My research area focuses on the socio-pedagogical nature of sport coaching in respect of exploring, understanding and locating the educational function of coaches, thus viewing them as more knowledgeable others and learning as a social practice. This conceptualisation of teaching and learning within the act and process of coaching highlights’ the need for coaches to engage in contextual collaborative learning relationships with athletes to fully develop sporting performance at any level.
Books
Galperin, P.Y., Engeness, I. & Thomas, G. Ll. (2022).
Psychological Differences Between Tool Use by Humans and Animals. Springer.
Peer Reviewed Articles
Jones, R. L, Corsby, C.L.T. & Thomas, G. Ll. (under review). Bordering, connecting, and dispelling within sports coaching: Erasing the practitioner-scholar divide.
Corsby, C.L.T, Jones, R. L, Thomas, G. Ll. & Edwards, C. (2022). Coaching and ‘self-repair’: Examining the ‘artful practices’ of coaching work. Sociological Research Online, 1–19. doi:10.1177/13607804211064911
Thomas, G. Ll., Bailey, J., & Engeness, I. (2021). Scaffolding athlete learning in preparation for competition: What matters.
Sports Coaching Review. DOI: 10.1080/21640629.2021.1991713
Corsby, C.L.T, Jones, R. L,
Thomas, G. Ll. Edwards, C. (in press). Coaching and 'self-repair': Examining the 'artful practices' of coaching work
Sociological Research Online.
Morgan, K., Mouchet, A., &
Thomas, G. Ll. (2020). Coaches' perceptions of decision making in rugby union,
Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy. DOI: 10.1080/17408989.2020.1725458
Mouchet, A., Morgan, K. &
Thomas, G. Ll. (2018). Pyschophenomenology and the explicitation interview for accessing subjective lived experience in sport coaching,
Sport, Education and Society, DOI: 10.1080/13573322.2018.1495189
Jones, R. L, Thomas, G. Ll., Nunes, R. L. & Viotto Filho, I.A.T. (2018). The importance of history, language, change and challenge: What Vygotsky can teach sports coaches.
Motriz. Revista de Educação Física, 24:2, DOI: 10.1590/s1980-6574201800020008
Thomas, G.Ll., Coles, T. & Wilson, M.R. (2016). Exploring mini rugby union coaches' perceptions of competitive activities.
Sports Coaching Review. DOI: 10.1080/21640629.2016.1244425
Jones, R. L & Thomas, G. Ll. (2015). Coaching as 'scaffolded' practice: further insights into sport pedagogy,
Sports Coaching Review, 4:2, 65-79, DOI: 10.1080/21640629.2016.1157321.
Thomas, G. Ll., & Wilson, M. R. (2015). Playing by the rules: A developmentally appropriate introduction to rugby union.
International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching,10:2+3, 413-423.
Thomas, G. Ll. & Wilson, M.R. (2014). Exploring a competitive developmental pathway for childhood rugby union.
Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health. DOI.10.1080/2159676X.2013.819373
Thomas, G. Ll., Morgan, K. & Mesquita, I. (2013). Examining the implementation of a TGfU approach in junior rugby using a reflective practice design.
Sports Coaching Review.
Book chapters
Engeness, I.,
Thomas, G.Ll., Podolskiy, A. (2021) Demands and realities: Significance and implications of Galperin’s legacy for learning and teaching in 21st century.
Cultural Psychology of Education, 2021, 14, pp. 105–121.
Corsby, C.L.T., Thomas, G. Ll. & Santos, M. (2021). Coaching Educational Programs: (Re)Conceptualising how coaches learn. In Rui Resende and A. Rui Gomes (Eds.),
Coaching for Human Development and Performance in Sports (pp. 25-41). Springer.
Thomas, G.Ll., Morgan K., & Harris, K. (2016). Application of Albert Bandura's work to coaching. In L.Nelson, P.Potrac & R. Groom (Eds.),
Learning in sports coaching: Theory and application. London: Routledge. 22-33.
Jones, R.L.,
Thomas, G.Ll., Felix, T., Viotto Filho, T., & Edwards, C.. (2016) Yrjö Engeström, activity theory and coaching. L.Nelson, P.Potrac & R. Groom (Eds.),
Learning in sports coaching: Theory and application. London: Routledge. 113-122.
Chapters
Engeness, I.,
Thomas, G.Ll., Podolskiy, A. (2021) Demands and realities: Significance and implications of Galperin’s legacy for learning and teaching in 21st century.
Cultural Psychology of Education, 2021, 14, pp. 105–121.
Corsby, C.L.T., Thomas, G. Ll. & Santos, M. (2021). Coaching Educational Programs: (Re)Conceptualising how coaches learn. In Rui Resende and A. Rui Gomes (Eds.),
Coaching for Human Development and Performance in Sports (pp. 25-41). Springer.
Thomas, G.Ll., Morgan K., & Harris, K. (2016). Application of Albert Bandura's work to coaching. In L.Nelson, P.Potrac & R. Groom (Eds.), Learning in sports coaching:
Theory and application. London: Routledge. 22-33.
Jones, R.L.,
Thomas, G.Ll., Felix, T., Viotto Filho, T., & Edwards, C.. (2016) Yrjö Engeström, activity theory and coaching. L.Nelson, P.Potrac & R. Groom (Eds.),
Learning in sports coaching: Theory and application. London: Routledge. 113-122.
Invited conference presentations
Engeness, I., &
Thomas, G.Ll. (2021). P.Y. Galperin’s Development of Human Mental Activity: Implications for practice and research. Moscow CHAT Reading Group.
Thomas, G.L., (2014).
Tactical & skill development through game centred approaches: Scaffolding coaching practice. Paper presented at the 'Youth Talent ID & Development Conference', Cape Town, South Africa.
Thomas, G.L., Wilson, M.R., Coles, T.E., (2014).
Introducing children to rugby: Shaping the game, retaining players and developing talent. Paper presented at the 'Youth Talent ID & Development Conference', Cape Town, South Africa.
Other presentations
Thomas, G.Ll. (2023).
Developing players’ collective tactical knowledge and understanding using video analysis. World Congress on Science and Football, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Engeness, I., & Thomas, G.Ll. (2021). P.Y. Galperin's Development of Human Mental Activity: Implications for practice and research. Moscow CHAT Reading Group.
Thomas, G.Ll., & Bailey J., (2019).
An exploration of the role of scaffolding during preparation for an elite gymnastics competition from a socio-pedagogical perspective. Cluster for Research into Coaching (CriC) 5th International Coaching Conference, Worcester, UK.
Thomas, G.Ll., & Jones R.L., (2015).
Scaffolding Coaching Practice. Cluster for Research into Coaching (CriC) Third International Coaching Conference, Crewe, UK.
Thomas, G.L., Coles, T.E., Wilson, M.R., (2013).
Introducing children to rugby: Exploring mini rugby coaches' views on U9 rugby. Paper presented at the 'Second International Coaching Conference', Crewe, UK.
Thomas, G.L. & Wilson, M.R. (2012).
Producing a developmentally appropriate game for under-9 rugby union players. Presentation given at the 'ICSEMIS convention' in Glasgow, Scotland.
Thomas, G.L. & Wilson, M.R. (2012).
Producing a developmentally appropriate game for under-11 rugby union players. Presentation given at the British Psychological Society, Expertise and Skill Acquisition Network Annual Meeting, Liverpool, England.
