ASSESSMENT OF FACTORS IMPACTING WILL TO WIN IN COLLEGIATE WOMAN??S SOCCER

Abstract

Motivation to win has been linked to cohesion when examined in the sport context. However, motivational factors and cohesion may be impacted by leadership style. PURPOSE To assess the relationship between Leadership styles and cohesion on will to win (WW) in collegiate soccer. METHODS Thirteen collegiate, Division I women soccer players (M=20.12 yrs.) were recruited and fill out a series of questionnaires including the “Will to Win” scale, Leadership Scale for Sports (LSS), and Group Environments Questionnaire (GEQ) were administered. RESULTS WW total was negatively related to perceived social support (r = − .576, p < .05) suggesting that less discrepant scores between preferred and actual social support received from the coach were significantly related to higher WW ratings. Also, a significant relationship was demonstrated between the preferred training style of the coach (r = .582, p < .05) WW scores. This finding suggests that higher ratings on the will to win scale were associated with social support and higher discrepancies between the preferred training techniques and those that coach employed were related to “will to win”. No significant correlations were revealed between any of the cohesion subscales and WW. CONCLUSION WW for these athletes was related to social support provided by the coach that matched their preferences and that will to win was related to a higher discrepancy between what the players preferred and what they perceived the coach to employ. Future interventions based on these findings could emphasize social support by the coach to the players and maintenance of training regime despite players preferences.