How Coaches Make Improvements in Coaching Practice

Abstract

Sport coaching involves continuous learning as coaches seek to manage the complexity of the sport environment, address the ever-changing aspects of their sport, and find more effective and efficient ways to promote athlete development and maintain a competitive advantage. Therefore, coaches regularly find themselves in situations where they need to strive for continuous learning and improvement, a core coaching responsibility in the National Standards for Sport Coaches. This article presents information on how coaches can engage in lifelong learning experiences and reflective practice to make slow and steady change to improve their coaching practice and provide an even better experience for their athletes.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author Note

Some of this content first appeared in the following blog posts or newsletters and appears in this manuscript with the copyright permission of the author:

• Gano-Overway, L. (2020 August 11). How to improve your coaching practice with SHAPE America’s National Standards for Sport Coaches. SHAPE America blog post.

• Gano-Overway, L. (2021, December 1). How am I doing? Using self-evaluation to improve coaching practice. Sport Coach America blog post.

• Gano-Overway, L. (2022). Opportunities for improvement. VHSL Coaches Corner Newsletter, 10(1), 1–2.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lori Gano-Overway

Lori Gano-Overway ([email protected]) is an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Program Director of the Coaching Education minor at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.