Coaching Practice, Ethics, and Athlete Communication
Domain 10: Coaching Practice, Ethics, and Athlete Communication tests professional conduct, scope of practice, and communication. The exam expects you to build trust, obtain informed consent, protect data, and refer medical issues.
Core rules and concepts
- Scope of practice: coaches prescribe training and behavior strategies. Do not diagnose, prescribe medication, or provide medical nutrition therapy.
- Informed consent should cover training risks, fees, cancellation, communication expectations, and data use.
- Communication includes active listening, clear goal-setting, written plans, and regular check-ins. Adjust the message to the athlete’s experience and stress level.
- Ethics include confidentiality, professional boundaries, harassment prevention, and disclosure of conflicts of interest.
- Refer to physicians, physiotherapists, dietitians, or psychologists when issues exceed coaching scope.
Worked example
An athlete reports chest tightness during intervals. The coach should stop the session, ask about symptoms, and refer to a physician-not suggest it is “just anxiety” or adjust training. The reasoning: chest pain is a red flag outside coaching scope.
Traps that cost marks
Promising podium results; sharing athlete data without consent; coaching through injury; blurring personal and professional boundaries; giving medical advice.
Key points
- Stay within coaching scope; refer medical issues.
- Obtain informed consent and protect athlete data.
- Use clear goals, written plans, and regular check-ins.
- Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
- Disclose conflicts of interest.