Influence of coaches’ motivating style on motivation, and sport commitment of young water polo players

Abstract

Coaches’ motivating style plays a key role in athletes’ motivational outcomes. However, limited research has explored the effects of athletes’ perceptions of coaches’ need-supportive and controlling styles on the bright and dark motivational pathways in the sport setting, and particularly in young water polo players, where one out of two players drops out of this sport as adults. Guided by self-determination theory, the objective of this study was to analyse the differentiated effects between water polo players’ perception of need-supportive and controlling style from their coaches on their reported basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration, motivation and sport commitment. In this cross-sectional study, 633 Spanish water polo players (33.96% women; Mage = 14.74), from 43 clubs and three age groups (U-14, U-16 and U-18) completed validated questionnaires assessing study variables. Structural equation modelling showed a positive association of players’ perceptions of need-supportive style from their coaches with their reported need satisfaction, autonomous motivation and sport commitment. Similarly, perceived controlling coaching style was positively associated with reported need frustration, controlled motivation and amotivation. Regarding cross-paths, perceived need-supportive coaching style was negatively related to reported need frustration, while reported amotivation was negatively associated with reported sport commitment. These findings suggest the importance of water polo players’ perceptions of (de)motivating styles from their coaches on their reported motivational outcomes and sport commitment. Players’ perception of coach need-supportive behaviours and, in particular, the avoidance of perceived controlling behaviours, buffer against experiences of reported need frustration and, consequently, amotivation, which seems to play a key role in preventing lack of sport commitment in young water polo players.

Identifying the Optimal Age to learn Water Polo Tactics according to Expert Opinion: Insights through Dimensionality Reduction Analysis

“…As the questionnaire was completed by a sample of experienced and educated water polo coaches, it is likely that the responses were guided or at least influenced by examples of good practice, expert opinion and developmental characteristics of children (García-Angulo et al, 2019). There is a possibility that such a clearly defined tactical curriculum will provide additional motivation for young water polo players (Murillo et al, 2022).…”

“…In the training process, the areas, intensities and sequences of the training content to be taught are determined. For young water polo players, the perception of the (de)motivational style of their coaches is very important for the motivational results they report and their sporting commitment (Murillo et al, 2022). Changes…”

The managerial skills in the game of roll ball: an indigenous game of India

“…Thus the employees' motivation -retention should be kept all the time to have a better output. (11) Coaches' motivating style plays a key role in players' motivational outcomes. Demotivating a player may result in negative result of the game.…”

“…(10) As a result, meeting the demands of coaches for the selection of suitable players at the international level based on their fundamental skill criteria has become critical. (11,12) Roll Ball is a sport that has its roots in India and has gained popularity in various parts of the world. Unlike more mainstream sports, Roll Ball requires a blend of physical skill, teamwork, and effective management to excel at both the individual and team levels.…”