Reflection and reflective practice

Abstract

This chapter examines the practice of a case study UKCC Level 4 qualified coach and coach educator in exhibiting and developing reflection, both for himself and in others. It provides evidence-based recommendations for coaching students and practitioners. The ability to reflect and to engage in reflective practice is accepted as a key characteristic of effective and 'expert' sport coaches. Reflection offers a roadmap to examine experiences and responses as they occur, as well as consciously reviewing, describing, analysing and evaluating past practice, with a view to gaining insight to improve future practice. Reflective practice can be a written and cognitive process but there are clearly issues in recognising or indeed measuring the effects of reflective practice. A common thread among different theories is that reflective practice enables learning and knowledge construction embedded in the particular activity and context.