Youth athlete learning and the dynamics of social performance in Norwegian elite handball

Abstract

This study examines how the social interactions of youth handball players are entangled with the ideals, beliefs and norms associated with youth athlete learning in Norwegian handball and communicated through coaching practice. This qualitative study uses Goffman's interactional sociological lens to explore how players strategically manage their interactions with peers and coaches by balancing the risks of overuse and injury with the need to be seen as promising, committed players. Our data collection was based on four focus group interviews and five individual interviews with 24 female youth handball players. The athletes reported that they conformed with the social rules and expectations of acceptable behaviour in handball because they wished to avoid being discredited in the eyes of their peers and coaches. Additionally, they engaged with these expectations through self-censorship and behavioural caution, because doing so allowed them to sustain their identity as promising athletes within the current framework of athlete development. They also feared being perceived as less committed to their development. The findings highlight how the normative expectations of youth athletes affect their sense of agency and control, the behaviours they engage in, and their understandings of what it means to be a good athlete. An understanding of how athletes perform socially in ways that facilitate opportunities for ongoing development will help to facilitate more productive, ethical and meaningful practice and pedagogies.

Exploring the interplay of interpersonal and contextual dynamics in youth sports injuries: a comprehensive narrative review

“…A total of 15 studies were included in the review. 25 39 Overall, the predominant focus of the studies was on sports in European countries. 25 3236 37 39 Three studies were conducted in North America, 33 34 38 and one in Oceania.…”

“… 25 39 Overall, the predominant focus of the studies was on sports in European countries. 25 3236 37 39 Three studies were conducted in North America, 33 34 38 and one in Oceania. 35 The participant composition of the studies varied: eight only included female participants, 25 3034 39 one included only male participants 33 and six incorporated a mix of female and male participants.…”

“… 25 3236 37 39 Three studies were conducted in North America, 33 34 38 and one in Oceania. 35 The participant composition of the studies varied: eight only included female participants, 25 3034 39 one included only male participants 33 and six incorporated a mix of female and male participants. 3132 35 38 The size of the participant cohorts ranged between 1 and 24 athletes.…”

“… 3132 35 38 The size of the participant cohorts ranged between 1 and 24 athletes. The studies employed diverse research methodologies, including individual and group interviews, 25 2831 35 as well as ethnographic methods and participant observation. 2930 32 34 Details about the purpose of each study, the units of analysis and the key findings are presented in online supplemental material 1 .…”

Social performance study of virtual image on social media

“…In a way, a social self-presented on the front stage is in compliance with social norms, depending on the psychological expectations of the audience, and that the performer tries to portray a masked self that might not a true reflection of the individual's inner self. To this day, many people still regard cyberspace as our "second life", our escape from reality [12].…”