Reflexive practice of coaching in physical training of the women’s collegiate volleyball team

Abstract

    The purpose of this study is to forward the reflective practice research in which the researcher carefully examines the processes of myself practice as a coach of a female volleyball team at a university, thereby providing practical wisdom that can be usefully applied to coaching in physical training for volleyball players. The subject is the researcher myself as the Agent who coaches the team that is examined in this study. The results of a reflective analysis of the Agent's coaching journal as qualitative descriptive data emphasized the following ideas and actions as necessary for a coach to maximize the effects of a team's physical fitness training. 1) It is important for a coach to grasp the team policies and the head coach's intentions and beliefs in order to reflect them in coaching practices, for which coach must improve communication with other staff members and establish a common understanding. 2) It is important for coaching practices to offering training prescriptions regarding, for instance, frequency and intensity of physical exercises. In addition 3) It is also important for coaching practices to improve the unquantifiable elements of players' performance, such as their motivations and approaches. Ultimately, the study's findings indicate that, as novice coach undergoes the process of acquiring and developing professional skills, it is important to strive to create more effective practices. This can be achieved by establishing cooperative relationships with other team staff members and asking them for coaching advice, in addition to continuously recording, reflecting, and improving my daily coaching practices.