Activity analysis of an expert handball coach: Similarities and differences across key matches during a high-level season

The objective of this article was to analyze the activity of an expert handball coach in order to highlight similarities and differences during four key matches of a high-level season involving contrasting power dynamics. Drawing on the “course of action” research program (Theureau 2006), we conducted a self-confrontation interview with the coach after each match, wherein he verbalized the significant elements for him in the given situation. The reconstruction of his experiential course throughout the four matches allowed for the identification of similarities and differences in the components of his activity (in terms of potentiality, actuality, and virtuality), closely related to the perceived power dynamics in the situation. These results contribute to a discussion on coaching expertise by fully integrating contextual and emotional dimensions.