Community Sport Coaching and Impression Management

This chapter positions community sport coaching work as a social, interactive performance. It begins by introducing the concept of dramaturgy and Erving Goffman’s ground-breaking work addressing ‘the presentation of the self in everyday life. This background information is then followed by an exposition of some of Goffman’s central dramaturgical concepts and the ways in which they connect with, and could be used to inform, everyday community sport coaching practice. Here, Callum, the last author, provides detailed examples of how he has utilised these dramaturgical concepts to inform the ways in which he performs his community sport coaching role. Finally, the conclusion summarises the central arguments and issues raised in this chapter and provides some critical questions to stimulate your reflection on the dramaturgical dimensions of everyday practice.