones & Wallace’s (2005, 2006) theory of orchestration and Elder-Vass’ (2007, 2010a, 2012a) emergentist theory of action, norm circles and the causal power of social structures provided flexible heuristic devices to problematise, extend and develop (new) coaching theory. Findings provide novel insights into the (non)influence of coaching practice. These encompass: a) the mechanisms through which coaches influence (or not) others, b) the means through which (i.e., how, when, why, and under which circumstances) coaches orchestrate by endorsing or enforcing norms in attempt to influence others (e.g., athletes, other coaches), c) the importance of noticing (inter)action which conforms with, deviates from, endorses or enforces normative standards (on the part of both the coach and the athlete) in bringing about (non)influence, d) the means through which (i.e., how, when, why, and under which circumstances) athletes orchestrate by (simultaneously) conforming with and/or resisting attempts of (multiple) coaches to influence them. Overall then, this thesis contributes to and extends the embryonic body of work which considers the situated, temporal and unintended (multiple) influences of coach (inter)action. Further, it considers the role of both social structure and conscious reflexivity in this process. Studying the influence of coaching in this way presents stakeholders with empirically and theoretically driven accounts which better reflect the often subtle, unobtrusive and dialectical realities of (non)influence in practice. As such, findings may help to support and develop the sociological literacy of coaches and those within their relational networks. The thesis also contributes a theoretical and methodological approach which can be implemented to investigate influence within other contexts

Examining the Relationships Between Coaching Practice and Athlete “Outcomes”: A Systematic Review and Critical Realist Critique

A widely accepted role of the sport coach is to elicit positive athlete ‘outcomes’ (e.g., enhanced performance, wellbeing, confidence etc.). However, evidence concerning the relationships between coaching practice and athlete outcomes is fragmented leaving researchers and practitioners little clarity to inform their work. Through a systematic search protocol and critique conducted through the lens of critical realism, this paper provides an overview of 208 English language peer-reviewed studies investigating relationships between coaching practice and athlete outcomes, and how current approaches may facilitate or hinder our understanding. Findings indicate research has predominantly utilised quantitative, cross-sectional or correlational approaches, with limited explicit consideration of paradigmatic influences. Discourse is dominated by psychological theorising (e.g., motivation), with studies generally employing single-method research designs and engaging a singular perspective (e.g., the athlete). Thus, we have a broad understanding of some coaching practice variables that may influence athlete outcomes (i.e., the what), but lack more interpretive and causal explanations of how and why practice is influential, accounting for the inherently complex and multi-faceted nature of the coaching process. Future research directions are proposed, which it is hoped will extend our understanding of the often intricate, heterogeneous influence of coaching practice, supporting coach educators and coaches

What actually happens during a practice session? A coach’s perspective on developing and delivering practice

Despite the considerable role coaches play in the development and performance of athletes, the manner in which (i.e. how and why) they develop and implement their practice sessions is mostly unknown. The disconnect between practice and match environments within the sport of cricket makes it challenging for coaches to provide practice environments that encourage player development, are engaging, and allow for transferability. This study looked to gain insight, from the perspective of the coach, into the type of practice environments and activities that cricket coaches use and why. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten cricket coaches followed by thematic analysis to interpret the data. Cricket coaches used a mixture of Training and Playing Form activities, with net-based activities the most common. Regardless of the type of practice, the use of various specialised equipment was also prevalent. Developing game awareness and technical skill were the main practice objectives noted by coaches. Various external and internal factors were also suggested to impact on the development and implementation of practice environments. Findings provide novel insights into how and why coaches operationalise their practice (design) in ways which are perhaps incongruent with recommendations in current literature

Clustering Analyses of 300,000 Photometrically Classified Quasars--II. The Excess on Very Small Scales

We study quasar clustering on small scales, modeling clustering amplitudes using halo-driven dark matter descriptions. From 91 pairs on scales <35 kpc/h, we detect only a slight excess in quasar clustering over our best-fit large-scale model. Integrated across all redshifts, the implied quasar bias is b_Q = 4.21+/-0.98 (b_Q = 3.93+/-0.71) at ~18 kpc/h (~28 kpc/h). Our best-fit (real-space) power index is ~-2 (i.e., $\xi(r) \propto r^{-2}$), implying steeper halo profiles than currently found in simulations. Alternatively, quasar binaries with separation <35 kpc/h may trace merging galaxies, with typical dynamical merger times t_d~(610+/-260)m^{-1/2} Myr/h, for quasars of host halo mass m x 10^{12} Msolar/h. We find UVX quasars at ~28 kpc/h cluster >5 times higher at z > 2, than at z < 2, at the $2.0\sigma$ level. However, as the space density of quasars declines as z increases, an excess of quasar binaries (over expectation) at z > 2 could be consistent with reduced merger rates at z > 2 for the galaxies forming UVX quasars. Comparing our clustering at ~28 kpc/h to a \xi(r)=(r/4.8\Mpch)^{-1.53} power-law, we find an upper limit on any excess of a factor of 4.3+/-1.3, which, noting some caveats, differs from large excesses recently measured for binary quasars, at $2.2\sigma$. We speculate that binary quasar surveys that are biased to z > 2 may find inflated clustering excesses when compared to models fit at z < 2. We provide details of 111 photometrically classified quasar pairs with separations <0.1'. Spectroscopy of these pairs could significantly constrain quasar dynamics in merging galaxies.Comment: 12pages, 3 figures, 2 tables; uses amulateapj; accepted to Ap

Critically Understanding and Engaging with the (Micro)Political Dimensions of Coaches’ Work in an Advanced Undergraduate Coaching Course

In this chapter, we provide an overview of “why” and “how” we have chosen to integrate elements of Social Inquiry (SI) and Project-Based Learning (PBL) to facilitate university student-coaches’ active engagement with the (micro)political dimensions of coaching. We begin by briefly defining the concept of (micro)politics and outline why we believe this topic should occupy a more prominent place in coach education curricula than it has to date. We then introduce a hybrid approach joining PBL and SI, and describe how their combination has utility for enhancing the critical thinking and professional judgment of student-coaches. Following this, we describe how we have utilized this approach with student-coaches in a final-year undergraduate coaching module. While we believe this hybrid approach has many merits, we acknowledge that it is just one way, among many, to facilitate learning

Fear, anger, and loneliness: Emotional pain and referee attrition in English grassroots football

This interpretive study provides original insights into the socioemotional experiences that contributed to referee attrition in English grassroots football. Data were generated using an online survey (n = 251) and in-depth interviews (n = 20) with former referees. Using complementary symbolic interactionist and relational conceptualizations of identity, social interaction, and emotional pain, the analysis addressed the participants’ interpretations of their problematic encounters with the various significant others (e.g., coaches, managers, players, spectators, and administrators) that comprised their respective social networks in grassroots football. Importantly, the participants described several emotionally painful issues related to match day environments, disciplinary proceedings, and deployment and development processes that simultaneously coexisted alongside and exacerbated one another. The findings present important implications for those individuals and governing bodies who are responsible for referee retention

Assessment of the Activity of Ceftaroline Against Clinical Isolates of Penicillin-Intermediate and Penicillin-Resistant \u3cem\u3eStreptococcus pneumoniae\u3c/em\u3e with elevated MICs of Ceftaroline Using an In Vitro Pharmacodynamic Model

Objectives This study assessed the pharmacodynamics of ceftaroline against penicillin-intermediate and penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae with elevated MICs of ceftaroline using an in vitro pharmacodynamic model. Methods Nine isolates of S. pneumoniae, including one penicillin-susceptible isolate, one penicillin-intermediate isolate and seven penicillin-resistant isolates, were tested. The pharmacodynamic model was inoculated with a concentration of 1 × 106 cfu/mL and ceftaroline was dosed twice daily (at 0 and 12 h) to simulate the fCmax (maximum free concentration in serum) and t1/2 (half-life in serum) obtained after 600 mg intravenous doses every 12 h (fCmax, 16 mg/L; t1/2, 2.6 h). Ceftaroline was compared with ceftriaxone dosed once daily to simulate the fCmax and t1/2 obtained after a 1 g dose (fCmax, 18 mg/L; t1/2, 8.0 h). Samples were collected over 24 h to assess viable growth and possible changes in ceftaroline MICs over time. Results Ceftaroline fT\u3eMIC (time of free serum concentration over the MIC) of 100% (ceftaroline MICs, ≤0.5 mg/L) was bactericidal (≥3 log10 killing) against all isolates at 6 h and completely eradicated all organisms at 12 and 24 h. No bacterial regrowth occurred over the study period and no changes in ceftaroline MICs were observed. Upon ceftriaxone exposure, S. pneumoniae isolates with ceftriaxone MICs of 0.12 and 0.25 mg/L were eradicated, but isolates with ceftriaxone MICs of 1–8 mg/L resulted in initial bacterial reduction at 6 h with organism regrowth at 12 h and no reduction in organism concentration, relative to the starting inoculum, at 24 h. Conclusions Ceftaroline fT\u3eMIC of 100% (ceftaroline MICs, ≤0.5 mg/L) was bactericidal (≥3 log10 killing) and eradicated all S. pneumoniae at 12 and 24 h with no regrowth

Understanding workplace collaboration in professional rugby coaching: A dramaturgical analysis

This ethnography examined the occupational teamwork of a Head Coach and his colleagues (assistants) in the rarely accessed world of professional rugby union. Extensive field notes and participant interviews were subject to emic and etic interpretations. The heuristic framework comprised the work of both classic and contemporary dramaturgical theorists. Our analysis generated novel findings regarding the everyday strategies and tactics that underpinned the collaborative production of this team’s workplace performances. These included how a team identity was constructed and how the Head Coach pursued co-operation, envisioned and advocated for collective missions, and sustained team ventures in their rhythmical doing of organisational life. This study is among the first to provide situated insights into how team performance was productively managed, negotiated, and co-ordinated in the context of a high-performance sport workplace. The insights provided hold significance for researchers, practitioners, educators, and other stakeholders concerned with the dramaturgical demands of organisational life, and with the coherent doing of sports work by managers (head coaches) and their colleagues