CALL TO ACTION: Follow, rate, and share the show!

Welcome to the third installment of episodes zooming in on practical challenges associated with delivering coaching that asks questions of our capacity and desire to support athletes' sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. In this episode I discuss the trick topic of managing group size. Tune in to learn why we may act differently depending on how many athletes we're leading, coupled with our experience, confidence, man power, and underlying beliefs about priorities within our practice. You'll also receive potential solutions to mitigate these concerns.

My PhD thesis influenced this work:

STORRE: A qualitative multiple case study exploration of the antecedents of the interpersonal behaviours of youth football coaches in Scotland based on a self-determination theory framework

If you like this episode I recommend checking out these previous episodes too:

The time and place for athlete need support, and control

Managing athletes' ego involvement in youth sport coaching

Learn more about your host and access services and added resources:

https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/

Read my new THE Campus article!:

Why academics should adopt a podcaster’s mindset | THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect

Traditional coach education can often feel stale and predictable in its delivery, which limits its effectiveness. Research evidence from myself and others is making a case for coach educator to diversify their methods. In this episode I provide some creative devices to cultivate fresh intrigue and engagement, deepen reflection, and bring about individualised learning with coaches. Novel style short stories, poems, films, podcasts, and even stage plays are all discussed for their unique potential as learning tools for coaches.

Papers and materials discussed in this episode:

Roberts, S. J., Baker, M., Reeves, M. J., Jones, G., & Cronin, C. (2019). Lifting the veil of depression and alcoholism in sport coaching: how do we care for carers?. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 11(4), 510-526.

Douglas, K., & Carless, D. (2008). Using stories in coach education. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 3(1), 33-49.

'Where is the Line?' Film Exploring Duty to Care in Coaching - UK Coaching

If you like this episode I recommend checking out this one too:

The contemporary coach developer, with Timothy Jones

Learn more about your host and access services and addedresources:

https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/

Read my new article on podcasting for academics!:

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/why-academics-should-adopt-podcasters-mindset

Ever feel like right now isn't the time for athlete input when coaching, or you don't have enough time to give it, or other outside conditions are just not right? Prefer to give autonomy during particular times in a practice session, or even blocks in a season? Are you conscious of the impact of weather on your coaching behaviour? In this episode I talk through the logistical and situational challenges of coaching delivery that combines with emotions and values to create behaviour. This conversation represents part 2 of the practical challenges theme kicked off last week, and offers both justification for more controlling - or at least less autonomy supportive - coaching behaviours, as well as challenges to supposed barriers to building a more motivationally adaptive environment for players.

My PhD thesis influenced this work:

STORRE: A qualitative multiple case study exploration of the antecedents of the interpersonal behaviours of youth football coaches in Scotland based on a self-determination theory framework

If you like this episode I recommend checking out these previous episodes too:Managing athletes' ego involvement in youth sport coaching

Coach-athlete relationship masterclass, with Sofia Jowett

The problem with coach observations

Learn more about your host and access services and added resources:

https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/

Sign up to my FREE motivational psychology newsletter:
https://laboursofsportcoaching.beehiiv.com/subscribe

In the first of three episodes looking at practical dilemmas coaches face when 'doing the job of coaching', I discuss the place, role, and management of competition across training and matchday environments, specifically within youth sport from a self determination theory perspective. Beyond binary recommendations, however, the real world of coaching requires skill in managing the dosage of competition and all its interpersonal requirements to fully support athletes' psychological needs and longer-term quality of motivation.

My PhD thesis influenced this work:STORRE: A qualitative multiple case study exploration of the antecedents of the interpersonal behaviours of youth football coaches in Scotland based on a self-determination theory framework

If you like this episode I recommend checking out these previous episodes too:

Autonomy supportive coaching 101

Competence supportive coaching 101

Relatedness supportive coaching 101

Cesar Torres - A defence of competition in youth sports

Learn more about your host and access services and addedresources:

https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/

Sign up to my FREE motivational psychology newsletter:

Subscribe| Labours of Sport Coaching - The Self-Determined Coach

This week we're going back to one of the podcast's first, and most interesting conversations, with Professor Cesar Torres, a sport philosopher and historian from SUNY Brockport university in the USA. Cesar offers an alternative way of viewing and using competition when working with young sport participants, that contrasts with the popular villainisation of competition in youth sport circles.

Want to leave feedback or suggest a topic for a future episode? Get in touch: laboursofsportcoaching@mail.com

Learn more about your host and access services and addedresources:

https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/

Sign up to my FREE motivational psychology newsletter:Subscribe| Labours of Sport Coaching - The Self-Determined Coach

Community sport coaches are lacking structure on how to fulfil their roles, and there are consequences for how they behave and the motivations they develop for coaching. This issue affects coaches and their participants, and the problem reproduces as an effect of individual, team, club, NGB, and wider policy factors colliding. Tune into this episode to understand these interactions better and the implications for the coach-created motivation environment. I also offer solutions at these various levels to help cultivate a more supported, and thus supportive coaching culture in the community.

My PhD thesis influenced this work:STORRE: A qualitative multiple case study exploration of the antecedents of the interpersonal behaviours of youth football coaches in Scotland based on a self-determination theory framework

If you like this episode I suggest checking out this previous episode:

Being a parent-coach - Experiences and effects on behaviour

Learn more about your host and access services and added resources:

https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/

Sign up to my FREE motivational psychology newsletter:Subscribe| Labours of Sport Coaching - The Self-Determined Coach

When we turn up to coach, we bring all of who we are as coaches and people, including our personality, emotions, and biography. These factors drive our behaviour, therefore understanding the mechanisms is key to making progress in our behaviour. Tune in for a deep dive on both inherited and learned behaviours, as well as the roles motivations and emotions collaboratively play in making you who you are as a coach. In addition, you'll receive strategies for working with your individual makeup and surrounding influences to guide you on your personal journey.

If you enjoy this episode I recommend checking these episodes out too:

Rethinking coaching philosophy

Don't change coach behaviour, control it

The information fallacy in coach behaviour change

Learn more about your host and access services and added resources:

https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/

Sign up to my FREE motivational psychology newsletter:

Subscribe| Labours of Sport Coaching - The Self-Determined Coach

Ever considered what a coach's philosophy can and perhaps should include beyond sport specific knowledge? We use the term philosophy so much in coaching that it means everything and nothing all at once, and in this episode I sit down with Dr Mark Partington from Edge Hill University to discuss his new paper revisiting philosophy. Combining sociological theory with professional experience, Mark's paper offers new angles for discussion, from the place of metaphysics to considering whether the values coaches profess within philosophy statements are realised within actual coaching practice. Tune in to get to grips with, and understand the practical use of terms like ontology, epistemology, axiology, and reflexivity, while becoming more self-aware of the power of social influences on your coaching philosophy. You might just unlock a new level of thinking to take your philosophy, and practice, further.

Paper discussed:

Partington, M., & Cushion, C. J. (2025). Re-visiting a critical analysis of ‘coaching philosophy’: deconstruction to reconstruction. Sport, Education and Society, 1-14.

If you enjoy this episode, I suggest you check out this previous episode too:

Why effective coach reflection needs reflexivity

Learn more about your host and access my services:

https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/