Reflective practice for rugby union strength and conditioning coaches

Abstract

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING FOR TEAM SPORTS, SUCH AS RUGBY UNION, IS CHALLENGING. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE IS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE EMERGING DISCUSSIONS OCCURRING WITHIN THE STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACHING COMMUNITY ON THE MERITS OF BECOMING A REFLECTIVE PRACTITIONER. MANY FRAMEWORKS HAVE BEEN PROPOSED TO SUPPORT PRACTITIONERS TO REFLECT ON THEIR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE. IN THIS ARTICLE, WE SUGGEST THAT VAN MANEN'S FRAMEWORK COULD BE USED TO SUPPORT STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACHES TO REFLECT ON THEIR PRACTICES AND THE SOCIAL CONTEXT IN WHICH THOSE PRACTICES OCCUR AND TO DEVELOP THE CONFIDENCE TO ENGAGE IN HIGHER ORDER THINKING. FOR A VIDEO ABSTRACT OF THIS ARTICLE, SEE VIDEO, SUPPLEMENTAL DIGITAL CONTENT 1, HTTP://LINKS.LWW.COM/SCJ/A129. Copyright © National Strength and Conditioning Association. © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.