Reflection is an essential part of any coach's practice, as it helps to build knowledge and enhance training quality. Reflective practice can help coaches become more aware of their values and ethics, and how they shape their coaching style. It can also assist coaches in connecting their knowledge with practice, and developing better or more general solutions. Reflection can also be beneficial to the coach's athletes, as it can help to improve the relationship between coach, athlete and performance. There are several methods available to promote reflective techniques in players, such as videotaping while performing a training session, or using objective and subjective data combined with wellness questionnaires.
Coaches can also be encouraged to take part in the reflection process, possibly through questions, working on one of three levels of reflection. Much of the research on reflection relates to teaching, however, most of it can also be applied to coaching. Utilizing statistics, video analysis and conversations with teammates allows the coach to take a step back and evaluate an event. Reflective practice is a powerful tool for coaches to use in order to improve their coaching skills. It helps coaches become more aware of their values and ethics, and how they shape their coaching style.
It also helps coaches link their knowledge with practice, and develop better or more general solutions. Additionally, reflective practice can benefit the coach's athletes by improving the relationship between coach, athlete and performance. In order to maximize the benefits of reflective practice for coaches, there are several methods that can be used. Videotaping while performing a training session is one way to encourage reflective techniques in players. Additionally, objective and subjective data combined with wellness questionnaires can be used to promote reflective practices in coaches.
Finally, coaches can be encouraged to participate in the reflection process by asking questions on one of three levels of reflection. Overall, reflective practice is an invaluable tool for coaches that can help them become more aware of their values and ethics, link their knowledge with practice, develop better or more general solutions, and improve the relationship between coach, athlete and performance.
