Developing the Triad of Knowledge in Coaching: Think Aloud as a Reflective Tool Within a Category 1 Football Academy

The current study aimed to explore the perceptions of football academy coaches on their use a novel reflective tool (Think Aloud [TA]) and understand if this can support development knowledge within coaches. Eight male ( M age = 36) employed full time at Category 1 United Kingdom took part. All attended 2-hr workshop TA as tool, with opportunity practice while coaching. Participants were interviewed using semistructured approach. Data analyzed abductively, which allowed generation initial codes involvement triad (professional, interpersonal, intrapersonal knowledge), has been adopted coaching identified an approach developing expertise, analysis process. Findings suggest that all three types be developed through TA, subthemes each type knowledge: professional (player coach session design), interpersonal (communication relationships), (biases, self-awareness, reflection). This research offers perspective implementation potential expertise.