Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Coaching performance and leadership behaviours in team sports

Führungsverhalten von TrainerInnen im Mannschaftssport

  • Main Articles
  • Published:
Sportwissenschaft Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate coaching performance in team sports taking leadership behaviours into focus. To do so, coaching performance was put in a literature-based frame and analysed with reference to a task structure based on the idea of hierarchical planning. The focus of the paper is on a mixed methods multi-strand study using qualitative as well as quantitative threads to develop and verify a set of coaching strategies focussing on teambuilding and team leadership. Qualitative analyses showed that coaches do have a clear understanding of forming and leading a team, which could be shown by a specific set of strategies being used by high performance coaches from different team sports (basketball, football, handball, and volleyball). These strategies could be confirmed in a sequential quantitative study analysing coaches’ and players’ attitudes towards the previously analysed schemes. The results of this study are discussed in terms of methodical and practical implications.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel des Beitrages ist eine Analyse von Trainerverhalten im Mannschaftssport, wobei der Schwerpunkt auf der Untersuchung von Führungsverhalten liegt. Hierzu wird die Tätigkeit von Trainern in einem theoretischen Rahmen abgebildet und auf der Basis einer Aufgabenstruktur analysiert, die auf dem Theorem der hierarchischen Planung basiert. Im Mittelpunkt der Untersuchung steht eine dreistufige Studie, die sowohl qualitative wie quantitative Verfahren nutzt, um Trainerstrategien zur Mannschaftsbildung und -führung zu entwickeln und zu überprüfen. Hierbei zeigen qualitative Analysen, dass Trainer aus verschiedenen Sportspielen über deklaratives Wissen und erprobte Strategien verfügen, wie Mannschaften zu formen und zu führen sind. Diese Führungsstrategien können in einer zweiten, quantitativen Studie bestätigt werden, indem sowohl Trainer- als auch Spielermeinungen über die explorierten Theoriebausteine erhoben werden. Die Ergebnisse der Studie werden abschließend bezüglich möglicher methodologischer und praktischer Auswirkungen diskutiert.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abrahams, A., Collins, D., & Martindale, R. (2006). The coaching schematic: Validation through expert coach consensus. Journal of Sport Science, 24, 549–564.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bea, F. X., & Haas, J. (1997). Strategisches Management (2. Aufl.). Stuttgart: Lucius & Lucius.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, K., & Krapp, A. (2006). Wissenschaftstheoretische Grundfragen der Pädagogischen Psychologie. In A. Krapp & B. Weidenmann (Hrsg.), Pädagogische Psychologie (S. 33–72). Weinheim: Beltz.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloor, M., & Wood, F. (2006). Keywords in Qualitative Methods. London: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowes, I., & Jones, R. L. (2006). Working at the edge of chaos: Understanding coaching as a complex, interpersonal system. The Sport Psychologist, 20, 235–245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brack, R. (2002). Sportspielspezifische Trainingslehre. Wissenschafts- und objekttheoretische Grundlagen am Beispiel Handball. Hamburg: Czwalina.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brack, R. (2008). Kompetenz und Expertise von Sportspieltrainern. In A. Woll, W. Klöckner, M. Reichmann, & M. Schlag (Hrsg.), Sportspielkulturen erfolgreich gestalten. Von der Trainerbank bis in die Schulklasse (S. 49–64). Hamburg: Czwalina.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burke, C. S., Stagl, K. C., Klein, C., Goodwin, G. F., Salas, E., & Halpin, S. M. (2006). What type of leadership behaviors are functional in teams? A meta-analysis. The Leadership Quarterly, 17, 288–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carron, A. V. (1984). Cohesion in Sport Teams. In J. M. Silva III & R. S. Weinberg (Eds.), Psychological Foundations of Sport (pp. 340–351). Champaign IL: Human Kinetics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carron, A. V., & Hausenblas, H. A. (1998). Group Dynamics in Sport (2nd ed.). Morgantown: Fitness Information Technology, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chelladurai, P. (1980). Leadership in sport organizations. Canadian Journal of Applied Sport Sciences, 5, 226–231.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioural Sciences. Hillsdale: Erlbaum.

  • Conzelmann, A., & Gabler, H. (2005). Sportspiele aus sportpsychologischer Sicht. In A. Hohmann, M. Kolb, & K. Roth (Hrsg.), Handbuch Sportspiel (S. 84–98). Schorndorf: Hofmann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Côté, J., Salmela, J. H., Trudel, P., Baria, A., & Russell, S. (1995). The coaching model: A grounded assessment of expert gymnastics coaches’ knowledge. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 17, 1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research designs: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2007). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Creswell, J. W., Plano Clark, V. L., Gutmann, M., & Hanson, W. (2003). Advanced mixed methods designs. In A. Tashakkori & C. Teddlie (Eds.), Handbook of mixed methods in social and behavioral sciences (pp. 209–240). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Creswell, J. W., Tashakkori, A., Jensen, K. D., & Shapely, K. L. (2003). Teaching mixed methods research: Practices, dilemmas, and challenges. In A. Tashakkori & C. Teddlie (Eds.), Handbook of mixed methods in social and behavioral sciences (pp. 619–637). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cushion, C. J., Armour, K. M., & Jones, R. L. (2006). Locating the coaches process in practice: Models ‘for’ and ‘of’ coaching. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 11(1), 83–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Day, D. V., Gronn, P., & Salas, E. (2004). Leadership capacity in teams. The Leadership Quarterly, 15, 857–880.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erzberger, C., & Kelle, U. (2003). Making inferences in mixed-methods evaluation: The rules of integration. In A. Tashakkori & C. Teddlie (Eds.), Handbook of mixed methods in social and behavioral sciences (pp. 457–488). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feltz, D. L., Chase, M. A., Moritz, S. E., & Sullivan, P. J. (1999). A Conceptual model of Coaching Efficacy: Preliminary Investigation and Instrument Development. Journal of Educational Psychology, 91, 765–776.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, W., & Trudel, P. (2004). Analysis of coaching science research published from 1970–2001. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 75, 388–399.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Haag, H. (2010). Concept of research. In H. Haag (Ed.), Research Methodology for Sport and Exercise Science. A comprehensive introduction for study and research (2nd ed, pp. 101–126). Berlin: Logos.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hohmann, A. (1994). Grundlagen der Trainingssteuerung im Sportspiel. Hamburg: Czwalina.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, P., & Delehanty, H. (1995). Sacred Hoops. Spiritual Lessons of a hardwood warrior. New York: Hyperion.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, R. B., & Christensen, L. B. (2004). Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods (2nd ed.). Boston: Pearson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, R. L., Armour, K. M., & Potrac, P. (2003). Constructing expert knowledge: A case study of a top-level professional football coach. Sport, Education and Society, 8, 213–229.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jowett, S., & Cockerill, I. (2002). Incompatibility in the coach-athlete relationship. In I. Cockerill (Ed.), Solutions in Sport Psychology (pp. 16–31). London: Thomson.

    Google Scholar 

  • König, S. (2004). Belastungen für Lehrkräfte im Sportunterricht. Sportwissenschaft, 34, 152–165.

    Google Scholar 

  • König, S. (2007). Strategische Planungsprozesse von Sportspieltrainerinnen und – trainern. Spectrum der Sportwissenschaften, 19(2), 22–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • König, S. (2008). Die Strukturen der Sieger – Überlegungen zu einer Theorie der Mannschaftsführung in Sportspielen. In A. Woll, W. Klöckner, M. Reichmann, & M. Schlag (Hrsg.), Sportspielkulturen erfolgreich gestalten. Von der Trainerbank bis in die Schulklasse (S. 25–38). Hamburg: Czwalina.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krathwohl, D. R. (2004). Methods of educational and social science research: An integrated approach (2nd ed.). Long Grove: Waveland Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krippendorf, K. (2004). Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lames, M. (1998). Leistungsfähigkeit, Leistung und Erfolg – ein Beitrag zur Theorie der Sportspiele. Sportwissenschaft, 28, 137–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lüschen, G. (1984). Status Crystallization, Social Integration, and Sport. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 19, 283–294.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyle, J. (2002). Sports coaching concepts: A framework for coaches’ behaviour. London: Routlegde.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacLean, J. C., & Chelladurai, P. (1995). Dimensions of coaching performance: Development of a scale. Journal of Sport Management, 9, 194–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayring, P. (2000). Qualitative Inhaltsanalyse. Grundfragen und Techniken (7. Aufl.). Weinheim: Deutscher Studien Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayring, P. (2002). Einführung in die Qualitative Sozialforschung. Weinheim und Basel: Beltz.

    Google Scholar 

  • Memmert, D., & König, S. (2007). Teaching games in elementary schools. International Journal of Physical Education, XLIV(2), 54–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miethling, W. D. (2007). Biographical developments of physical education teachers—focusing on stress situations. International Journal of Physical Education, XLIV(1), 12–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morse, J. M. (1991). Approaches to qualitative-quantitative methodological triangulation. Nursing Research, 40(1), 120–123.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Patton, M. Q. (2012). Essentials of Utilization-focused Evaluation. Los Angeles: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pfohl, H. C., & Stölzle, W. (1997). Planung und Kontrolle (2. Aufl.). München: Verlag Franz Vahlen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Potrac, P., Brewer, C., Jones, R., Armour, K., & Hoff, J. (2000). Toward a holistic understanding of the coaching process. Quest, 52, 186–199.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ridenour, C. S., & Newmann, I. (2008). Mixed methods research: Exploring the interactive continuum. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roth, K. (Ed.). (1996). Techniktraining im Spitzensport. Alltagstheorien erfolgreicher Trainer. Köln: Sport und Buch Strauß GmbH.

  • Smoll, F. L., & Smith, R. E. (1989). Leadership behaviors in sport: A theoretical model and research paradigm. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 19, 1522–1551.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strean, W. B., Senecaal, K. L., Howlett, S. G., & Burges, J. M. (1997). Xs and Os and what the coach knows: Improving team strategy through critical thinking. The Sport Psychologist, 11, 243–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (Eds.). (2003). Handbook of mixed Methods in Social and Behavioral Research. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

  • Teddlie, C., & Tashakkori, A. (2009). Foundations of Mixed Method Research. Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Los Angeles: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teddlie, C., & Yu, F. (2007). Mixed methods sampling: A typology with examples. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1, 77–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trudel, P., & Gilbert, W. (2006). Coaching and coach education. In D. Kirk, D. MacDonald, & M. O’Sullivan (Eds.), Handbook of Physical Education (pp. 516–519). London: Sage.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Vickers, J. N., Reeves, M. A., Chambers, K. L., & Burgess, J. M. (2004). Decision training: Cognitive Strategies for enhancing motor performance. In A. M. Williams, & N. J. Hodges (Eds.), Skill acquisition in sport: Research, theory and practice (pp. 103–1120). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilhelm, A. (2001). Im Team zum Erfolg. Lengerich: Pabst.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest.

The author declares that there are no actual or potential conflicts of interest in relation to this article.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pädagogische Hochschule Weingarten, Kirchplatz 2, 88250, Weingarten, Germany

    Stefan König

Authors
  1. Stefan König
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stefan König.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

König, S. Coaching performance and leadership behaviours in team sports. Sportwiss 43, 253–263 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12662-013-0309-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12662-013-0309-5

Keywords

Schlüsselwörter

Search

Navigation