Research Gate

The Role of Technology in Coaching: Enhancing the Practice Through Education, Drills Databases, and Practice Planning

Abstract. Every coach faces the daunting task of creating challenging lesson plans for their team every time they enter the venue. Computers have proven effective in the role of computer-assisted instruction, but there is little evidence to substantiate their effectiveness when used as a tool for coaches. Researchers and coaches at the University of Calgary, Sport Technology Research Centre have developed a model for interactive coaching which includes an education component on planning a practice, a drills database using actual videos of the drills, and a practice planner linked to the drills. An interactive CD-ROM on volleyball was developed using this model. The program includes over 400 full video drills, 250 educational practice notes, the ability to modify the drills, a glossary with 130 volleyball related terms, and a customizable practice planning tool. In order to assess the effectiveness of the program, 24 volleyball coaches at various competition levels were selected to attend a two-hour workshop to learn how to use the program.

Following the workshop, the coaches were asked to use the program in planning their daily practices. Pre- and post-workshop testing, consisted of questionnaires which evaluated coaches’ attitudes towards using computers in their planning, and the suitability of using technology-based tools in their coaching. This paper discusses the potential of technology tools in coaching, the general coaching/technology model, and the Interactive Volleyball CD-ROM as a practical example of the theoretical model. A preliminary analysis of the coaches’ attitudes toward the technology is included.