What is the Difference Between Physical Education and Sports Coaching?

What is the difference between Physical Education and Sports Coaching?

There are not many better people placed to answer that question than Stuart Lancaster. The former England Rugby Head Coach and current Head Coach of Leinster Rugby was a PE teacher for 10 years in England before becoming a coach of professional rugby teams.

In Lancaster’s own words, the job of a PE teacher is to “motivate and inspire and try to give people motivation to want to exercise both in school and more importantly outside of school as well. You ultimately want to develop them as people and see them grow.”

Lancaster stressed the importance of having a broad and balanced curriculum so as to be as inclusive and encouraging as possible. He didn’t want to discard those who weren’t interested in sports because everyone benefits from a physical activity even if they aren’t trying to be elite athletes.

As a sports coach, it’s very different. Sports coaches push athletes to their peak performance and typically do so by helping them towards a specific goal or specialized skill set. It’s about competition, expertise and intensity.

Portobello Institute’s BSc (Hons) Physical Education and Coaching degree educate students so that they can pursue whichever career they prefer (or even both simultaneously as Lancaster did).

The modules on the course are clearly defined so there is no ambiguity for learners.

Sports Coaching Modules:

• Foundation of Sports Psychology and Coaching – Year 1
• Sports Research Skills – Year 1
• Contemporary Issues in Sport – Year 2
• Psychological Factors in Sporting Teams and Individuals – Year 2
• Sports Science Research Methods – Year 2

PE Coaching Modules:

• Introduction to Athletics and Games for Physical Education – Year 1
• Introduction to Gymnastics and Dance for Physical Education – Year 1
• Applied Principles and Teaching for Adventure Activities – Year 2
• Applied Principles and Teaching for Aquatics – Year 2
• Advanced Pedagogy for Disability PE – Year 3
• Advanced Pedagogy for Health and Promotion PE – Year 3
• Curriculum Development – Year 3
• Dissertation in Physical Education – Year 3

Although many principles and learning experiences from each module will cross over with modules that are labelled for the other side, there is only one specific module on the course that spans both roles:

• Principals of Effective Coaching and Teaching – Year 2

This is an extensive, thorough course that will allow graduates to immediately begin working in coaching environments and apply for a Professional Masters of Education (PME) in PE to become full-time PE teachers.

With Ireland’s recent introduction of PE as a Leaving Cert subject and the anticipated requirement for more qualified PE teachers, this is an expanding area and exciting career choice. As sports proved through the pandemic, it is an almost unstoppable industry where coaching opportunities will always be available to those most qualified to fill them.

The two roles are very different but you can do the same course to become qualified in either.

Portobello Institute values the one in everyone and understands that education is only a part of your life. We don’t want to take up all of your time and create stress for you. You should go to college to improve your life outside of college and after college.

We are training the sports professionals of the future. If you would like to work in sports in a professional capacity, you can find a course that will provide you with the requisite education to do so.

Our sports courses are listed here.

To read more articles like this one, you can visit the Sports section of the Knowledge Zone.

If you are interested in any of our sports courses or have any questions you can book a consultation call with our expert sports advisor Sharde Sebastian here, email sharde.sebastian@portobelloinstitute.com or call 01 892 0029.