“It Doesn’t Feel Like I’m Coaching”: Using a Kinesio-Cultural Exploration to Become a More Ethical Rhythmic Gymnastics Coach

Abstract

Rhythmic gymnastics (RG) is a sport that combines complex technical movements with hand-held apparatus, which, in turn, is used as an extension of the body’s movement. Therefore, coaching RG requires specialized knowledge for the athletes to successfully develop the required technical skills. In Canada, RG coach education is primarily delivered through formalized courses and informal learning of coach mentoring, experiential learning as a gymnast within a club setting, and copying examples from top international coaches. Traditionally, RG coaching has followed authoritarian coaching practices with the coach dictating the training to focus specifically on repetition of RG specific skills. These coaching practices can have unintended harmful, long-term consequences. In this study, I develop my own practice as an RG coach to consider more ethical coaching. To do this, I employ Action Research to implement a novel approach to skill learning, kinesio-cultural exploration (KCE), that requires me to reconceptualize skill development in a competitive RG setting and challenges the traditional authoritarian relationship between coach and gymnast.