Dynamic social networks in high performance football coaching

Abstract

Background: Sports coaching is largely a social activity where engagement with athletes and support staff can enhance the experiences for all involved. This paper examines how high performance football coaches develop knowledge through their interactions with others within a social learning theory framework. Purpose: The key purpose of this study was to explore how coaches interact with others in developing their coaching knowledge within the Australian Football (soccer) context. Moreover, this project examined how to best conceptualise these interactions using social learning concepts such as communities of practice (Wenger 1998), informal knowledge networks (Allee 2000), networks of practice (Nichani and Hung 2002) and dynamic social networks (Mallett, Rossi, and Tinning 2007). Method: Six high performance football coaches were interviewed using a semi-structured schedule. The interview data, which was transcribed verbatim, was content analysed using the procedure outlined by Côté et al. (1993). Results: From the interviews three themes emerged: influence of others on learning; learning through work and play; and elite football identity. These themes were examined under the lens of social learning theory. Conclusions: The coaches in this study reported that they considered 'coaches of influence' as their most important source of information. In particular, it was the interactions with experienced football coaches who were most valued. In these interactions ideas and views about football coaching were exchanged and are best represented as a dynamic social network.