Applied Research on Coaching Success
Diamond Harrell
SMGT 520: Understanding Research in Sport, Recreation & Tourism
Dr. Jeffery Briggs
March 8, 2024
Abstract
•A coach assumes numerous responsibilities upon employment; however, a critical aspect that falls under their
purview is the dynamic that exists between them and their athletes. A coach ought to uphold a professional
rapport with the athlete that is harmoniously balanced with vigilance and self-control. Without exception, the
relationship between the coach and the athlete ought to be mutually beneficial and not one-sided. A positive
relationship not only contributes to the athlete's improved performance, but also facilitates the coach's own
success. Success or failure is the only determinants of a coach's career. The relationship a coach has with his
or her athletes, the concern he or she has for the sport and its participants, professional development, and
gaining knowledge from other instructors all contribute to the coach's success. Success is not synonymous
with game-winning, but rather with the successful completion of objectives, the development of a positive
rapport with the athlete, and the transformation of the athlete into an individual of integrity (Davis, Appleby,
Davis, Wetherell, & Gustafsson, 2018). The objective of this research endeavor is to analyze the
attributes that define an effective coach, as well as the constructive rapport that exists between said
instructor and the athlete.
How do athletes perceive their experiences while playing for
their coach?
•Players, coaches, their respective positions, and their experiences are the subject of an immense body of
literature.
•The relationship between a player and their coach significantly impacts the athlete’s playing performance,
satisfaction, and overall quality of life.:Coaches play an integral role in shaping the sport experience for
athletes
•These include effective communication, positive reinforcement, and the ability to create a supportive
environment
Cont.
•Research has shown that female athletes’ experiences and perceptions of male and female coaches differ
•Athletes appreciate clear structure and effective communication from their coaches
•The quality of personal relationships with coaches influences athletes’ experiences
•While some athletes prefer male coaches, others lean toward female coaches
Key Terms
•Value Based Leadership (VBL)
•Humility
•Caring
•Compassion
Value Based Leadership
•predicates behaviors and mindsets on principles of morality and ethics
•The framework comprises the following four leadership theories:
•Transformational
•Servant
•Ethical
•Authentic
Cont.
•The outcomes for coaches who employ a value-based leadership approach are more favorable in comparison
to coaches who do not employ such an approach. The likelihood of success not only improves for these
instructors but also increases the potential for more favorable results in other domains. By placing values
above victory, coaches afford their athletes the chance to cultivate moral and ethical behavior.
•When coaches prioritize short-term objectives such as victory, the emphasis is placed on the athlete's skill
development rather than their ethical conduct (Crossan, Copeland, & Barnhart, 2021)
Humility
•values the contributions and strengths of others
•the interpersonal aspect that becomes apparent in social situations
•enables individuals to recognize one another
Cont.
•A coach's humility not only fosters a constructive relationship with the athlete but also cultivates an
environment conducive to the athlete's innovation. Additionally, it fosters a greater sense of trust between the
athlete and coach, promoting an open and genuine relationship (Tuan, 2019)
•Instead of being perceived as a sign of frailty, lack of confidence, or ambition, humility ought to be regarded
as an inspiring quality. Coaches should not only be interested in their own personal development, but also in
the personal growth of their participants
•To achieve success and foster a positive rapport with their athletes, coaches ought to integrate a motivational
model into their value-based leadership approach (Mageau & Vallerand, 2010)
Caring
•valuing and supporting others
•entails conversing with and listening to others
Cont.
•It is imperative for coaches to strike a harmonious equilibrium among empathy and concern, diligence, and
competitiveness (Doshten, Barker-Ruchti, & Lindgren, 2018)
•treat an athlete as a human being, a coach must engage in dialogue with the athlete, provide support, and
actively attend to the athlete. It is imperative for a coach to possess a broader range of convictions that extend
beyond mere success
Compassion
•recognizing and attending to the requirements of another individual
•improve the individual's overall state of being
•assist them in expressing their suffering
Cont.
•Compassion enables the instructor to shift their focus from themselves to the athlete. It facilitates the coach's
ability to direct the athletes in the proper path. Additionally, it facilitates the emergence of additional
favorable results (Boyatzis, Smith, & Beveridge, 2012)
Discussion of Literature
•Many individuals equate success in sports with a certain number of victories
•Although the attributes contribute to a coach's success, one of the most crucial qualities is the rapport they
establish with their athletes
•Coaching is a difficult profession to achieve success in if one did not participate in the sport as a child
•They acquire the necessary skills to perform the sport at a tender age
Cont.
•Former athletes evaluate everything they have learned from their former coaches during the transition from
athlete to coach
•Wisdom is said to be acquired with age, while understanding is gained over the course of many days
•A prosperous coach will not solely possess a positive character but will also impart that quality to their
players. Athletes ought to possess a good character that embodies morals and ethics not only during their
athletic endeavors and practices, but also in their personal lives and beyond. Assemble their charges as
servants who embody integrity, authenticity, and professionalism.
What do Coach’s need to Recognize?
•The Demarcation
•coach's ought to have concern for their players, they are not permitted to get too close to them
•An intimate relationship between an athlete and a coach can led to abuse, particularly sexual abuse
•An athlete may genuinely enjoy a sport to the fullest, but if they encounter a coach who is uncaring and even
abusive, it will discourage them from ever pursuing a coaching career and may even tempt them to give up
the sport entirely
•The quality of the relationship between coaches and athletes is directly proportional to the athletes'
relationship with The Lord. It is difficult to have a positive relationship characterized by ethics, morals,
concern, and compassion apart from a strong relationship and walk with The Lord. Without The Lord,
numerous relationships will culminate in slander and abuse
Application & Future Integration
•A daily presence in the Word is one way in which a coach can assist in establishing a solid foundation for
their relationship with their athletes
•A coach can develop and gain knowledge by studying under another coach. One can acquire a wealth of
knowledge from the experiences of other coaches (Cushion, Armour, & Jones, 2012)
•When it comes to career advancement, most coaches lack perseverance because they erroneously believe they
know everything there is to know about sport and coaching
My Aspirations
•I see myself soon being a collegiate football coach
•My coach failed miserably in establishing a positive rapport between himself and the athlete and in defining
success in the role of a coach, both of which are aspects that I highly value
•I aspire to establish a reputation as a coach who successfully achieved equilibrium while serving as a mentor
and guide to the athletes
•My objective is for my athletes to feel as though I have adequately equipped them for life beyond athletics
and have contributed to their spiritual development
•My perpetual aspiration is to develop my coaching capabilities further, and I abhor being stagnant or
unmotivated
Conclusion
•To be a successful coach, they must find the balance between mentor and friend with the athlete. To do this
they must humble themselves and have values and morals in place. Coaches are meant to be guides and
teachers for the athletes and not friends. Just like how The Lord is our guide and our strength, a coach is an
athlete's guide and an athlete’s strength
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