"You can be my coach, but I am the one in charge". An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the importance of the coach-athlete relationship in Norwegian super-elite athletes

The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of the coach-athlete relationship for two Norwegian male super-elite athletes. By means of semi-structured interviews and the use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) the results revealed four emergent themes that represent underlying dynamics that influenced the athletes` perception of what constitute an effective coach-athlete relationship; 1) Extreme independence. 2) Coaching without skills? 3) The coach as a butler, and 4) Expectations - make it or break it. These underlying dynamics are further discussed using the theoretical frameworks of coping strategies and power with the need for control as an important common denominator.
© Copyright 2020 International Journal of Applied Sports Sciences. Korea Institute of Sport Science. All rights reserved.

Bibliographic Details
Subjects:
Notations:endurance sports social sciences academic training and research
Published in:International Journal of Applied Sports Sciences
Language:English
Published: 2020
Online Access:https://ijass.sports.re.kr/upload/pdf/IJASS_2020_v32n1_49.pdf
Volume:32
Issue:1
Pages:49-68
Document types:article
Level:advanced