Experiences of Pre-Service Physical Education Teachers with Volleyball Lessons Implemented Using the Sports Education Model

This phenomenological study aims to examine the experiences of pre-service physical education teachers regarding a ten-week volleyball course conducted using the Sport Education Model. Data were collected from eight teacher candidates through individual interviews and researcher field notes. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Based on the views of the eight students selected through purposive sampling, three main themes were identified (1) development of professional identity and teaching skills, (2) teamwork and social interaction, and (3) motivation and sense of responsibility. The findings revealed that Sport Education Model contributed to the development of both the professional competencies and social skills of the teacher candidates. Their active participation in the instructional process helped them internalize the teaching role and reinforce their professional identity. Furthermore, the team-based structure of Sport Education Model positively influenced skills such as collaboration, communication, and taking responsibility among the teacher candidates. The results indicate that Sport Education Model is an effective model in teacher training and that model-based approaches significantly contribute to both the professional and personal development of pre-service teachers.

Cite this article as: Yılmaz, E. B. (2026). Experiences of pre-service physical education teachers with volleyball lessons implemented using the sports education model. Research in Sports Science, 16, 0064, doi: 10.5152/rss.2026.25064.