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 language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 896-905 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of Sports Sciences |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 10 |
Early online date | 10 Aug 2015 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 18 May 2016 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- systematic behavioural observation
- time-use analysis
- sports coaching
- Game Sense
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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.Profiles
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Shirley Gray
- Moray House School of Education and Sport - Senior Lecturer
- Academy of Sport
- Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences
Person: Academic: Research Active
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John Sproule
- Moray House School of Education and Sport - Personal Chair of Physical Education
- Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences
Person: Academic: Research Active