Contemporary sports coaching studies have moved beyond simple biophysical approaches to more complex understandings of coaching as a set of social relationships and processes. This is the first book to examine what that means in the context of one major international sport, rugby union. Drawing on cutting-edge empirical research in the five most powerful rugby-playing nations, as well as developments in pedagogical and social theory, the book argues for an holistic approach to coaching, coach development and player and team performance, helping to close the gap between coaching theory and applied practice.

With player-centered approaches to coaching, such as Game Sense and Teaching Games for Understanding, at the heart of the book, it covers key contemporary topics in coach education such as:

• Long term coach development
• Experience and culture in coaching practice
• Positive coaching for youth rugby
• Improving decision-making ability
• Collaborative action research in rugby coaching

Informed by work with elite-level rugby coaches, and examining coaching practice in both the full and sevens versions of the game, this book encourages the reader to think critically about their own coaching practice and to consider innovative new approaches to player and coach development. It is essential reading for all students of sports coaching with an interest in rugby, and for any coach, manager or administrator looking to develop better programmes in coach education.

Contemporary sports coaching studies have moved beyond simple biophysical approaches to more complex understandings of coaching as a set of social relationships and processes. This is the first book to examine what that means in the context of one major international sport, rugby union. Drawing on cutting-edge empirical research in the five most powerful rugby-playing nations, as well as developments in pedagogical and social theory, the book argues for an holistic approach to coaching, coach development and player and team performance, helping to close the gap between coaching theory and applied practice.

With player-centered approaches to coaching, such as Game Sense and Teaching Games for Understanding, at the heart of the book, it covers key contemporary topics in coach education such as:

• Long term coach development
• Experience and culture in coaching practice
• Positive coaching for youth rugby
• Improving decision-making ability
• Collaborative action research in rugby coaching

Informed by work with elite-level rugby coaches, and examining coaching practice in both the full and sevens versions of the game, this book encourages the reader to think critically about their own coaching practice and to consider innovative new approaches to player and coach development. It is essential reading for all students of sports coaching with an interest in rugby, and for any coach, manager or administrator looking to develop better programmes in coach education.

This thesis centers on the historical review of one battalion as it participated in three operations other than war in the 1990's. The thesis is a five-chapter work containing an introduction, three chapters focusing on each of the deployments and a conclusion. The 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 10th Mountain Division, deployed for hurricane relief operations after Hurricane Andrew devastated Homestead, Florida, in August of 1992. After returning from that operation, the division was thrust into a quick deployment to the Horn of Africa where it was to assist the starving nation of Somalia to get back on its feet. The 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, the Theater Quick Reaction Force plunged from a humanitarian focus to one of combat operations, June through August 1993. In September of 1994, the battalion again was deployed to Haiti to assist in Operation Uphold Democracy. Each deployment was different and challenging and required a unique approach for mission accomplishment. The thesis focuses on detailed portions of the battalion's experiences in each of the deployments. It also compares and contrasts personnel and training practices and how the unit prepared for each eventual task. This thesis finalizes efforts to unify, in one document, the account of the unit and its soldiers during what can be arguably three of the most challenging OOTW missions to date. With today's shrinking Army and increasing missions, it is hoped that the experience and training regimen discussed in this thesis will assist others in the future.