4B037E - Foundations of Coaching 01 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2032 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 4B037E
Module Title: Foundations of Coaching
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Sport
Faculty Sub Group: Sports Coaching
Module Leader: Dean Parsons
Module Team: Jonathan Jones, Melanie Tuckwell, Nathan Evans
First Intended Intake: SEP 2026 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 30 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100095 - sports coaching
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2026
Valid To 31 Aug 2032

Module Aims

  • Introduce you to the key theories, practices, and methods that underpin effective coaching. 

  • Help you develop the skills to plan, deliver, and reflect on coaching sessions that are inclusive and enjoyable for all players 

  • Support you in exploring and shaping your own coaching identity through practical experience and critical reflection 

Content Summary

This module is your first step into the world of coaching. It will give you the essential tools, knowledge, and confidence to start planning, delivering, and reflecting on coaching sessions that are inclusive, engaging, and effective. You’ll explore what shapes your coaching philosophy and motivations, and learn how to build a positive coaching environment that helps players grow - technically, tactically, and personally. Through a blend of practical activities, seminar / workshops, interactive resources, and guided reflection, you’ll begin developing your own coaching style and professional identity. 

You’ll also be introduced to reflective practice which is an important skill that will help you become a more thoughtful, adaptable, and impactful coach. Everything you do in this module is designed to prepare you for real coaching experiences and work-based learning embedded within the course. By the end, you’ll be ready to step confidently onto the pitch and into the industry with a strong foundation to build on. 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Seminar 15
Guided Study 150
Practical Classes and Workshops 40
Formative assessment 20
Summative assessment 60
Problem/Challenge based learning 16
Total Hours Selected 301

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate understanding of key concepts, methods and behaviours associated with planning, delivering and evaluating coaching sessions.
LO2 Reflect on personal coaching experiences to identify strengths, areas for development and shape a coaching philosophy/identity.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Portfolio The Coaching Portfolio provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate critical thinking, planning, and reflective skills in line with the University's emphasis on assessment as a tool for learning. This portfolio also scaffolds the development of key academic and professional writing skills that will be built upon in later modules. 0 2500 50 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Practical Assessment Practical Coursework (Onsite) Practical 25 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Portfolio
Practical Coursework (Onsite)

Reading List

Week 1: Coaching Philosophy and Motivations (4 items) 

 

Sport coaching concepts: a framework for coaching practice, by John Lyle; Chris Cushion, 2017 

 

 | Essential 

 

Understanding sports coaching: the pedagogical, social and cultural foundations of coaching practice, by Cassidy, Tania; Potrac, Paul; Rynne, Steven; Cassidy, Tania, 2023 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Excellence in coaching - in Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, by Christine S. Nash; John Sproule; Peter Horton, 2011-06 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Sports coaching: a reference guide for students, coaches and competitors, by Anita Navin, 2010 

 

 | Essential 

 

Week 2: Coaching Methods (5 items) 

 

The spectrum of sport coaching styles, by Shane Pill; Brendan SueSee; Joss Rankin; Mitch Hewitt, 2022 

 

 | Essential 

 

Athlete-centred coaching : developing decision makers, by Kidman, Lynn; Lombardo, Bennett J., 2010 

 

 | Essential 

 

Introduction to Teaching Physical Education: Principles and Strategies, by Jane M. Shimon, 2025 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Sport Coach Education, Development, and Assessment : International Perspectives., by McCarthy, Liam., 2024 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Sports coaching: a reference guide for students, coaches and competitors, by Anita Navin, 2010 

 

 | Essential 

 

Week 3:Understanding the Coaching Environment (5 items) 

 

Practical sports coaching, edited by Christine Nash, 2022 

 

 | Essential 

 

Game sense : pedagogy for performance, participation and enjoyment, by Light, Richard, 2013 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Scoreboard soccer: creating the environment to develop young players, by David Baird, 2022 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Nonlinear pedagogy in skill acquisition: an introduction, by Jia Yi Chow; K. Davids; Chris Button; Ian Renshaw, 2022 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Psychology in sports coaching: theory and practice, by Adam R. Nicholls, 2022 

 

 | Recommended 

Positive pedagogy for sport coaching, by Richard Light, 2019 

 

 | Recommended 

 

 

Week 4: Planning, Preparing & Delivering a Coaching Session (3 items) 

 

Foundations of sports coaching: applying theory to practice, by Ashley J.G. Gill, 2021 

 

 | Essential 

 

An introduction to sports coaching: connecting theory to practice, by Robyn L. Jones; Kieran Kingston, 2013 

 

 | Essential 

 

The soccer goalkeeping handbook : the essential guide for players and coaches, by Welsh, Alex, 2014 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Week 5: Engaging & Motivating Participants (7 items) 

 

Practical sports coaching, edited by Christine Nash, 2022 

 

 | Essential 

 

Effects of a Motivational Climate Intervention for Coaches on Young Athletes’ Sport Performance Anxiety - in Journal of sport & exercise psychology, by Smith, Ronald E.; Smoll, Frank L.; Cumming, Sean P., 2007-02-01 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Applied positive pedagogy in sport coaching : international cases, by Light, Richard; Light, Richard; Harvey, Stephen; Curry, Christina; Gibson, Kass; Hill, Nick; Jarrett, Kendall; Kuklick, Clayton; Paterson, Juliet; Pill, Shane; Pimenta, Ricardo; Price, Letitia; Razak, Mohammad Shah; Sup, Michael, 2021 - 2021, 2021 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Sport and exercise psychology research: from theory to practice, by Markus Raab; Paul Wylleman; Roland Seiler; Anne-Marie Elbe; Antonis Hatzigeorgiadis, 2016 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Developing and supporting athlete wellbeing : person first, athlete second, by Campbell, Natalie; Brady, Abbe; Tincknell-Smith, Alison, 2022 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Psychology in sports coaching: theory and practice, by Adam R. Nicholls, 2022 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Performance psychology: theory and practice, by Stewart Cotterill, 2017 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Week 6: Stages of Learning (5 items) 

 

Learning in sports coaching: theory and application, by Lee Nelson; Ryan Groom; Paul Potrac, 2016 

 

 | Essential 

 

Teaching sport concepts and skills : a tactical games approach, by Mitchell, Stephen A.; Oslin, Judith L.; Griffin, Linda L., 2021 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Science and soccer: developing elite performers, by A. M. Williams, 2023 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Practical sports coaching, edited by Christine Nash, 2022 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Digital technologies and learning in physical education: pedagogical cases, by Kathleen M. Armour; Ashley Casey; Victoria A. Goodyear, 2017 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Week 7: Evaluation & Reflective Practice (6 items) 

 

Becoming a sports coach, by John Lambert; James Wallis, 2016 

 

 | Essential 

 

Reflection and reflective practice discourses in coaching: a critical analysis - in Sport, Education and Society, by Christopher J. Cushion, 2018-01-02 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Understanding sports coaching: the pedagogical, social and cultural foundations of coaching practice, by Tania Cassidy; Paul Potrac; Steven Rynne; Tania Cassidy, 2023 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Sports Coaching Education and Alternative Pedagogies : Approaches in Higher Education., by Purdy, Laura.; Barker-Ruchti, Natalie., 2025 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Developing the reflective sports coach: a study exploring the processes of reflective practice within a higher education coaching programme - in Reflective practice, by Knowles, Zoe; Gilbourne, David; Borrie, Andy; Nevill, Alan, 2001-06-01 

 

 | Recommended 

 

PRIMED to Compete, by David Light Shields; Marvin Berkowitz; Pete Paciorek, 2025-8-14 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Assessment Support (4 items) 

 

The study skills book: your essential guide to university success, by Kathleen McMillan, 2021 

 

 | Recommended 

 

The complete guide to referencing and avoiding plagiarism, by Neville, Colin, 2016 

 

 | Recommended 

 

Developing a coaching portfolio: enhancing reflective practice - in Strategies, by Harry Hubball; Scott Robertson, 2004-11 

 

 | Recommended 

 

The flipped university: exploring student progression in football coaching and development - in Education + Training, by Robert Griffiths; Jay Probert; Brendan Cropley, 2018-05-23 

 

 | Recommended