Developing youth through sport: Strategies used by ten coaches

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify effective strategies for life skill development utilized by coaches. Ten (10) veteran football coaches were recruited and interviewed. Each interview lasted approximately for two hours. All recorded data were transcribed verbatim and later used for further analyses. The results were presented in 13 parts organized by key interview foci: the role of academic coach; the typical day of academic coach; key components for program success; the goals of the academic coach; success stories; effective strategies; ineffective strategies; strengths of academic coaches; weaknesses of academic coaches; strengths of the program; limits of the program; gender/ethnic issues; and recommendations for future academic coaches. Positive youth development strategies were categorized into two hierarchical levels. One is global macro level strategies and the other is specific micro level ones. Based on the interviews, a number of youth development strategies, both in macro and micro level, perceived to be effective were identified. However, it should be noted that while the coaches perceived these strategies were effective, they were not viewed as a panacea for all athletes in all situations. Finally, based on findings from the current study, a model for effective life skills development strategies was proposed