FACTORS ASSOCIATED TO THE EXPERTISE DEVEL- OPMENT IN COACHES ’ BASKETBALL. A BIOGRAPHI-

The investigation that we present tries to show the process followed in the formation and development the skill by ex-pert basketball coaches, starting from the studies about the development of the skill, mainly from the application of i) the theory of the deliberate practice (Ericsson, Krampe & Tesch-Römer, 1993), ii) the rule of the 10 years (Simon and Chase, 1973,), or iii) the excellence desire (Bloom, 1985) and the necessary commitment for the development of its skill, as well as of the studies that analyze the ways routes of the formative process followed by the coaches (observation of the other coaches, exchange of opinions, mentoring,). For that, we used the qualitative methodol-ogy (Taylor & Bogdan, 1984) from a biographical point of view. Semistructured interviews were carried out in order to meet the vital itinerary of 8 expert basketball coaches, who develop their activity in ACB league or the Spanish national selection, using for their selection the criteria used in specific Literature. The results show that all the inter-viewed coaches reflect a great dedication during long time, as well as a great commitment and illusion in its profes-sion. They reflect as main formatives resources the practi-cal experiences, mentoring, as well as the observation and interaction with other coaches. Finally, we found the exis-tence of several stages in the coaches formative process, increasing their autonomy and their abilities as coaches (communication, leadership, sport knowledge), just as the studies reflect like McCullick, Cumings & Demarco (1998) and Schinke, Bloom & Salmela (1995). McCullick et al. (1998) suggest four stages that are (a) beginner, (b) com-petent, (c) proficient and (d) expert. As long as Schinke et al. (1995) establish seven stages, three as players and four as coaches