Coaching Ideology: Contextual Factors and Implications for Practice

Strean, William Ben

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Description

Title

Coaching Ideology: Contextual Factors and Implications for Practice

Author(s)

Strean, William Ben

Issue Date

1993

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Roberts, G.,

Department of Study

Kinesiology

Discipline

Kinesiology

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• Psychology, Social
• Education, Physical

Abstract

Many questions remain about the appropriate role of adults in youth sport. There is, however, general agreement that an important determinant of the psycho-social outcomes of participation is the relationship between coaches and athletes (e.g., Martens, 1987; Seefeldt & Gould, 1980; Smith & Smoll, 1990). To gain a better understanding of youth sport coaches, this study focused on coaching ideology (i.e., the set of values and beliefs or sociopolitical program that guides coaching behavior). To explore this construct, youth sport coaches (N = 59) were interviewed. From this group, using maximum variation sampling (Patton, 1990), eight coaches were selected for further study. These male and female coaches, aged 17 to 50 years, represented eight different team and individual sports. The athletes they coached ranged from 5 to 18 years old. To examine the relation between ideology and coaching behavior, these coaches participated in multiple-session depth-probe interviews and they were observed during training and competitions. All formal interviews (total time $\approx$62 hours) were transcribed verbatim and field notes were taken during all field observations (total time $\approx$175 hours). The data from the interviews and observations were subjected to initial and focused coding (Charmaz, 1983; Glaser, 1978) and inductive analyses. The results suggest that contextual factors operate as powerful constraints and affordances for coaches as they attempt to coach in accord with their ideological stances. Furthermore, the coaching ideology and behavior relation can be affected by both intrapersonal factors and contextual factors (e.g., persons in the environment, administrative structures, facilities, resources, and the local culture). Individual case analyses illustrated how specific factors moderate the influence of coaches' values and intentions on their behaviors. Although the findings indicate the importance of attending to context, the dominant elements of ideology appeared to overcome barriers and were reflected in coaching behaviors. The implications of the findings are discussed with respect to future youth sport practices. For example, because ideology is relatively stable, youth sport interventions could benefit from considering how contextual factors (e.g., league rules, parental involvement) can be manipulated to foster selected coaching behaviors. The results may also provide some insight into the development of coaches and may facilitate improvements in coaching education.

Graduation Semester

1993

Type of Resource

text

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