Understanding Coaches’ Knowledge Acquisition about Skilled Performance in Overhead, Single-Handed Fly-Distance Casting

The performance objective of fly-distance casting is to cast the line as far as possible. The technique has evolved with limited biomechanical analysis, and that conducted has focused on the upper body only. There has been no movement patterning comparison with other sports. Since the 1980s, performance in the ICSF Event 2–38-gram fly-distance casting event at world casting championships has plateaued. The aims of this study were to identify the views of casting coaches (1) about the similarity of fly-distance casting technique to other sports, (2) the determinants of optimal fly-casting distance performance, (3) the role of biomechanics in the development of fly-distance casting technique, and (4) the sources used, and barriers encountered in expanding knowledge. Javelin was the sport most similar to fly-distance casting; line speed was a key performance determinant, and translation, rather than a rotation, was advocated. Coaches agreed biomechanics would be beneficial to performance. Coaches rated little research being available, being unaware of how to access research information and research readability as barriers to knowledge accessibility. This study is the first to identify what fly-casting coaches perceive as the determinants of casting technique, performance and coaching. It establishes a benchmark for further research in areas such as biomechanics, motor learning and sports performance.