A special issue of "Sociology of sport" on the coaching topic: The invisible ingredient in coaching knowledge : A case for recognising and researching the social component Paul Potrac, Trinity and All Saints College, Leeds, England, Robyn Jones, Brunel University, England Writing from life and metaphors of rigidity: Researching the sport coaching process Alastair Loadman, King Alfred's College of Higher Education, Winchester, England Expertise in teaching and coaching: A qualitative study of physical educators and athletic coaches * Brent Hardin, Flordia State University, USA Coaching in the 21st century: Issues, concerns and solutions * Bennett J. Lombardo, Rhode Island College, USA Coaching for the development of athlete self-esteem: The relationship between the self-perceptions of junior cricketers and their perceptions of coaching behaviour * Gordon D. Paterson, The Waikato Polytechnic, New Zealand Framing the construction of coaching knowledge in experiential learning theory Wade Gilbert & Pierre Trudel, University of Ottawa, Canada An ethnography on boxing: The role of the coach Sally Coates, University of Plymouth, England