Sport coaches have a tremendous influence—positive or negative—in the lives of athletes. Too often, however, the delivery of quality coaching is left to chance. Athletes deserve coaches who create positive environments, foster skill development, and build character.

In Coach Education Essentials, leading coach educators and professionals from around the world cover the core elements of coach education and development, and describe how best to understand, cultivate, and evaluate quality coaching.

Edited by Kristen Dieffenbach, PhD, and Melissa Thompson, PhD, this text is the most authoritative resource on the topic ever assembled, and the book’s contributors represent a who’s who of coach education:

John Bales

Gordon Bloom

Trey Burdette

Penny Crisfield

Edward Cope

Kristen Dieffenbach

Lori Gano-Overway

Brian Gearity

Wade Gilbert

Daniel Gould

Matthew Grant

Stephen Harvey

Luke Jones

Cameron Kiosoglous

Clayton Kuklick

Sergio Lara-Bercial

Sarah McQuade

Jenny Nalepa

Christine Nash

Matt Robinson

Ronald Smith

Frank Smoll

Melissa Thompson

Cecile Reynaud

Charles Wilson Jr.

Grounded in current research and emerging trends in the field of coach education, Coach Education Essentials adheres to the guidelines for coach education and development established by the International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE) and is consistent with the ICCE’s International Sport Coaching Framework.

The chapters cover the roles and responsibilities of the coach across various levels of sport, ranging from prepubescent participation to Olympic-level competition; current models of coaching education, training, and certification used by leading international sport organizations; and the evaluation of coach education.

Coach Education Essentials is a comprehensive, insightful, and practical resource for those invested in the development and advancement of quality coaching and coaching education. It will be an asset to all who promote coaching as a profession.