The microstructure of coaching practice: Behaviours and activities of an elite rugby union head coach during preparation and competition

Edward Thomas Hall, Shirley Gray, John Sproule

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

The activities and behaviours of a female head coach of a national rugby union team were recorded in both training and competition, across a whole rugby season, using the newly developed Rugby Coach Activities and Behaviours Instrument (RCABI). The RCABI incorporates 24 categories of behaviour, embedded within three forms of activity (training form, TF; playing form, PF; and competitive match, CM) and seven sub-activity types. In contrast to traditional drill-based coaching, 58.5% of training time was found to have been spent in PF activities. Moreover, the proportion of PF activity increased to a peak average of 83.8% in proximity to the team’s annual international championship. Uniquely, one of the coach’s most prolific behaviours was conferring with associates (23.3%), highlighting the importance of interactions with assistant coaches, medical staff and others in shaping the coaching process. Additionally, the frequencies of key behaviours such as questioning and praise were found to vary between the different activity forms and types, raising questions about previous conceptions of effective coaching practice. The findings are discussed in the light of the Game Sense philosophy and the role of the head coach.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)896-905
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Sports Sciences
Volume34
Issue number10
Early online date10 Aug 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 May 2016

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • systematic behavioural observation
  • time-use analysis
  • sports coaching
  • Game Sense

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The microstructure of coaching practice: Behaviours and activities of an elite rugby union head coach during preparation and competition'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this