Conceptions of the coach-team relationship in the views of youth team sport coaches and athletes

Booth, SJ, Appleton, PR and Duda, JL (2025) Conceptions of the coach-team relationship in the views of youth team sport coaches and athletes. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. pp. 1-23. ISSN 1612-197X

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Abstract

While the coach-athlete relationship (CAR) has been central to understanding relational dynamics in sport, it does not fully capture the complexity of coaching in team environments. This study explored the existence of the coach-team relationship (CTR), aligned with broader coaching science that views coaching as a relational and context-dependent practice. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with coaches and athletes from competitive youth team sports in the USA. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed that the CTR was perceived as separate from the CAR and characterised by three core dimensions: passion, support, and commitment. These manifested positively (harmonious passion, integrated support, and attached commitment) or negatively (diminished passion, divided support, and detached commitment), shaping the overall team dynamic. The findings offer a foundation for advancing research into team-level relational processes and relevant information for applied practitioners working in team sport settings.