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For this episode I'm joined by Professor Sophia Jowett to discuss what it takes for coaches to build functional, satisfying and effective coach-athlete relationships, based on Sophia's famous '3Cs+1' empirical framework developed across decades of research. We chat about the relational imperatives of coaching, observed outcomes and determinants of high quality coach-athlete relationships, as well as cross-overs and distinctions with basic psychological needs theory from both academic and practical perspectives.

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Coach observations come with benefits for aiding behavioural understanding and improvement in coaching, but we don't discuss their innate problems enough. Yet we seem to rely on observational data or perception at an increasing rate for coach education and sense making. Coach observations carry baggage, in terms of their validity and reliability and in this episode I flesh out this problem. Both through the scientific lens and the relational lens of coaching, which are best viewed - and used - synergistically to achieve meaningful learning while mitigating against errors. This conversation serve to elaborate on an argument I started in a previous episode: The information fallacy in coach behaviour change.

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If a coach is controlling but shows high relatedness towards an athlete, does the relatedness buffer the control? Not quite, it turns out. In this episode I chat to Elisa Lefever, Doctoral Assistant at Gent University, about the intriguing cautionary findings of a recent paper determining the interacting impacts of coach control and relatedness on athlete performance, anxiety, burnout, and engagement.

Paper discussed:

Lefever, E., Flamant, N., Morbée, S., Soenens, B., Vansteenkiste, M., Ntoumanis, N., & Haerens, L. (2025). Does a closer coach-athlete bond buffer or exacerbate the detrimental effects of controlling coaching on athletes’ coping and outcomes?. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 20(1), 56-69.

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Learning more about what you should do as a coach should directly help improve your behaviour, right? Not quite. More information on your what, without knowing you why and how, leads to frustration for coaches, their organisation, and propagates a false formula that sets coaches up to fail. Coaches are increasingly audited and sold monitoring products that don't fix their behavioural problems. This is wrong. My PhD research taught my that information is the start line, but understanding yourself and your surroundings better is critical for putting in place meaningful training and support that lead to real change (if change is even what should be targeted). Listen in and I'll talk you through - just don't think this information is useful without taking further steps!

If you enjoy this episode, I suggest checking out this other episode too:

Why effective coaching needs reflexivity

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

This episode explores the psychological needs of coaches in sport, prioritising coaches' own sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. I discusses how these needs impact coaches' performance and their inclination towards supporting athletes' needs by extension. As coaches we are performers and people in our own right, deserving of feeling empowered, effective, and connected. A listen for coaches, coaching teams, and operational leadership alike to consider the interaction of coach and athlete support to achieve positive outcomes.

Chapters

00:00 The Psychological Needs of Coaches

02:50 The Role of Autonomy in Coaching

06:11 Competence and Its Importance for Coaches

09:04 The Significance of Relatedness in Coaching

12:09 Creating a Supportive Coaching Environment

14:59 The Impact of Coach Need Support on Athlete Need Support

21:09 The Interconnection of Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness

24:07 The Importance of Community Among Coaches

27:12 Long-term Development and Career Pathways for Coaches

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In this episode I chat with Dadi Rafnsson about his latest research working with football clubs to establish a position specific 5 Cs psychosocial language for football coaches and players to use to tangibly bring psychology alive, as a precursor to nurturing their psychosocial development in training and on matchdays. Coaches have a massive part to play in unlocking the developmental potential of psychology in young athletes, and this latest development is a key next steps to realising our potential. I'm currently supervising a PhD project wherein establishing a bespoke psychosocial player profile for an academy forms the first part of this mission, taking massive inspiration from Dadi's work.

Paper discussed:

Rafnsson, D., Harwood, C., Steptoe, K., Matthíasdóttir, Á., Sveinbjörnsdóttir, B., & Kristjánsdóttir, H. (2025). Enhancing Role Clarity in Youth Football: Applying the 5Cs to Role Descriptions by Position. International Sport Coaching Journal, 1, 1-13.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Psychosocial Profiling in Football

01:25:31 The Role of Coaches in Psychological Development

01:28:29 Understanding the Five Cs Framework

01:31:20 Practical Applications of Psychosocial Skills

01:34:21 Developing a Common Language for Coaches and Players

01:37:15 Measuring Psychosocial Behaviors in Training

01:40:13 Integrating Psychology into Daily Training

01:43:05 The Importance of Context in Coaching

01:46:28 Commitment and Its Impact on Performance

01:49:08 Creating a Supportive Environment for Development

01:52:24 Accountability and Communication in Coaching

01:55:27 Future Directions in Psychosocial Training

02:05:12 Systematic vs. Organic Coaching Approaches

02:08:04 The Role of Emotional Control in Youth Development

02:10:45 Lessons from the Project

02:13:47 Engaging Parents in Youth Sports

02:16:55 Position-Specific vs. General Player Development

02:22:42 Cultural Influences on Coaching and Player Development

02:29:00 Balancing Performance and Psychosocial Development

02:40:43 Integrating Psychology into Coaching Practices

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

In this short episode I tackle the conundrum of advocating for athletes' autonomy within the coaching process, when the coaching process is orchestrated - and controlled - by the coach. Even when it feels like athlete choice, it’s ultimately about the coach’s agenda, right? Exploring this argument thought pokes fun at dogmatism in the context of athlete centred coaching, while simultaneously reminding autonomy supportive coaching cynics that coaches still have a duty to AIM for autonomy within their relationship with athletes. Regardless of the fragile validity of athlete autonomy in coaching.

Takeaways

• Autonomy support in coaching is complex and paradoxical.
• Control in coaching isn't inherently negative.
• True autonomy may not be fully achievable in coaching.
• Coaches always hold power and control over athletes.
• Autonomy support should be structured and guided, not absolute freedom.
• Influence is a natural part of the coaching relationship.
• Effective coaching involves nurturing athlete agency while taking control.
• Coaches should reflect on contradictions within their own philosophies.

If you enjoy this episode, I suggest you check out these other episodes too:

Reframing motivation with SDT

Autonomy supportive coaching 101

The hidden dimension of motivational coach behaviour

Learn more about your host and access my services:

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

Support the show by becoming a patron:

https://labours-of-sport.captivate.fm/support

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

In this episode, I introduce relatedness support as the lowest hanging fruit* (with an asterisk to be explained) of the three basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Relatedness support is intrinsic (no pun intended) to all functional, effective coach-athlete relationships. Yet we are guilty of taking for granted its importance. Learn how relatedness enhances and unlocks feeling of competence and autonomy, and how we coaches can support or inhibit perceptions of relatedness through every day behaviours and actions, with lots of interpersonal strategies included.

Keywords

coaching, relatedness support, self-determination theory, athlete relationships, emotional care, team dynamics, communication, social connections, motivation, sports psychology

Takeaways

• Stable and active relatedness support is crucial for effective coaching.
• Social connections enhance athlete motivation.
• Coaches must prioritise emotional care and support in its man forms.
• Self-determination theory highlights the importance of relatedness.
• A warm and approachable demeanor fosters trust with athletes.
• Coaches should be aware of team dynamics and individuals' social needs.
• Caring for athletes goes beyond technical skills (but helping athletes get better is also a form of care).
• Building a sense of community enhances athlete engagement and prosocial behaviours
• Being a good person as a coach is the simplest yet most impactful coaching strategy.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Relatedness Support in Coaching

02:25 The Importance of Social Connections in Coaching

05:18 Understanding Self-Determination Theory

07:42 Building Trust and Belonging in Athletic Environments

10:11 Effective Communication Styles for Coaches

13:02 The Role of Unconditional Regard in Coaching

15:29 Creating an Inclusive Coaching Environment

17:52 Fostering Team Bonds and Community Care

20:34 Conclusion and Call to Action

If you enjoyed this episode, I recommend checking out these other episodes too:

Autonomy support 101

Competence support 101

Reframing motivation with SDT

The hidden dimension of motivational coach behaviour

Learn more about your host and access my services:

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

Support the show by becoming a patron:

https://labours-of-sport.captivate.fm/support

Connect with me on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjcarrollresearcher/