Perceptions of the Coach–Athlete Relationship Predict the Attainment of Mastery Achievement Goals Six Months Later: A Two-Wave Longitudinal Study among F. A. Premier League Academy Soccer Players

Abstract

All football teams that compete within the F. A. Premier League possess an academy, whose objective is to produce more and better home-grown players that are capable of playing professionally. These young players spend a large amount of time with their coach, but little is known about player’s perception of the coach–athlete relationship within F. A. Premier League Academies. The objectives of this study were to examine whether perceptions of the coach–athlete relationship changed over six months and if the coach–athlete relationship predicted self-reported goal achievement among F. A. Premier League academy players. This study included cross-sectional (n = 104) and longitudinal (n = 52) assessments, in which academy soccer players completed a measure of the coach–athlete relationship and goal achievement across either one or two time periods. The cross-sectional data were subjected to bivariate correlations, whereas the longitudinal data were analyzed using multiple regressions. Perceptions of the coach–athlete relationship remained stable over time. The coach–athlete relationship predicted the achievement of mastery goals six months later. Enhancing the quality of the coach–athlete relationship among elite adolescent athletes appears to be a suitable way of maximizing mastery achievement goals, particularly among developmental athletes who participate in team sports.

Perception of Coach According to the Role of Starter or Substitute in the Final Stage of the Season

“…Our results partially coincide with this background, showing how the perception of the coach's leadership style (authentic leadership) suffered a significant decrease among starting players in the final phase of the season, while in the substitute players it was not affected. This observation found among starting players coincides with the results previously found by other studies [5,51]. The results found show that in the last weeks of the season the perception of the coach's leadership style according to the starting players drops significantly.…”

Body Physique, Body Composition, Physical Performance, Technical and Tactical Skills, Psychological Development, and Club Characteristics of Young Male Portuguese Soccer Players: The INEX Study

“…As Ames [ 77 ] argued, there is a socialization influence on young people’s achievement goal orientations, and exposure to a strong motivational climate can influence the salience and adoption of the related achievement goal orientation. Therefore, the findings of present study may indicate a putative positive effect of players’ contexts (e.g., training environment perceptions and coaches’ expectations) to elevate their levels of task achievements [ 23 , 78 , 79 ].…”

“…In addition to body physique, a young soccer player’s development is also linked with other factors such as psychological development, family support, coaches’ knowledge, and the club environment, to name but a few [ 20 ]. It has been found that elite youth soccer players performance levels are positively associated with higher task-orientated motivation, anticipation and decision-making [ 21 ], and the support of parents [ 22 ] and coaches [ 23 ].…”

The relationship between athletes' perceptions of Covid-19 and communication with the psychological skills

“…The negative approach is taken when training also affects the development of the coach's relationship with the athlete. Relationship between coach-athletes was a very important factor in achieving sports goals or achievements (Nicholls et al, 2017). Poor coach communication will affect athlete's performance (Blecharz & Wojtowicz, 2013).…”

“…The athletes communication referred to in this research was an intensive relationship between athletes and coaches in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. Communication in the relationship between coaches and athletes were very important factor in achieving sports goals or achievements (Nicholls et al, 2017). During the Covid-19 pandemic, athletes and coaches cannot communicate directly or face-to-face in carrying out the training programs that have been scheduled (Bijen et al, 2021).…”