Coach Relationship Research Articles

Analyzing Lived Experiences of Athlete and Coach Relationships in Sports

Objectives. The two main stressors affecting athletes’ wellbeing are relationships between coaches and athletes and social support. This study aims to investigate the connections between athletes’ psychological health, social support, and coach-athlete interactions. Relationships between coaches and athletes have a favorable impact on future coaching techniques and support systems, which in turn improves athlete wellbeing. Materials and methods. This study employed a quantitative approach using survey methods. The study involved 323 respondents consisting of 231 males (71.52%) and 92 females (28.48%). The instrument used in this study was the Instructor–Student Rapport Scale, comprising 2 dimensions (pleasant interactions and personal relationships). The study results were analyzed using the t-test to determine the significance of differences in athletes’ life experiences based on their relationship with the coach. The findings of the study explain that the experiences of athletes’ gender have differences regarding the relationship with the coach. Results. This result has also been proven by the results of the t test calculation of <0.001. Meanwhile, the results of t test calculations related to the type of sport (individual and group) obtained results > 0.001, which states that there is no difference in life experience between athletes and coaches. Conclusions. These findings lead to the conclusion that the most crucial factor in facilitating and enabling meaningful life experiences between coaches and athletes is the coach’s proximity to the athletes.

The Coach's Role in Understanding the Athletes' Condition: Maximizing Communication Functions

The coach relationship is one of the keys to success for an athlete. This relationship will be good if each person has the communication skills to accept and understand each other. This research aims to explore the role of a coach in understanding an athlete's condition in order to maximize the role of communication in that relationship. To conduct this research on the coach's role in understanding athletes' condition and maximizing communication functions, a selective study approach will be employed. The research sample was 173 (124 men, 49 women) from various sports (accuracy; martial arts; games; measurable) who participated in this research. The average age of participants was 20.07. The research results obtained were then analyzed using simple linear regression. This research uses the Coach Confirmation Instrument (CFI) with a value of α = 0.95. The calculation results of the three data (gender, sports involvement and type of sport) obtained a value of > 0.05, which means there is no significant relationship between gender, sports involvement and type of sport on coach confirmation. This means that gender has no impact on coach confirmation. Likewise with sports involvement and type of sport on coach confirmation. The conclusion of this research is that the coach's communication skills play an important role in understanding the athlete's condition, regardless of gender (male; female), sports involvement (individual; team), type of sport (accuracy; martial arts; games; measurable). Keywords: The role of the coach, relationship between coach and athlete, type of sport, gender, communication function.

A scoping review of coach-parent interactions and relationships across youth sport settings

ABSTRACT To foster positive sporting experiences and enable young people to reach their sporting potential, parents and coaches need to have positive relationships. Correspondingly, literature exploring parent-coach relationships is expanding. However, previous studies have yet to be considered as a collective body to identify what characterizes effective and ineffective parent--coach relationships across youth sport settings and potential lines of inquiry for future research in the field. Consequently, this scoping review sought to (1) review published studies about coach-parent interactions and relationships within the context of youth sport; (2) systematically consider and identify the characteristics of effective and ineffective coach-parent relationships; and (3) highlight the existent gaps in the literature as they pertain to coach-parent relationships, and identify future research directions. Ten studies were reviewed. Findings highlighted that previous studies have provided valuable insights about coach--parent relationships, but missed important opportunities to understand context, cultural and relational dynamics across socio-cultural contexts. More research is needed on coach-parent interactions and relationships; particularly studies that can help parents and coaches come together to increase their children’s development and performance.

Mental Health Among Elite Youth Athletes: A Narrative Overview to Advance Research and Practice.

Participation in sports during youth is typically beneficial for mental health. However, it is unclear whether elite sport contexts contribute to greater risk of psychological distress or disorder. The aims of this paper are to highlight conceptual issues that require resolution in future research and practice, and to examine the key factors that may contribute to the mental health of elite youth athletes (EYAs). A narrative overview of the literature combined with the clinical and research expertise of the authors. Narrative overview. Level 5. EYAs experience a range of biopsychosocial developmental changes that interact with mental health in a multitude of ways. In addition, there are various sport-specific factors that contribute to the mental health of EYAs that may become more prominent in elite contexts. These include - but are not limited to - patterns relating to athlete coping and self-relating styles, the nature of peer, parental, and coach relationships, organizational culture and performance pressures, and mental health service provision and accessibility. A range of critical factors across individual, interpersonal, organizational, and societal domains have been shown to contribute to mental health among EYAs. However, this evidence is limited by heterogeneous samples and varied or imprecise terminology regarding what constitutes "youth" and "elite" in sport. Nevertheless, it is clear that EYAs face a range of risks that warrant careful consideration to progress to best practice principles and recommendations for mental health promotion and intervention in elite youth sport. Level C.

Erratum: Developing Coaches’ Knowledge of the Athlete–Coach Relationship Through Formal Coach Education: The Perceptions of Football Association Coach Developers

Erratum: Developing Coaches’ Knowledge of the Athlete–Coach Relationship Through Formal Coach Education: The Perceptions of Football Association Coach Developers

Developing Coaches’ Knowledge of the Athlete–Coach Relationship Through Formal Coach Education: The Perceptions of Football Association Coach Developers

Developing high-quality athlete–coach (A–C) relationships improves both athlete performance and well-being. However, content relating to the A–C relationship has been underrepresented within coach education. The study evaluates how coaches completing the English Football Association’s Union of European Football Associations A and B licenses develop knowledge of the A–C relationship. It does so by drawing on the perspectives of those who design and deliver the courses. Semistructured interviews were completed with nine experienced Football Association coach developers alongside a document analysis of seven key course documents. Data were analysed through an inductive thematic analysis and five themes were generated: (a) coach developers understand that the A–C relationship is built on trust, care, and hard and soft interpersonal approaches; (b) the triad of knowledge impacts on the A–C relationship, not just interpersonal knowledge; (c) the A–C relationship is not meaningfully addressed in the formalised course content; (d) in situ visits provide an effective medium to develop knowledge of the A–C relationship; and (e) the assessment framework does not align with the formalised course content. Findings demonstrate, despite a diversification in content, the A–C relationship is introduced in a superficial manner. Future research should clarify the knowledge coaches require to develop high-quality A–C relationships within a high-performance footballing context.

"Moving Freely in Space with Power and Not Be Afraid": An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Experiences of Elite Rowers with Visual Impairment.

Due to the accessibility of the sport of rowing for individuals with visual impairment (VI), rowers with VI are a unique population because they have the potential to be just as competitive outside of Para-rowing as sighted rowers. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of elite rowers with VI in relation to the benefits and challenges of those experiences as well as their peer and coach relationships. Adopting an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach to guide data collection, analysis, and interpretation, eight participants with VI who rowed on the national level or higher were recruited and interviewed. The analysis identified four major themes: Empowerment Through Rowing, Rowing Through Feel, Changing Perceptions, and Forming Influential Relationships. The identified themes illustrate the influence of rowing upon the participants' lives, careers, and successes, as well as the disability awareness of the coaches and peers influencing their experiences.

The Essence of My Coaching Is to Serve: Monty Williams, Faith, and Relationality

Oftentimes, an athletic coach is tasked with establishing a player–coach relationship that is built on trust, commitment, accountability, hard work, and a belief in process. More recently, however, head coach of the Phoenix Suns, Monty Williams, has garnered considerable public attention for adding faith into that equation. Though faith is primarily considered a theological outlook and expression of spiritual value, it has extended beyond religiosity into his coaching praxis and pedagogy. In the paper, I look to add the voice of Monty Williams to the rich cohort of Black people assembled by Carey Latimore in Unshakable Faith: African American Stories of Redemption, Hope, and Community, a text principally concerned with illuminating the diversity in thought and expression of faith. Additionally, I draw on theories from Black Studies, post-colonial studies, and the sociology of sport to interrogate a particular discursive formulation advanced by Williams—“[…] the essence of my coaching is to serve”. I explore the nature of a faith-based coaching philosophy in the game of basketball and how the notion of coaching as service expresses a dynamic, complex set of religious histories, but also embodies a form of relationality centered on the following question: What does it mean to navigate sociopolitical life and death in community?

“It’s All About the Trust And Building A Foundation:” Evaluation of a Longitudinal Medical Student Coaching Program

Problem Coaching is increasingly implemented in medical education to support learners’ growth, learning, and wellbeing. Data demonstrating the impact of longitudinal coaching programs are needed. Intervention We developed and evaluated a comprehensive longitudinal medical student coaching program designed to achieve three aims for students: fostering personal and professional development, advancing physician skills with a growth mindset, and promoting student wellbeing and belonging within an inclusive learning community. We also sought to advance coaches’ development as faculty through satisfying education roles with structured training. Students meet with coaches weekly for the first 17 months of medical school for patient care and health systems skills learning, and at least twice yearly throughout the remainder of medical school for individual progress and planning meetings and small-group discussions about professional identity. Using the developmental evaluation framework, we iteratively evaluated the program over the first five years of implementation with multiple quantitative and qualitative measures of students’ and coaches’ experiences related to the three aims. Context The University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, developed a longitudinal coaching program in 2016 for medical students alongside reform of the four-year curriculum. The coaching program addressed unmet student needs for a longitudinal, non-evaluative relationship with a coach to support their development, shape their approach to learning, and promote belonging and community. Impact In surveys and focus groups, students reported high satisfaction with coaching in measures of the three program aims. They appreciated coaches’ availability and guidance for the range of academic, personal, career, and other questions they had throughout medical school. Students endorsed the value of a longitudinal relationship and coaches’ ability to meet their changing needs over time. Students rated coaches’ teaching of foundational clinical skills highly. Students observed coaches learning some clinical skills with them – skills outside a coach’s daily practice. Students also raised some concerns about variability among coaches. Attention to wellbeing and belonging to a learning community were program highlights for students. Coaches benefited from relationships with students and other coaches and welcomed the professional development to equip them to support all student needs. Lessons Learned Students perceive that a comprehensive medical student coaching program can achieve aims to promote their development and provide support. Within a non-evaluative longitudinal coach relationship, students build skills in driving their own learning and improvement. Coaches experience a satisfying yet challenging role. Ongoing faculty development within a coach community and funding for the role seem essential for coaches to fulfill their responsibilities.

Relationship between Coaches and Soccer Players from Different Professional Levels

Bu çalışmanın amacı, aktif olarak futbol oynayan profesyonel ve amatör futbolcuların antrenörleri ile ilişkilerini yakınlık, bağlılık ve tamamlayıcılık alt boyutlarında, spora başlama yaşı ve oynadığı lig düzeyine göre incelemektir. Çalışmaya 15 yaş ve üzeri 284 amatör futbolcu ve 154 profesyonel futbolcu katılmıştır. Veri toplama aracı olarak araştırmacılar tarafından geliştirilen kişisel bilgi formu ve Sporcu-Antrenör İlişkisi Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Elde edilen verilerin analizi iki yönlü çok değişkenli varyans analizi (İki-yönlü MANOVA) ile incelenmiştir. Yapılan analizler sonucunda antrenör sporcu arasındaki iletişim düzeyinin spora başlama yaşı ve amatör, profesyonel olma statüsü ile iletişim düzeyleri arasında anlamlı fark olduğu ortaya çıkmıştır. Bu sonuca göre amatör futbolcuların profesyonel futbolculara göre antrenörleri ile daha iyi iletişim düzeyine sahip olduğu ayrıca spora başlama yaşı değişkenine bakıldığında 11 yaşından sonra spora başlayan ve profesyonel olan futbolcuların antrenörleri ile ilişkilerinin en yüksek düzeyde olduğu görülmektedir.

Coach-athlete relationship, team cohesion and motivation in Brazilian youth athletes: a cluster analysis

Purpose.This study investigated whether coach-athlete relationship development through sport was influenced by demographic factors, team cohesion, and motivation variables in Brazilian youth sport participants.Methods.The research involved 301 young athletes (136 boys and 165 girls) participating in the final phase of the School Games. They were aged 14–17 years (mean: 16.03 ± 0.83 years). The survey used assessed demographic variables, the Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire, the Sport Motivation Scale, and the Youth Sport Environment Questionnaire. The data were investigated with a cluster analysis, chi-squared test, and multivariate analysis of variance (<i>p</i> < 0.05).Results.The study revealed more female participants in the high coach relationship cluster (<i>p</i> = 0.010), as well as a stronger association of futsal and handball with high coach-athlete relationship quality, and of basketball with low coach-athlete relationship quality (<i>p</i> = 0.002). When compared with the low coach relationship cluster, youth sport participants in the high coach relationship cluster presented higher scores for social cohesion (<i>p</i> = 0.001), task cohesion (<i>p</i> = 0.001), and autonomous motivation regulations (<i>p</i>: 0.003–0.001).Conclusions.Such findings suggest that coaches should seek to encourage group cohesion for both task and social cohesion, thus motivating athletes to meet the demands of the sporting context.

Exploring parent and coach relationships in youth sport: A qualitative study

ABSTRACT Extensive research recognises the complex and often conflictual nature of parents and coaches involvement in youth sport. There are very few accounts that deeply explore the nature of parent and coach relationships in the current stock of literature, even less so from a sociocultural perspective. This is significant given that the behaviours of parents and coaches can determine youth athletes’ enjoyment, motivation, and psychosocial development within sport. As such, this study sought to understand how parent and coach relationships develop in an Australian youth sport context. Based on qualitative data collected from semi-structured interviews with parents (n = 10) and coaches (n = 10) in South Australia, four main themes were developed including the importance of credentials, the intermediary role, sharing goals, values, and expectations, and managing relational boundaries. The key findings suggest that parent and coach relationships are developed and shaped by broader aspects of society and culture, and beyond social exchanges with one another. It was found that this type of relationship is developed and maintained by wider discourses, historical and cultural specificity, and forms of language that reinforce a contemporaneous meaning and significance of parent and coach interactions.

UK professional male cricketers’ mental health and support experiences: A qualitative exploration

Recently, UK professional cricket has seen tragic events, powerful testimonies, and increased media attention surrounding mental health, yet the experiences of players and the support they receive has continued to receive limited academic attention. Our study bridged that gap by qualitatively examining UK male professional cricketers’ experiences of mental health and mental health support. Through interviews with 15 current and former male UK professional cricketers, who had an average of 14 years’ experience, three key themes were developed: (1) The emotional rollercoaster of a career in professional cricket, (2) local vs national level mental health support and, (3) nourishing vs malnourishing player’s mental health. Firstly, a career in professional cricket had highs and lows that both stimulated a player’s mental health and led to mental health issues and impaired performance. Secondly, while national level mental health support was endorsed, the support was found to be reactive. Due to the continued perceived stigma and lack of openness at the local (County) level, players reported feeling uncomfortable to reach out for support. Lastly, by providing stability with contracts, helping players prepare for and through transitions, encouraging the development of healthy habits, and coaches communicating effectively and investing in their relationships with players, organizations have the potential to nourish, protect, and enhance professional cricketers’ mental health throughout their career. Our study has important implications for counties by highlighting the role and responsibility they have in breaking down stigma, creating an open and supportive environment around mental health and nourishing player’s mental health experiences. Lay Summary: Interviews with 15 male UK professional cricketers revealed the importance of local and national cricket clubs supporting and protecting player mental health. Specifically, via reducing perceived mental health stigma, providing stability with contracts, helping players prepare for transitions, encouraging healthy habit development and effective coach relationships and communication. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Organizations at the local (County) level must recognize the key role and responsibility they have in breaking down the current stigma that exists around mental health and work toward creating an open and supportive environment where players can feel supported and comfortable seeking out mental health support. Organizations can also help protect and enhance professional cricketer’s mental health throughout their career. To achieve this, organizations at the local level should provide stability with contracts, help players prepare for and through transitions, encourage the development of healthy habits from an early age and lastly, coaches should communicate effectively and openly and invest in their relationships with players.

Çalışan Koçluk İlişkisinin Algılanan Kalitesinin Türkçe Ölçek Uyarlaması ve Psikolojik Sermayeye Etkisinin Yapısal Eşitlik Modellemesi ile İncelenmesi(Adaptation of The Perceived Quality of the Employee Coaching Relationship Scale to Turkish and Investigation of the Effect on Psychological Capital By Structural Equation Modeling)

Purpose ‒ The purpose of the study is adaptation of the Perceived Quality of Employee Coaching Relationship (PQERC) developed by Gregory and Levy (2010) into Turkish and to examine the effect of the perceived quality of employee coaching relationship and the psychological capital. Design/methodology/approach ‒ The research was designed with the relational quantitative method. The data collected by the survey study conducted on 190 people working in a production company in Samsun. Perceived Quality of the Employee Coaching Relationship Scale, which was adapted into Turkish with this study and the Capital Scale developed by Luthans et al. (2007) which was adapted by Cetin and Basim (2012) were used as data collection tools. The analysis of the data was carried out by structural equation modeling. Results ‒ Firstly in the study, adaptation of the “Perceived Quality of the Employee Coaching Relationship Scale” into Turkish was carried out, the fit index values of the model for the adapted scale were examined and it was seen that the level of fit was an acceptable level. As a result of the research, it has been determined that the perceived quality of employee coaching relationship has a positive effect on psychological capital. Discussion ­‒ Psychological capital is so important for employees to be able to look at events positively, to be resistant and flexible to changing environmental conditions and to increase their belief in success. The high quality coaching relationship that managers establish with their employees supports the employee in making the right decisions and reaching their goals, by ensuring that they are aware of themselves and their abilities. It is thought that this study, which examines the effect of employee coaching on psychological capital, will contribute to the literature in determining the antecedents of psychological capital. In addition, the number of researches on the subject will increase in the literature by adding the Perceived Quality of Employee Coaching Relationship Scale” to Turkish.

Solution-Focused Coaching for Friendship in Pediatric Rehabilitation: A Case Study of Goal Attainment, Client Engagement, and Coach Stances

Aims To examine goal attainment, engagement, and the stances used by coaches providing a solution-focused coaching intervention (SFC-peds) for young people with cerebral palsy pursuing friendship goals. Methods The case study involved two clients with cerebral palsy (a young child and his mother, and a youth) and their service providers. An interpretive descriptive approach was used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data. Friendship goal attainment was assessed by the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and goal attainment scaling, and client engagement was assessed using the Pediatric Rehabilitation Intervention Measure of Engagement-Service Provider version. Information from post-intervention client interviews was used to identify coach stances and relationships with client engagement. Results Participants met their friendship goals and were considered to be highly engaged by their coaches. Four coach stances were identified: Respectful Inquiry, a Strengths Presupposition, Implementation Curiosity, and Inspiring Commitment. These stances, and aligned tactics, engaged clients on affective, cognitive, and behavioral levels, and impacted the client’s stance toward their goal. Conclusions SFC-peds appears to be an effective and engaging approach for young people with disabilities working on friendship goals. The findings illustrate how the coach’s stances and tactics engage clients, thus impacting the client’s own stances toward change.

Impacting and being impacted by overuse injuries: an ethnodrama of parents’ experiences

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to explore the experience of parents of gymnasts suffering from overuse injuries. The work is part of a wider ethnographic project, with 43 participants (16 gymnasts, 3 coaches, 1 physiotherapist, 22 parents, 1 manager), which investigated the psychosocial factors affecting the development of overuse injuries in gymnasts. Data collection began with observations, formal and informal interviews, and a focus group, which were transcribed and analysed using reflective thematic analysis. Preliminary results were shared with the participants and reflective interviews were conducted to ensure depth and methodological rigour. Five themes were identified: ‘Catch 22’, highlighting the helplessness parents experienced watching their injured daughters; ‘I (need to) trust these people’, referring to the parent–coach relationship; ‘Because a gymnast cannot rest for too long’, which reconnects to aspects of Nixon’s culture of risk; ‘It’s on me’, and ‘Walking on a thin line’, two themes related to the sense of responsibility and the role of ‘mediator’ parents needed to adopt when dealing with their daughters’ overuse injuries. Findings from the study are presented using ethnodrama, a form of creative analytical practice aiming to create an informative and evocative experience. This study extends existing research which has demonstrated a recent shift away from the simplistic perspective of sport parents being either good or bad (e.g., ‘pushy parents’), and provides a more rounded description of the challenges of dealing with overuse injuries in youth sport. It also adopts an innovative form of representation to reach and impact non-academic audiences.

The influence of peer and coach relationships in after-school sports on perceptions of school climate

Objective: Sport is an important source of physical, social and emotional health and well-being among children. Sports participation at school may provide young people with the opportunity to build interpersonal skills and develop supportive social relationships with peers and adults, which may translate to positive experiences during the school day. School climate represents the relationships, values and beliefs within a school system and is associated with positive social, emotional and psychological health outcomes. This research examines the influence of social relationships developed during an after-school sports programme on indicators of school climate. Method: Students in grades 4–8 ( n = 230) at a school in Phoenix (Arizona) completed an online survey to measure perceptions of peer and coach relationships in after-school sports and indicators of school climate in the form of engagement with students, teachers and the school itself and perceptions of the school environment. Associations between sports relationships and school engagement and environment were examined through structural equation modelling (SEM). Results: Feeling coaches care about players and feeling like part of a team were positively associated with reported levels of school engagement. Feeling like other students shared similar values during sports, feeling a sense of belonging and feeling that coaches cared were associated with positive perceptions of school environment. Conclusion: Participation in an after-school sports programme can provide an opportunity for young people to develop positive social relationships with peers and coaches which may contribute to positive perceptions of the learning environment and student engagement during the school day. Findings support efforts to increase opportunities and accessibility to sports during the school day.

Key Factors Influencing Quality Coaching Relationships: The Role of EI Competencies

Executive coaching continues to explode in popularity as a means for individually-customized executive development. However, academic research on executive coaching has not expanded at the same rate. This is the first dyadic, qualitative study with external professional coaches and executive-level (Director, Vice President, and CxO-level) clients to empirically demonstrate EI competencies and their influence on quality coaching relationships within a business context. In addition, this is the first study to establish a shared validation of what coaches and clients experience as relevant and important competencies in their interactions. Our qualitative study of 32 coaching dyads finds that emotional intelligence competencies are key factors influencing quality coaching relationships. The top four EI behaviors displayed by outstanding coaches include the competencies of empathy, coach and mentor, inspirational leadership and adaptability. Study results indicate that outstanding coaches leverage their EI competencies to positively influence quality coaching relationships. By exploring how the coach’s EI behaviors influence quality dyadic coaching relationships, this empirical study aims to contribute to research and practice in the interdisciplinary fields of psychology, management, and executive coaching.

Can You Hear Me Now? The Influence of Perceived Media Richness on Executive Coaching Relationships

The leadership development industry has drawn scrutiny for being simultaneously costly and ineffective at developing effective leaders. Executive coaching has been demonstrated as one method of eff...

Gestalt Psychotherapy and Coaching for Relationships

Gestalt Psychotherapy and Coaching for Relationships