EDUC30070: Applying Coaching Science

30% Case Study: Leadership in sport 1200 words due week 6.
30% Critical review of 3 articles (400 words each) 1200 words total due week 11.
40% Case study 1500 words due end of semester.

This subject is an extension of the first year sports coaching subject, which you need to have done as a pre-requisite. The subject is split into 3 four week blocks, with Mel lecturing on Leadership, Team dynamics, and Nutrition. Maree lectures on Physiology, and Andrew lectures on Skill acquisition and some Sports Psychology. We had about 7 practical sessions throughout the semester which ran instead of the tute, and these were without a doubt the most enjoyable part of the subject. Unlike the practicals in the first year subject, there is no assessment where you have to coach a session. They are used to apply the theory that we learn in the lectures. So for Mel's block we played games and tasks that focussed on leadership and team cohesion. For Maree's pracs we participated in some fitness testing and learned some ways to train for different sports at different times of the season training different energy systems which was pretty good. For Andrew's pracs as we were applying skills, tactics and strategies, we played a heap of ball games, so these were really fun.
The other 5 tutorials we went over more theory and talked about the assessments so they were really important to attend, as they cover more of the lecture material in more detail.

I really enjoyed this subject and it was a great way to finish the degree, the workload wasn't too hard at all, and the pracs were so fun. It's a bit like physical education at school. The lecturers are all really good, and great to listen to.

The assessments may seem pretty easy and straightforward, but make sure you ask questions and really understand it before you start it because you can pick up a few good tips from the lecturers, and if you leave it to the last minute you may actually find them confusing. But once you know what you're doing and do some readings its more about getting the right material in the essays more so than writing style and ability.

The first assessment you chose a scenario where there is a team that has lost leadership or team cohesion and you have to apply theory and personal coaching experience to create a solution.
The second assessment asks you to find three articles on nutrition, physiology, and psychology that relate to your particular sport and summarise them and critically review them. It's a little bit tricky as you only have 400 words for each one.
The final assessment you have to choose a scenario where an athlete has either or a combination of a physiological, psychological, or nutritional problem and you have to create a periodised training program and action plan to get them over these issues.
If you enjoyed sports coaching in first year, you are going to really enjoy this subject, however there aren't many that do it, only had about 25-30 in the class, so that makes it a bit more fun too. Again a great subject from the Education faculty. Lecturers are really good, very helpful and approachable to ask questions.

Yes, with screen capture but it might change due to poor attendance.

Mel Nash, Maree Ellul, Andrew Slyfield.

N/A

4 out of 5

I don't think you need a text book, the one that is recommended is Sports coaching: General principles manual is only like $35 so i guess it wouldn't hurt to get it, but you don't really need it.

1 x 1hr lecture per week. 1 x 2hr tutorial/practical per week.

2015, S2.

H1 87