The significance of this article lies in examining how sports coaches construct and negotiate the... more The significance of this article lies in examining how sports coaches construct and negotiate their professional sense making; what Goffman described as the practices engaged in to manage ‘ugly’ interpretations. Using the work of Garfinkel and Goffman, the article pays attention to coaches’ ‘ethno-methods’; that is, the background knowledge and practical competency employed in forming and maintaining social order. In doing so, the explanatory accounts of Christian, a coach and author who supported the co-construction of this work, were collected via recorded interviews over the course of a 3-month period during a competitive season. The analysis explores the procedures used to ‘achieve coherence’ in what he did. The analysis employed Garfinkel’s description of ‘artful practices’ and related concepts of ‘self repair’ to demonstrate the fundamental interactional ‘work’ done by Christian, not only to understand why he did what he did, but also how he would ‘get things done’ in future. ...
The purpose of this article is to locate the pedagogical notion of scaffolding within the field o... more The purpose of this article is to locate the pedagogical notion of scaffolding within the field of sports coaching. The aim, however, is not only to present scaffolding as a wide-ranging rhetorical concept, but as a definitive perspective by which to better manage coaching's uncertain nature. Following an introduction, a review of the development and current conceptualisation of scaffolding is undertaken, inclusive of its connection to socio-cultural theory. Subsequently, drawing on current research, examples of how and where coaching practice can be scaffolded from macro, meso and micro perspectives are presented. Finally, a reflective conclusion summarises the main points made and outlines implications for future coaching and coach education.
In recent literature, constraints-led approaches have been promoted for practice design to coache... more In recent literature, constraints-led approaches have been promoted for practice design to coaches of American football. While we agree that this approach would represent a useful tool, we put forward that ecological approaches alone are insufficient to address the complexity and diversity of real-world sporting contexts, so coaches must carefully consider how constraints-led approaches might fit within the total coaching process and associated challenges. With this in mind, this paper explores the implications and challenges of constraints-led approaches within the American football environment. In doing this, we consider the context and constraints of the game and their implications for both coaching practice and the implementation of ecological principles. To conclude, we also propose the need for pragmatic balance and consideration of approaches as part of a professional judgement and decision-making process by coaches.
Explores the lives and careers of physical education teachers from two perspectives. Firstly, tea... more Explores the lives and careers of physical education teachers from two perspectives. Firstly, teachers' life-stories illustrate how eight teachers became involved with sport, how they entered the physical education profession, why they developed particular teaching philosophies, and how they have tried to progress in their teaching careers. Secondly, a broader thematic analysis identifies issues which arise throughout the teachers' stories and locates them within the wider international research literature. Low status is identified as an enduring concern, and it is argued that this stems from a lack of empirical research into the educational outcomes which are claimed for physical education.
The significance of this article lies in examining how sports coaches construct and negotiate the... more The significance of this article lies in examining how sports coaches construct and negotiate their professional sense making; what Goffman described as the practices engaged in to manage ‘ugly’ interpretations. Using the work of Garfinkel and Goffman, the article pays attention to coaches’ ‘ethno-methods’; that is, the background knowledge and practical competency employed in forming and maintaining social order. In doing so, the explanatory accounts of Christian, a coach and author who supported the co-construction of this work, were collected via recorded interviews over the course of a 3-month period during a competitive season. The analysis explores the procedures used to ‘achieve coherence’ in what he did. The analysis employed Garfinkel’s description of ‘artful practices’ and related concepts of ‘self repair’ to demonstrate the fundamental interactional ‘work’ done by Christian, not only to understand why he did what he did, but also how he would ‘get things done’ in future. ...
The purpose of this article is to locate the pedagogical notion of scaffolding within the field o... more The purpose of this article is to locate the pedagogical notion of scaffolding within the field of sports coaching. The aim, however, is not only to present scaffolding as a wide-ranging rhetorical concept, but as a definitive perspective by which to better manage coaching's uncertain nature. Following an introduction, a review of the development and current conceptualisation of scaffolding is undertaken, inclusive of its connection to socio-cultural theory. Subsequently, drawing on current research, examples of how and where coaching practice can be scaffolded from macro, meso and micro perspectives are presented. Finally, a reflective conclusion summarises the main points made and outlines implications for future coaching and coach education.
In recent literature, constraints-led approaches have been promoted for practice design to coache... more In recent literature, constraints-led approaches have been promoted for practice design to coaches of American football. While we agree that this approach would represent a useful tool, we put forward that ecological approaches alone are insufficient to address the complexity and diversity of real-world sporting contexts, so coaches must carefully consider how constraints-led approaches might fit within the total coaching process and associated challenges. With this in mind, this paper explores the implications and challenges of constraints-led approaches within the American football environment. In doing this, we consider the context and constraints of the game and their implications for both coaching practice and the implementation of ecological principles. To conclude, we also propose the need for pragmatic balance and consideration of approaches as part of a professional judgement and decision-making process by coaches.
Explores the lives and careers of physical education teachers from two perspectives. Firstly, tea... more Explores the lives and careers of physical education teachers from two perspectives. Firstly, teachers' life-stories illustrate how eight teachers became involved with sport, how they entered the physical education profession, why they developed particular teaching philosophies, and how they have tried to progress in their teaching careers. Secondly, a broader thematic analysis identifies issues which arise throughout the teachers' stories and locates them within the wider international research literature. Low status is identified as an enduring concern, and it is argued that this stems from a lack of empirical research into the educational outcomes which are claimed for physical education.
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Papers by Robyn Jones