Coaching Principles: Inclusive Sessions and Current Position in UK Sports

This article discusses the importance of inclusive sessions in coaching principles and the current position of coaching in UK sports. It defines the term 'coach' and outlines the necessary qualifications and skills for success. The impact of international events and the establishment of UKCC on coaching as a profession is also explored.

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Coaching Principles

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Q6) Inclusive sessions and its importance in Coaching Principles
In terms of Coaching, “an inclusive coach” refers to the capacity of the trainer gives training
or education in a positive or negative manner according to the different needs of an
individual. An effective coach includes everyone in the session whether they are physically
disabled or normal person. The trainers consider all the members in their institutes and
enhance their learnings and skills towards the particular profession or sport. In any session,
the main objective of the trainer is to perform the exercise in an effective manner according
to the different needs of the people. The coach gives the chance to the members to take part
in every activity with their guidance. Similarly, in a different session of physically challenged
individuals, there will be different requirements are set according to their group capabilities1.
The coach analyses the personality of the individuals and speaks to them when they are new
in the field or academy. They ask the general questions to the normal people like “why you
are here, what their interest levels for a particular sport or activity and what support they want
from their coach”. These questions will give the idea to the coach regarding the interest level
of the student into the particular sports area. For physically disable persons the coach
motivates them in a significant manner.The coach analyzes the willpower, confidence and
physical characteristics of the trainee and make a particular plan according to their physical
and mental capacity. This attitude of the trainer makes the difference in their coaching to
handle normal and disabled persons. It is also evident from the coaching styles discuss above,
it is identified that one thing is most common to handle the physically disabled people s the
1 Incuding everyone in your sessions,[website], 2018
https://www.sportspartnershiphw.co.uk/uploads/including-everyone-in-your-sessions-4.pdf
(accessed 17th November 2018).

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effective communication at all stages2. Effective communication helps the individuals to
provide focus and belief to do the particular task.
The coach used the inclusion spectrum model that will be helpful to inform the coaches how
physically challenged individuals exist in the physical activity sessions. This model is mostly
implemented by the well-experienced coaches in their sessions. It is an important method
which is used by any trainer in their session to guide those people who have different
abilities. It is the five-stage model, which stated different activities and levels of participation
according to the distinct needs of the individuals. The main objective of this model is to
measure that what people can’t do instead of what they do. In each activity, it empowers and
encourages the participants in the session and increase the level of involvement in the
activity. This framework is appropriate for the individuals and suits the needs of everyone
and provides the opportunity to equal participation in sports and physical areas3.
2 Sports Coach, The Professionalization of Sports Coaching in the UK: (Issues and
Conceptualisation, 2017 https://e-
pace.mmu.ac.uk/92744/1/professionalisation_report_3801.pdf (accessed 17th November
2018).
3 UK Sport Coaching, 2017, http://www.uksport.gov.uk/our-work/coaching (accessed
17th November 2018).

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(Source:4)
In the first stage, it refers the open activity it indicates that the coach organized the simple
activity for all the participants with little or no changes in this activity increases the morale
boost of the trainees such as warm-ups. Similarly, in modified activity, every participant does
the same activity but there are changes in the rules, areas or equipment for the trainees. For
example, basketball for a disabled person is in a limited area and the basket of the goal is
more inclined to the ground as compared to the normal basketball court. The third stage is the
parallel activity stage, in this activity everyone doing the same task but on different levels
according to its groups, ages and physical disability. For example, netball court of the normal
people is different from a physically disabled person. In a separate activity, the coach
intentionally planned different activity according to the ability or sports needs of an
individual or group to ensure the equal participation of the members in the activities. Lastly,
population-specific activity is conduct by the coach to deliver the specific needs of the people
according to its cultural or physical requirements. Many special groups request coach to
4 Coachng In An Active Nation The Coaching Plan For England,[website], 2017
https://www.sportengland.org/media/11317/coaching-in-an-active-nation_the-coaching-plan-
for-england.pdf (accessed 17th November 2018)

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organize sessions to cater their personal needs. Example of this sport is the disability sports
activity or sessions related to the Muslim community5.
Q7) Meaning of term” Coach” and its current position in UK sports
Coach refers that the person who gives the direction strength, training and guidance to the
individuals which involved in any sports or physical activity. The coach is the teacher who
motivates the sportsman to polish their skills by giving appropriate coaching according to the
capacities of individuals. It also recognizes the strengths and weaknesses of individuals and
delivers the best plan for them to enhance its qualities so they show their best performance in
the field of a particular sport. The main objective of the coach is to help children and adults to
realize their potential through effective advice, encouragement and motivation. In the UK, an
individual needs to have a coaching qualification from the National Governing Body (NGB)
in any sport. It can be obtained through directly from NGB sports academy or it is the part of
the part of the college or university course that includes coaching. An individual should have
completed the degree from any sports discipline i.e. Archery, Athletics, Badminton,
Bobsleigh and Boccia. Apart from the physical qualifications, there are other skills set which
is important for the Coach to become successful in its coaching areas are the good
relationship with their trainees. They have the ability to develop strong relationships with
people from diverse backgrounds and have the capacity to manage the different levels of
sports ability. They have the desire and willingness to help or succeed other people6. They
have a sense of belonging and excellent communication skills and team handling skills in
complex situations. High level of patience, enthusiasm and flexibility is important to become
a successful coach. They have the core knowledge of its particular sport and awareness of
diversity and equality issues which includes sport and disability. Lastly, the strong
motivational skills are required to understand the psychology that underpins successful
competition at senior coach position.
5 Chasing Mavericks, State of the Coaching Nation, [website], 2018,
https://dairmagazine.com/state-coaching-nation/ (accessed 17th November 2018)
6 Coachng In An Active Nation The Coaching Plan For England,[website], 2017
https://www.sportengland.org/media/11317/coaching-in-an-active-nation_the-coaching-plan-
for-england.pdf (accessed 17th November 2018)

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As per the review of the sports journal of UK, it is analyzed that the current State of the UK
Sport is analyzed that coaching is an important factor in the improvement in performance in
the UK. Apart from coaching, the other areas like sports science, medicine, performance
innovation and research play a crucial role to become successful Athletes in the country. The
UK sports coaching authorities search for the delivery of quality coaching. Below given
figures clearly indicates the scale of coach audience is important for the country in every area
and it also shows that how many individuals received the coaching in the last 12 months. This
data reflected the individuals received coaching that is given by the coach7.
( Source:8)
In the above-given figure, it is identified that 3.1 Million Adults received the coaching in the
last 12 months. In which 11.4 million (1/4 of adults) received a coaching in once a lifetime.
Similarly, the second figure from the top left shows that only 6.2 million adults get the
training in last 12 months and a total of 23 million(1/2 of adults) received a coaching in their
lifetime. Moreover, the third figure indicated that 3.3 million children get the training every
year .7.6 million coaches participated per week.66% of experienced coach delivered training
in a sports club. The most important figure in the right corner from the top indicated that 37%
of the participants from the BAME community that take part in sports like Black, Asian, and
7 Bridge MW, Toms MR. ‘The specialising or sampling debate: a retrospective
analysis of adolescent sports participation in the UK’. Journal of sports sciences vol. 31,
no.1, 2013,p. 87-96.
8 Bridge MW, Toms MR. ‘The specialising or sampling debate: a retrospective analysis of
adolescent sports participation in the UK’. Journal of sports sciences vol. 31, no.1, 2013,p.
87-96.

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Minority Ethnic (BAME)9. It is identified from this figure that a number of bruisers are very
low in coaching and sports. Furthermore, 31% of the women participate in the sports and
17% of the coaches are female they have the qualification from NGB. Lastly, it is also
analyzed that 2% of the coaches who are disabled and got the degree of coaching since 2009.
There is a shortage of good quality data of the Bisexual, Transgender, Gay and Lesbian
coaches. It is observed that the negative attitude of the people and their perception prevents
these people to engage in coaching profiles.
In the UK there are many reasons like cultural factors, the establishment of UKCC and
various international events that enable the country to establish coaching itself as a profession
in the UK. The sports coaching are developed through their traditions and historical
perspectives. Most of the individuals who deliberately give the training and instruction to the
students and generally they were known as “professors”. After that, they transfer their
knowledge to other persons and they become athletes and that skills expand into different
geographical areas. Similarly, the international events like the increased number of
participants, Olympics events, employers, international structures; athletes and shifting nature
of market demands create the professional coaches. Moreover, Olympics and Paraolympics
games in 2012 are the evidence to sharpen the focus for the recruitment of the coaches. It
creates the needs of the coaches in the future that will create a professionalism in this area.10.
9 Nelson, L., Cushion, C. and Potrac, P., ‘Enhancing the provision of coach education: the
recommendations of UK coaching practitioners’, Physical Education and Sport
Pedagogy, Vol 18 no. 2, 2013, p.204-218.
10 Piper, H., Taylor, B. and Garratt, D, ‘Sports coaching in risk society: No touch! No
trust!’ Sport, education and society, vol 17 no 3, 2012, pp.331-345.

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References
Bridge MW, Toms MR. ‘The specialising or sampling debate: a retrospective analysis of
adolescent sports participation in the UK’. Journal of sports sciences vol. 31, no.1, 2013,p.
87-96.
Chasing Mavericks, State of the Coaching Nation, [website], 2018,
https://dairmagazine.com/state-coaching-nation/ (accessed 17th November 2018)
Incuding everyone in your sessions,[website], 2018
https://www.sportspartnershiphw.co.uk/uploads/including-everyone-in-your-sessions-4.pdf
(accessed 17th November 2018).
Nelson, L., Cushion, C. and Potrac, P., ‘Enhancing the provision of coach education: the
recommendations of UK coaching practitioners’, Physical Education and Sport
Pedagogy, Vol 18 no. 2, 2013, p.204-218.
Piper, H., Taylor, B. and Garratt, D, ‘Sports coaching in risk society: No touch! No trust!’
Sport, education and society, vol 17 no 3, 2012, pp.331-345.
Coachng In An Active Nation The Coaching Plan For England,[website], 2017
https://www.sportengland.org/media/11317/coaching-in-an-active-nation_the-coaching-plan-
for-england.pdf (accessed 17th November 2018)
Sports Coach, The Professionalization of Sports Coaching in the UK: (Issues and
Conceptualisation, 2017
https://e-space.mmu.ac.uk/92744/1/professionalisation_report_3801.pdf (accessed 17th
November 2018).
UK Sport Coaching, 2017, http://www.uksport.gov.uk/our-work/coaching (accessed 17th
November 2018).

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