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Subscribe | Labours of Sport Coaching - The Self-Determined Coach

In this episode I'm joined by Professor of Sport Coaching, Don Vinson, from the University of Worcester to discuss the perspective of Christian sport coaches. This rarely encountered conversation offers a case study of how sport coaches can align their values, and Christian faith, with a model of leadership known as servant leadership, in order to meaningfully support the many needs of athletes. A conversation which celebrates spirituality and religion within leadership in sport, for the value it brings to everyone, of Christian faith or otherwise.

Paper discussed:

Vinson, D., & Parker, A. (2021). Christian sports coaches and servant leadership. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 16(2), 304-316.

Key Takeaways

• Servant leadership in sports coaching prioritises athletes’ holistic development, focusing on their needs beyond just performance.
• Christian faith as a case study illustrates how spirituality can enhance coaching by fostering athletes’ sense of identity and purpose.
• There is an overemphasis on winning and potential abuse in talent development systems.
• Holistic development is often limited to physical, psychological, and social aspects, neglecting spiritual well-being.
• Servant leadership characteristics include humility, authenticity, and stewardship, guiding coaches to support athletes’ growth.
• Competition can be reframed as collaborative striving for excellence, not just a path to victory.
• Universality of servant leadership makes it applicable to coaches of all backgrounds, not exclusive to Christianity.
• Strength in servant leadership requires tough decisions and discipline, rooted in care for athletes.
• Call to action for coaches to reflect on their values and consider servant leadership to enhance their practice.

Chapters

00:00 Exploring the Intersection of Faith and Coaching

05:51 The Role of Servant Leadership in Coaching

08:31 Challenges in Youth Sports and Mental Health

11:15 The Importance of Spiritual Health

14:09 Values and Leadership in Coaching

16:48 The Problems Within Sports Culture

19:45 Understanding Servant and Christian Leadership

22:27 Holistic Development in Coaching

32:28 Exploring Holistic Development in Coaching

35:02 Understanding Purpose and Identity in Sports

37:11 Insights from Coaches on Faith and Purpose

40:16 The Balance of Discipline and Nurturing in Coaching

43:14 Navigating Humility and Confidence in Leadership

47:37 The Broader Implications of Servant and Christian Leadership

51:58 Competition: Striving Together for Excellence

56:03 Bridging Values and Performance in Sports

01:01:18 The Future of Servant and Christian Leadership in Coaching

Learn more about your host and access my services:

https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/

Support the show by becoming a patron:

https://labours-of-sport.captivate.fm/support

Connect with me on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjcarrollresearcher/

WORK WITH ME:

https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/

In this solo episode I go through some of the basic assumptions of motivation within sport and a sport coach's role, through a self-determination theory lens. Questions explored include who's responsible for motivating athletes, why amounts of motivation are just part of the equation, and what the relationship is between an athlete's motivational orientation and the environmental supports they receive (or not) for their basic psychological needs.

Keywords:

self-determination theory, coaching, athlete motivation, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, psychological needs, coaching strategies, sports psychology, motivation types, athlete development

Takeaways:

• The primary role of a coach is to create an environment for self-motivation.
• Motivation is not a one-dimensional concept; it exists on a spectrum.
• Intrinsic motivation is the highest form of self-determined motivation.
• Athletes are motivated by various types of motivation, not just intrinsic.
• Understanding psychological needs is crucial for fostering motivation.
• Coaches should focus on long-term motivation rather than short-term results.
• The environment plays a significant role in athlete motivation.
• Autonomy, competence, and relatedness supports affect motivation orientation.
• Self-determination theory provides a framework for understanding motivation.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Self-Determination Theory in Coaching

02:22 The Role of the Coach in Motivation

04:46 Understanding Types of Motivation

07:10 Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation

09:28 The Spectrum of Motivation Types

12:00 The Importance of Psychological Needs

14:45 The Interplay of Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness

17:07 Long-Term vs. Short-Term Motivation

19:52 Conclusion and Reflection on Coaching Practices

If you enjoy this episode, I recommend checking out these previous ones too:

Autonomy supportive coaching 101

Myths of motivating athletes - Guest appearance on Rugby Coach Weekly

The hidden dimension of motivational coach behaviour

Learn more about your host and access my consultancy services:

https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/

Support the show by becoming a patron:

https://labours-of-sport.captivate.fm/support

Connect with me on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjcarrollresearcher/

WORK WITH ME:

https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/

In this episode I sit down with Chris Duncan, Head Coach of Scotland's National Women's Hockey team and Programme Lead for Women's Pathway. We discuss leadership, strategic coordination, managing coaching dynamics, fostering and nurturing relationships, and coach development.

Lessons to be learned for those coaching within international set ups and club level set ups alike!

Takeaways

• Coaching is about guiding athletes to long-term improvement while balancing short-term results.
• Clear role definition within coaching teams improves efficiency and performance.
• Athlete development should be supported across club, school, and national programmes, not fragmented.
• A shared coaching vocabulary enhances communication and decision-making.
• High-performance teams thrive on autonomy within a structured philosophy.
• Transparent selection processes build trust and accountability.
• Authenticity in leadership fosters stronger coach-athlete relationships.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview of Coaching Responsibilities

04:57 Distinctions Between International and Club Coaching

07:34 Development Pathways in Women's Hockey

11:00 Bio-Banding and Player Development Philosophy

15:15 The Importance of Shared Language in Coaching

18:45 Building Relationships and Commitment to Player Development

22:55 Navigating Performance Feedback and Player Growth

26:31 Managing Individual and Team Development

32:40 Coaching Team Dynamics and Role Clarity

36:28 The Art of Letting Go in Coaching

39:21 Establishing Structure and Autonomy

41:44 Role Reversal: Learning Through Experience

45:29 Consistency in Coaching Dynamics

50:48 The Importance of Trust and Authenticity

01:02:41 Navigating Coaching Challenges and Feedback

01:13:09 Key Takeaways for Effective Coaching

If you enjoyed this episode, I suggest checking out these previous episodes too:

Lessons from the best coaches, with John OSullivan

Kevin Nicol - Providing structure within tactics

Managing people, with Michael Tuohy

Learn more about your host and access my consultancy services:

https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/

Support the show by becoming a patron:

https://labours-of-sport.captivate.fm/support

Connect with me on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjcarrollresearcher/