|  | Resources | No.50 May 2007 |

Book Information Valerie Lewis Arbogast and Peggy Kellers |
Coaching for the Inner Edge by Robin S. Vealey Publisher: Fitness Informational Technology, Morgantown West Virginia, USA 407 pages ISBN 9781885693594 $59.00 USD 1-800-477-4348 (US ONLY) or 304-293-6888 “Sport arouses passion and competitive intensity within us because we all have at least briefly experienced ‘being in the zone’ or performing at a level commensurate with our physical and mental potential” (p. 3). Coaching for the Inner Edge provides coaches with useful information about sport psychology and enables them to understand athletes’ thoughts, behaviors and emotions during sport participation. This may create ways for both coaches and athletes to enhance the quality of their achievements by realising optimal performance, development and experience. Coaching for the Inner Edge is organised into four parts and a consistent format is followed throughout the book. Each of the 16 chapters includes an overview of the chapter’s objectives and purposes, action photographs, models and diagrams appropriate for the chapter’s content, applicable research, Summary Points, a Glossary and Reflective Learning Activities. The specific content is formatted in such a way that it is easy to follow and find key points, examples, and quotes. The first part, Establishing a Solid Foundation, provides detailed information about the necessary building blocks for success as a coach. Chapters such as philosophy, motivation, communication and team cohesion are well-developed, insightful and practical. For a potential coach, this part would make it easy to understand the necessary components one must establish before stepping into the profession. The material does not lock a coach into one approach but allows a person to view the big picture and decide how each concept fits with his/her style and personality. Part II, Mental Training Tool Box, focuses on factors that Vealey feels assist coaches in getting athletes to be effectively prepared for competition and success. Tools such as goal setting, imagery, productive thinking and relaxation are presented. Although some experts would argue that components such as imagery, for example, are skills rather than tools, the information is still valuable for effective performance. In Part III, Mental Skills for Athletes: The Big Three, the author introduces a unique combination of chapters when she develops attention skills, managing energy and ways that someone can self-coach. When athletes can learn these important skills and make them part of their performance and practice routines, these individuals can make adjustments on their own without the aid of coaches. Just as with any physical skill, mental skills can be learned, practiced, improved and implemented for effective performance in a competitive setting. Finally, Part IV, Putting It All Together, elaborates on how a coach can implement the building blocks, tools and skills into his/her coaching program. Vealey uses the term “recipe” and this section truly is a set of ingredients not only necessary for success but also for pitfalls to be aware of and avoided as a coach and in working with athletes. Burnout, for example, is a piece of the puzzle people in this profession need to pay attention to. Understanding the factors that impact burnout is essential for coaches. Coaching for the Inner Edge has numerous examples and quotes from and about famous athletes and coaches at various levels, which probably set this book apart from most. They reflect the author’s commitment to making the mental aspects of coaching relevant, understandable and practical. What coach wouldn’t want examples and quotes to draw upon in instructing and influencing his/her athletes? These are also very helpful in the classroom as well in highlighting key points with concrete examples for students preparing to be future coaches. Vealey seems to make a conscious effort to balance the gender and racial diversity among examples, quotes and photos throughout her book. With college athletes, five Caucasian males, five African American males, 19 Caucasian women and four African American women were highlighted. Among children, Vealey includes photos of young athletes with four Caucasian boys, three African American boys and one Caucasian girl. Professional athletes, Olympians and coaches were also included throughout the book with examples, quotes and photos. Caucasian males topped the list with 32, while nine African American males, nine Caucasian women, three African American women and one Asian woman were featured. Throughout Vealey’s Coaching for the Inner Edge, she includes numerous examples, diagrams and photographs allowing coaches and athletes to understand the basics of sport psychology. She allows the reader to focus on the many topics within each part and enables them to draw useful information from each chapter. Having summaries at the end of each section refocuses the reader on the important issues of each chapter. As Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living” (p.13). This is critical for the Inner Edge. It allows not only coaches and athletes, but everyone of all ages, genders and races to focus on what really is important. It brings forth what each individual values. Coaching for the Inner Edge allows the reader to consider what is important within the sport world and how one should go about achieving these important values. Contact Peggy Kellers James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA. USA Email: kellerpx@jmu.edu http://www.icsspe.org/portal/index.php?w=1&z=5 Book Information Valerie Lewis Arbogast and Peggy Kellers