SP6049 - Advanced Coaching Practice

What will I learn on this module?

This module will explore the pedagogical principles and practices underpinning sports coaching. Specifically, the module will focus upon the application of theoretical and evidence-based approaches to develop coaching practice. The module aims to provide students with the opportunity to build upon and apply the knowledge, skills and experiences gained at Level 4 and Level 5 to develop a critical, nuanced and theoretically informed understanding of key pedagogical principles applicable across a variety of sport coaching contexts. Weekly content will be concentrated on the interactive effects of specific coach behaviours, practice design and coach-player interactions to create coaching environments that are conducive to optimal learning, engagement and performance across different sport coaching contexts (e.g., high performance, recreation, development, special populations). The module will place particular emphasis on developing students practical coaching skills that are informed by current research.

How will I learn on this module?

This module builds upon the learning and teaching approaches adopted at Level 4 and Level 5. You will develop your ability to critically apply theory to practice through a combination of lectures, seminar activities, practical workshops, demonstrations, supervised practice and self-directed activities. This learning will be supported through access to a variety of teaching materials available on the eLP. Taught content will be both staff and student led, with an emphasis placed on your ability to practically apply theoretical and evidence-based approaches to coaching. The practical sessions will enable you to become familiar with a wide range of coaching techniques and associated seminar sessions, which will be used to critically analyse those methods and apply them to the coaching process.

You will also have the opportunity to review your own and other’s context-specific planning, delivering and coaching practice. You are strongly encouraged to engage in independent study through the provision of reading lists and topics to be covered in preparation for all taught sessions There will be the opportunity to work in smaller groups with discipline specific members of staff who will facilitate context driven discussion and learning. You will also be set independent tasks informed by key literature to complete independently, outside of class time to further develop your understanding of the taught content.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Module information, assessment requirements and expectations, and important module announcements will be made through the eLP. Material to support your learning will be uploaded on a weekly basis in advance of taught sessions. You will be provided with content verbally and guided through tasks during timetabled sessions. The Module Leader is there to support you with any queries that you may have about the module content, and all staff members will provide tutorial time outside of their teaching hours. Dedicated sessions will be scheduled into the module to enable students to raise questions regarding the assessment. In addition to formative feedback being given throughout the module, feedback will be provided via one assessment: Summative (Applied Practical Presentation), which will aid you in identifying areas of strength and areas for development. All forms of feedback and support is provided to students on a continuing basis during practical and seminar sessions. In these sessions’ case studies and scenarios of applied examples from the field and research will be examined. Directed tasks and problem solving will require students to utilise their knowledge to critically examine coaching methods and develop effective coaching strategies.

Students will receive feedback both from their peers alongside their tutors on their development throughout the module and there will be an opportunity to discuss this feedback more openly with a member of the module team during tutorials. Module tutors will provide you with the necessary information on how to arrange a tutorial. In addition, you will be able to take advantage of the University Library’s Skills Plus programme as you develop your skills as an undergraduate student. Specific tutor support and access to facilities (e.g., Sport Central, Performance Analysis suites) will be provided to enable you to develop your coaching practice and digital analytical skills. You will also have access to a discussion board (via the eLP) where support from peers and module staff can be accessed in relation to the module’s content and assessments.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge and Understanding

1. Critically analyse and apply key pedagogical principles that underpin effective practice in coaching contexts.

2. Plan and deliver effective coaching that addresses the issue highlighted within a coaching context, that is relevant to the participants needs. (please see practical information for details on the scenario’s)

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

3. Plan and deliver theoretically informed and inclusive coaching that can be applied to a range of coaching contexts and individual needs.

Personal Values Attributes

4. Critically review coaching practices and delivery methods, in relation to their impact upon participants optimal learning, participation and performance in sport.

How will I be assessed?

Component 1: Applied Presentation with subsequent viva (75%) (20 minutes).

Students will plan, deliver and evaluate an applied presentation, which will be appropriate to the level of performer they are coaching. The assessment will focus on the application of theoretical concepts to an applied situation. The applied presentation should last approximately 20 minutes (MLO’s 1, 2, 3,)

Component 2: Viva (25%) (10 mins)
Student will be asked to reflect on their coaching session and answer questions posed by the module tutor. (MLO’s 1, 4)

Formative feedback will be provided to students on a continuing basis during practical and seminar sessions. In these sessions’ case studies of applied examples from the field and research will be examined. Directed tasks and problem solving will require students to utilize their knowledge to critically examine teaching/coaching methods and develop effective coaching/teaching strategies.

Students will receive peer and tutor feedback on their efforts. Dedicated sessions will be scheduled into the module to enable students to raise questions regarding the assessment. In addition to formative feedback being given throughout the module, there will be written feedback provided at the end of the students ‘Applied Practical Presentation’ (Summative Assessment).

A whole group feedback session will also take place following the assessment, in which generic feedback is provided.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This practically applied coaching module should be viewed as the pinnacle of your sports coaching degree whereby you get an opportunity for you to showcase what you have learned throughout the course of your learning journey at Northumbria University. In the practical assessment, you will be able to demonstrate your ability to practically apply theoretical and evidence-based approaches to coaching in a manner that maximises learning, engagement and performance for participants. Throughout the duration of the module, you will advance your critical understanding of coaching through a series of learning experiences delivered by an expert team of academic staff and applied practitioners. You will be given the opportunity to coach the sport of your choice and, along with your tutor, will design and apply a lesson plan that allows you to demonstrate your ability to provide solutions to applied coaching challenges.

Course info

UCAS Code CX65

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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