Robyn Jones | Cardiff Metropolitan University (original) (raw)
Papers by Robyn Jones
Sport, Education and Society, 2022
We know that coach education programmes continue to be criticized for their largely didactic meth... more We know that coach education programmes continue to be criticized for their largely didactic methods of delivery and rather superficial engagement with the complex reality of practice and we understand that innovative approaches in coach education pedagogy means moving somewhat away from the competencies based approach and it has been increasingly argued that the aim of coach education should be to develop in practitioners a 'quality of mind' so that they are better equipped to deal with the problematic and dynamic nature of their work. The skills of coach educators in facilitating the learning of student coaches are crucial to the effectiveness of the pedagogies. Coach educators, therefore, must be committed to the approaches outlined in this article and invest the time and work necessary to learning new skills if they are to be successfully implemented. We found that teaching in this way resulted in a raised degree of responsibility on behalf of the tutors, not so much in ...
Routledge Handbook of Sports Coaching, 2012
Sports Coaching Review
In recent literature, constraints-led approaches have been promoted for practice design to coache... more In recent literature, constraints-led approaches have been promoted for practice design to coaches of American football. While we agree that this approach would represent a useful tool, we put forward that ecological approaches alone are insufficient to address the complexity and diversity of real-world sporting contexts, so coaches must carefully consider how constraints-led approaches might fit within the total coaching process and associated challenges. With this in mind, this paper explores the implications and challenges of constraints-led approaches within the American football environment. In doing this, we consider the context and constraints of the game and their implications for both coaching practice and the implementation of ecological principles. To conclude, we also propose the need for pragmatic balance and consideration of approaches as part of a professional judgement and decision-making process by coaches.
Sociological Research Online, 2022
The significance of this article lies in examining how sports coaches construct and negotiate the... more The significance of this article lies in examining how sports coaches construct and negotiate their professional sense making; what Goffman described as the practices engaged in to manage ‘ugly’ interpretations. Using the work of Garfinkel and Goffman, the article pays attention to coaches’ ‘ethno-methods’; that is, the background knowledge and practical competency employed in forming and maintaining social order. In doing so, the explanatory accounts of Christian, a coach and author who supported the co-construction of this work, were collected via recorded interviews over the course of a 3-month period during a competitive season. The analysis explores the procedures used to ‘achieve coherence’ in what he did. The analysis employed Garfinkel’s description of ‘artful practices’ and related concepts of ‘self repair’ to demonstrate the fundamental interactional ‘work’ done by Christian, not only to understand why he did what he did, but also how he would ‘get things done’ in future. ...
The Sociology of Sports Coaching, 2010
A principal purpose of this text was to provide an insight into the social nature of coaching, in... more A principal purpose of this text was to provide an insight into the social nature of coaching, inclusive of such notions as power, interaction, structure and agency. A base point to highlight was that what we need to know about coaching is rich, complex and diverse. A second aim was to encourage a healthy suspicion of rather simplified a-theoretical explanations of coaching that do not take heed of such social complexity. Echoing Stones (1998a), the more one looks at the varied insights offered by thinkers such as Goffman, Foucault, Bourdieu and others, the more one realises that there is much to know about coaching that cannot be contained in sound bites and ‘chat-show’ logic. We should not (and in any real sense cannot) forcibly simplify the complexity: for example, by assuming functional relations exist (or should exist) among various groups or individuals (Guilianotti, 2005), or skipping over such notions as ‘social skills’ and ‘communication’ as if they are self-explanatory. Similarly, just developing a literal grasp of the theories presented is not enough. The point here is not to make ‘accuracy a virtue’ (Housman, 1937). That would be like ‘praising an architect for using wellseasoned timber or properly mixed concrete in his [sic] building. It is a necessary condition of his work, but not his essential function’ (Carr, 1961: 11). In coaching terms, such a perspective would privilege the precision of communicative behaviours over the quality of communicative interaction (Pineau, 1994). Alternatively, through this book, we advocate a critical understanding of coaching that challenges instrumental reasoning.
Sociological Research Online, 2018
The primary purpose of this article was to investigate the use and manifestation of humour within... more The primary purpose of this article was to investigate the use and manifestation of humour within sports coaching. This was particularly in light of the social significance of humour as a critical component in cultural creation and negotiation. Data were gathered from a 10-month ethnographic study that tracked the players and coaches of Senghenydd City Football Club (a pseudonym) over the course of a full season. Precise methods of data collection included participant observation, reflective personal field notes, and ethnographic film. The results demonstrated the dominating presence of both ‘inclusionary putdowns’ and ‘disciplinary humour’, particularly in relation to how they contributed to the production and maintenance of the social order. Finally, a reflective conclusion discusses the temporal nature of the collective understanding evident among the group at Senghenydd, and its effect on the humour evident. In doing so, the work contributes to the body of knowledge regarding th...
Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 1998
The purpose of the study was to compare the televised depictions and portrayals of male and femal... more The purpose of the study was to compare the televised depictions and portrayals of male and female athletes who partook in the so-called ‘masculine’ events of the marathon, shot-put and discus at the 5th World Athletics Championships in 1995. Both commentary and modes of production were analyzed in order to ascertain if women were treated equally in terms of the above modes of presentation when participating in physically challenging events that defy traditional and stereotypical notions of femininity.Based upon the results, not only were the men’s events given greater air time, but the quality of the commentary and modes of production also favored the men’s events when compared with their female counterparts. Thus, commentators frequently framed the female athletes’ accomplishments in terms of traditional notions of femininity, through the use of negative, condescending and ambivalent descriptors and a gendered hierarchy of naming.
Sociology of Sport Journal, 1996
This study investigates racial trends, in terms of participation and integration, in the highest ... more This study investigates racial trends, in terms of participation and integration, in the highest levels of English professional basketball A longitudinal approach is utilized whereby the facial and international compositions of teams and coaching staffs who comprised the First Division of the English National Basketball League during the period 1977-1994 are examined. The findings demonstrate that although a substantial increase in the number of Blacks, and more specifically black Britons, who played the game at the highest level in England took place during the set time period, no evidence of racial discrimination, as demonstrated through “stacking,” exists. It is hypothesized, however, that racism within English basketball is alternatively manifest through numerous social dynamics particular to the English context that are responsible for the predominance of black athletes within the sport. These developments, in turn, are interlinked with the wider global processes of commerciali...
Sports Coaching Review, 2015
The purpose of this article is to locate the pedagogical notion of scaffolding within the field o... more The purpose of this article is to locate the pedagogical notion of scaffolding within the field of sports coaching. The aim, however, is not only to present scaffolding as a wide-ranging rhetorical concept, but as a definitive perspective by which to better manage coaching's uncertain nature. Following an introduction, a review of the development and current conceptualisation of scaffolding is undertaken, inclusive of its connection to socio-cultural theory. Subsequently, drawing on current research, examples of how and where coaching practice can be scaffolded from macro, meso and micro perspectives are presented. Finally, a reflective conclusion summarises the main points made and outlines implications for future coaching and coach education.
Sports Coaching Review, 2014
Qualitative Inquiry, 2011
Within this article, the author presents a personal story, “Leaving,” which highlights the proble... more Within this article, the author presents a personal story, “Leaving,” which highlights the problematic experience of opposing established practice. The tale tells of the difficulty faced by creative agency when confronted by a constraining structural hegemony. Specifically, it draws attention to the professionalization of academic life through a cult of managerialism. Although the narrative is presented without extensive framing theory allowing multiple readings, the task is sociological as opposed to literary. Consequently, following the story, a discussion of its purpose, and a rationale for engaging in creative writing as a form of academic representation, two possible, though connected, theoretical sense-making lenses are offered: Foucault’s concept of the “discourse of right” through which power is both created and exercised, and Habermas’s cautionary note related to the power of systematic rationality to usurp the human “lifeworld.”
Sport, Education and Society, 2022
We know that coach education programmes continue to be criticized for their largely didactic meth... more We know that coach education programmes continue to be criticized for their largely didactic methods of delivery and rather superficial engagement with the complex reality of practice and we understand that innovative approaches in coach education pedagogy means moving somewhat away from the competencies based approach and it has been increasingly argued that the aim of coach education should be to develop in practitioners a 'quality of mind' so that they are better equipped to deal with the problematic and dynamic nature of their work. The skills of coach educators in facilitating the learning of student coaches are crucial to the effectiveness of the pedagogies. Coach educators, therefore, must be committed to the approaches outlined in this article and invest the time and work necessary to learning new skills if they are to be successfully implemented. We found that teaching in this way resulted in a raised degree of responsibility on behalf of the tutors, not so much in ...
Routledge Handbook of Sports Coaching, 2012
Sports Coaching Review
In recent literature, constraints-led approaches have been promoted for practice design to coache... more In recent literature, constraints-led approaches have been promoted for practice design to coaches of American football. While we agree that this approach would represent a useful tool, we put forward that ecological approaches alone are insufficient to address the complexity and diversity of real-world sporting contexts, so coaches must carefully consider how constraints-led approaches might fit within the total coaching process and associated challenges. With this in mind, this paper explores the implications and challenges of constraints-led approaches within the American football environment. In doing this, we consider the context and constraints of the game and their implications for both coaching practice and the implementation of ecological principles. To conclude, we also propose the need for pragmatic balance and consideration of approaches as part of a professional judgement and decision-making process by coaches.
Sociological Research Online, 2022
The significance of this article lies in examining how sports coaches construct and negotiate the... more The significance of this article lies in examining how sports coaches construct and negotiate their professional sense making; what Goffman described as the practices engaged in to manage ‘ugly’ interpretations. Using the work of Garfinkel and Goffman, the article pays attention to coaches’ ‘ethno-methods’; that is, the background knowledge and practical competency employed in forming and maintaining social order. In doing so, the explanatory accounts of Christian, a coach and author who supported the co-construction of this work, were collected via recorded interviews over the course of a 3-month period during a competitive season. The analysis explores the procedures used to ‘achieve coherence’ in what he did. The analysis employed Garfinkel’s description of ‘artful practices’ and related concepts of ‘self repair’ to demonstrate the fundamental interactional ‘work’ done by Christian, not only to understand why he did what he did, but also how he would ‘get things done’ in future. ...
The Sociology of Sports Coaching, 2010
A principal purpose of this text was to provide an insight into the social nature of coaching, in... more A principal purpose of this text was to provide an insight into the social nature of coaching, inclusive of such notions as power, interaction, structure and agency. A base point to highlight was that what we need to know about coaching is rich, complex and diverse. A second aim was to encourage a healthy suspicion of rather simplified a-theoretical explanations of coaching that do not take heed of such social complexity. Echoing Stones (1998a), the more one looks at the varied insights offered by thinkers such as Goffman, Foucault, Bourdieu and others, the more one realises that there is much to know about coaching that cannot be contained in sound bites and ‘chat-show’ logic. We should not (and in any real sense cannot) forcibly simplify the complexity: for example, by assuming functional relations exist (or should exist) among various groups or individuals (Guilianotti, 2005), or skipping over such notions as ‘social skills’ and ‘communication’ as if they are self-explanatory. Similarly, just developing a literal grasp of the theories presented is not enough. The point here is not to make ‘accuracy a virtue’ (Housman, 1937). That would be like ‘praising an architect for using wellseasoned timber or properly mixed concrete in his [sic] building. It is a necessary condition of his work, but not his essential function’ (Carr, 1961: 11). In coaching terms, such a perspective would privilege the precision of communicative behaviours over the quality of communicative interaction (Pineau, 1994). Alternatively, through this book, we advocate a critical understanding of coaching that challenges instrumental reasoning.
Sociological Research Online, 2018
The primary purpose of this article was to investigate the use and manifestation of humour within... more The primary purpose of this article was to investigate the use and manifestation of humour within sports coaching. This was particularly in light of the social significance of humour as a critical component in cultural creation and negotiation. Data were gathered from a 10-month ethnographic study that tracked the players and coaches of Senghenydd City Football Club (a pseudonym) over the course of a full season. Precise methods of data collection included participant observation, reflective personal field notes, and ethnographic film. The results demonstrated the dominating presence of both ‘inclusionary putdowns’ and ‘disciplinary humour’, particularly in relation to how they contributed to the production and maintenance of the social order. Finally, a reflective conclusion discusses the temporal nature of the collective understanding evident among the group at Senghenydd, and its effect on the humour evident. In doing so, the work contributes to the body of knowledge regarding th...
Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 1998
The purpose of the study was to compare the televised depictions and portrayals of male and femal... more The purpose of the study was to compare the televised depictions and portrayals of male and female athletes who partook in the so-called ‘masculine’ events of the marathon, shot-put and discus at the 5th World Athletics Championships in 1995. Both commentary and modes of production were analyzed in order to ascertain if women were treated equally in terms of the above modes of presentation when participating in physically challenging events that defy traditional and stereotypical notions of femininity.Based upon the results, not only were the men’s events given greater air time, but the quality of the commentary and modes of production also favored the men’s events when compared with their female counterparts. Thus, commentators frequently framed the female athletes’ accomplishments in terms of traditional notions of femininity, through the use of negative, condescending and ambivalent descriptors and a gendered hierarchy of naming.
Sociology of Sport Journal, 1996
This study investigates racial trends, in terms of participation and integration, in the highest ... more This study investigates racial trends, in terms of participation and integration, in the highest levels of English professional basketball A longitudinal approach is utilized whereby the facial and international compositions of teams and coaching staffs who comprised the First Division of the English National Basketball League during the period 1977-1994 are examined. The findings demonstrate that although a substantial increase in the number of Blacks, and more specifically black Britons, who played the game at the highest level in England took place during the set time period, no evidence of racial discrimination, as demonstrated through “stacking,” exists. It is hypothesized, however, that racism within English basketball is alternatively manifest through numerous social dynamics particular to the English context that are responsible for the predominance of black athletes within the sport. These developments, in turn, are interlinked with the wider global processes of commerciali...
Sports Coaching Review, 2015
The purpose of this article is to locate the pedagogical notion of scaffolding within the field o... more The purpose of this article is to locate the pedagogical notion of scaffolding within the field of sports coaching. The aim, however, is not only to present scaffolding as a wide-ranging rhetorical concept, but as a definitive perspective by which to better manage coaching's uncertain nature. Following an introduction, a review of the development and current conceptualisation of scaffolding is undertaken, inclusive of its connection to socio-cultural theory. Subsequently, drawing on current research, examples of how and where coaching practice can be scaffolded from macro, meso and micro perspectives are presented. Finally, a reflective conclusion summarises the main points made and outlines implications for future coaching and coach education.
Sports Coaching Review, 2014
Qualitative Inquiry, 2011
Within this article, the author presents a personal story, “Leaving,” which highlights the proble... more Within this article, the author presents a personal story, “Leaving,” which highlights the problematic experience of opposing established practice. The tale tells of the difficulty faced by creative agency when confronted by a constraining structural hegemony. Specifically, it draws attention to the professionalization of academic life through a cult of managerialism. Although the narrative is presented without extensive framing theory allowing multiple readings, the task is sociological as opposed to literary. Consequently, following the story, a discussion of its purpose, and a rationale for engaging in creative writing as a form of academic representation, two possible, though connected, theoretical sense-making lenses are offered: Foucault’s concept of the “discourse of right” through which power is both created and exercised, and Habermas’s cautionary note related to the power of systematic rationality to usurp the human “lifeworld.”