Sports coaching in risk society: No touch! No trust

• Published in: Sport, education and society Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. 331 - 345
• Main Authors: Piper, Heather, Taylor, Bill, Garratt, Dean
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 01.06.2012; Routledge; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Athletic Coaches; Case Studies; Child Abuse; Child care; Child Care Services; Child development; Children; Coaches & managers; Coaching; Don't touch; Economics; Experience; Fear; Foreign Countries; Interpersonal Relationship; Legal Problems; Mistrust; No touch coaching; Panic; Parent Role; Policy; Practice; Risk; Risk Management; Risk Society; Schools; Sexual Abuse; Sexual Harassment; Socialization; Sport education; Sports; Sports coaching; Tactile sensations; Touch; Trust; Trust (Psychology); United Kingdom; Youth; United Kingdom
• ISSN: 1357-3322; 1470-1243
• DOI: 10.1080/13573322.2011.608937

This paper is informed by a UK based Economic and Social Research Council funded research project which developed and deployed a case-study approach to issues of touch between children and professionals in schools and childcare. Outcomes from these settings are referred to, but the focus here is shifted to touch in sports coaching and its distinctive contextual and institutional characteristics. We consider the broader context of no touch coaching practice, including relevant theoretical accounts, review policy which impacts on coaching activity and report on preliminary enquiries. 1 We argue that the disembodiment of practice has undermined the conception and experience of sports coaching and its contribution to educating and socialising young people.