Elite Athletes’ Experiences of Athlete-Centred Coaching

Authors

  • Cassidy Preston University of Toronto, York University.
  • Gretchen Kerr University of Toronto
  • Ashley Stirling University of Toronto

Keywords:

Athlete-centred, Coaching, Coach Education, Elite Athletes

Abstract

Athlete-centred coaching is a method of sport coaching proposed to

enhance performance (Lyle, 2002), develop life skills (Kidman & Lombardo,

2010), and prevent athlete maltreatment (Kerr & Stirling, 2008). Despite these

proposals, very little is known empirically about athlete- centred coaching, the

extent to which it is implemented, or athletes’ experiences with this style of

coaching. The purpose of this study therefore was to examine recently retired

elite athletes’ perspectives on the extent to which their most athlete-centred

coach demonstrated the behaviors representative of this style of coaching.

Semistructured interviews were conducted with eight male and female recently

retired Olympians. The !ndings of this study indicated that some athlete-centred

behaviors such as using a process-oriented approach were commonly

experienced while others, including the asking of stimulating questions, were

reportedly absent. Explanations for the mixed !ndings are discussed and a

continuum of athlete-centred coaching is proposed. Lastly, suggestions for future

research and practical implications are presented.

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