The effects of coaching style on athlete wellbeing and burnout
Did you know that coaching style can significantly impact athletes’ well-being and their decision to stay in sport? For instance, a study with male soccer players revealed that a controlling coaching style was linked with player burnout. This finding underscores the importance of fostering autonomy-supportive coaching styles to enhance athletes’ wellbeing and mitigate the risk…
Transformational coaching
Coaches’ leadership styles can play an important role in fostering strong and effective connections with athletes. For example, a transformational leadership style, characterized by its proactive nature and emphasis on empowering, inspiring, and challenging athletes or teams, has been positively associated with the quality of the coach-athlete relationship.
Leveling the playing field: Accessibility in youth basketball
This article is part of a series in collaboration with the Centre for Healthy Youth Development through Sport (CHYDS) at Brock University and was presented at the CHYDS’ hosted Youth Sport Summit in April 2024. Most kids who have played basketball have never been on a basketball team. Despite its potential to be one of the…
The state of coaching sport: Landmark report reveals new insights and data
This article is part of a series in collaboration with the Centre for Healthy Youth Development through Sport (CHYDS) at Brock University and was presented at the CHYDS’ hosted Youth Sport Summit in April 2024. Coaching is the backbone of sport, fostering skill development, mentorship, and a sense of community among athletes and participants. With 1…
How coaches can increase athlete enjoyment and commitment
How a coach interacts with athletes can be significant predictor of athletes’ enjoyment and intentions to stay in sport. A study of 202 elite-level artistic swimmers from 22 countries showed that athletes under the guidance of democratic-style coaches reported elevated levels of athletic enjoyment and expressed greater intent to pursue their athletic careers. This finding…
The practice environment and athlete learning
The coaching environment influences athlete development. Research shows that for coaches to create effective learning environments for athletes they need to deliberately plan each practice session. To do so, coaches need to know their athlete’s capabilities and needs and should differentiate or individualize practice instead of adopting a “one size fits all” approach.
Sport psychology and coaching efficacy
Coaching efficacy is influenced by factors such as formal education. In a study involving high school coaches, sport psychology education and contact with sport psychology practitioners significantly increased coaching efficacy. While we traditionally think of athletes as benefiting the most from mental health and performance supports, coaches can also benefit from opportunities to engage in…
Improving Para sport through coaching
Ensuring equitable access and quality experiences for disabled people in sport is an ongoing challenge. Well trained coaches are crucial for delivering good opportunities, especially in Para sport. They play a key role in helping disabled individuals achieve important sporting and social goals.
Coaching your own child – 5 tips for the parent-coach
Being a parent-coach presents a unique set of challenges. Coaching is all about relationships, but sometimes the relationship between a parent and child poses different demands to that of an athlete and their coach. Balancing both can be difficult; particularly in team environments, where we must strive to be fair not only to ourselves and…
Coaches and athletes for activism
In the ongoing discussions about sport management, most of the focus is given to revenue generation through sport. However, this new study sheds light on using sport as a platform for coaches and athletes to be activists, driving societal change. Through exploring the factors shaping this activism and its impacts, this study offers insights for…