Assessing autonomy-supportive coaching strategies in youth sport

Abstract

OBJECTIVES-Autonomy support is a component of the motivational climate in youth sport that may promote youth's internalization of behaviors and attitudes. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Autonomy-Supportive Coaching Questionnaire (ASCQ), a measure of two forms of autonomy-supportive coaching perceived by young athletes. DESIGN-The study design was non-experimental.METHODS-Over a six-week season, youth (N = 165) participating in a recreational summer swim league completed measures of perceived coaching behavior (weeks 1 and 5), autonomy-supportive coaching (week 5) and psychological need satisfaction (weeks 1 and 6). RESULTS-Responsesto the ASCQ could be reduced to two correlated factors representing an "interest in athlete's input" and "praise for autonomous behavior." These factors exhibited slightly different relations with perceived coaching behaviors and positively predicted coaching-associated contrasts in the satisfaction of all three basic psychological needs.

A qualitative synthesis of research into social motivational influences across the athletic career span

“…Coaches and parents appeared to dominate the authority climate, but the influence of parents reduces significantly between the specialisation and investment-mastery stages (e.g. Reeve et al 2002, Vazou et al 2005, Conroy and Coatsworth 2007a, 2007b, Garcia Bengoechea and Strean 2007, Gould et al 2008, Holt et al 2008, Fraser-Thomas and Côté 2009, Keegan et al 2009, 2010b, in press, Gearity and Murray 2011.…”

Effects of a training program to enhance autonomy supportive behaviors among youth soccer coaches

“…The coaches not only listened to the feedback of the players, but they acted upon that. Altering practice and game plans based on the feedback of the players is not an easy task (Conroy & Coatsworth, 2007). One coach explained that adapting their practice schedule to meet the desires of the athlete's was one of their biggest obstacles.…”

“…The Coach Autonomy Support Questionnaire was used to assess athletes' perceptions of their coach's autonomy support Conroy & Coatsworth, 2007). Within this questionnaire, two dimensions are identified: interest in athletes' input (e.g., "My coaches ask for my opinion about what I want to do in practice") and praise for autonomous behavior (e.g., "My coaches praise me for the decisions I make in practice").…”

Autonomy support in Physical Education: Evidence to improve the teaching process

“…Para evaluar el soporte de autonomía, se adaptó a la EF el "Cuestionario de Percepción de Soporte de la Autonomía" (ASCQ), en su validación española al ámbito deportivo (Conde, et al, 2010) del original (Conroy & Coatsworth, 2007). Consta de 9 ítems que miden dos factores: interés en la opinión del alumno, con 5 ítems (e.g., "Mi profesor me permite elegir sobre lo que hacemos en la unidad de orientación") y valoración del comportamiento autónomo, con 4 ítems (e.g., "Mi profesor me valora por las cosas que elijo hacer en la unidad de orientación").…”