The learning situations and factors related to the development of expert Brazilian Judo coaches

The coach plays a fundamental role in high-performance sports, particularly in relation to the development of athletes and the achievement of successful outcomes. Brazil holds significant relevance in international judo, considering the results obtained in international competitions and the Olympic Games. Understanding the development of expert coaches can contribute to the development of new coaches. The present study aimed to investigate the development of expert Brazilian judo coaches. A qualitative, retrospective case study was conducted using a semi-structured interview research design. Seven expert Brazilian judo coaches were interviewed for this study. The results revealed that several factors are related to the development of expert coaches, such as personal characteristics, formal learning situations, nonformal learning situations, informal learning situations, and support from family and friends. Among the findings, informal learning situations stand out, characterized by the highest number of learning instances, alongside the proficiency in English, and the importance of family and friends. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the development of expert Brazilian judo coaches is a complex process involving the combination of various interrelated factors.