Psycho-social and socio-cultural are two different sub-disciplines in which the coach education and holistic sports coaching can be categorized. These two sub-disciplines deal with social and humanism theories. In order to explain and understand the complexities of coach education and sports coaching, the study of these two terms has emerged within the socio-cultural discipline. Different cultures, for examples like rugby league and rugby union, are maintained by sporting codes. Similarly, differences within culture can appear between two similar countries like New Zealand and Australia. Therefore, sports coaching can also be specified culturally. Through the cultural norms of connected research cultures, discussions regarding coach education and holistic sport coaching can be also specified culturally.

An in-depth holistic understanding regarding the behaviors of coaching can be gained through the holistic approach of inquiry which is also known as the mixed-method approaches. Other than this, it was perceived that an analytical goal is served by holistic perspective in terms of the coaching practice and the relationship between a coach and athlete. However, holism was not fully conceptualized and the process of coaching was described as interrelated, interactive and holistic. To further the understanding regarding the holistic sports coaching various researches were carried out in the past.

Similar to socio-cultural discipline, consistency between assumptions of the holistic approach to coaching and organismic social-cognitive theory of SDT was forwarded within the psycho-social discipline. With reference to elements that make up holistic coaching, a range of interpretations are presented within the psycho-social discipline. For example, sufficient amount of literature relevant to holistic coaching in North America was pointed out. Yet, interpretation of holism was stated explicitly by various researchers that were carrying out research regarding coaching within the psycho-social discipline. For example, it was proposed that the development and growth of an athlete is facilitated by the coaching role and holistic coaching. On the other hand, it was proposed that in addition to attributes of an athlete, the individual growth of players was also enhanced.