The Influence of the Coach’s Autonomy Support and Controlling Behaviours on Motivation and Sport Commitment of Youth Soccer Players

Javier Sevil-Serrano, Ángel Abós, Sergio Diloy-Peña, Pedro L. Egea and Luis García-González
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Javier Sevil-Serrano: Faculty of Education, University of Extremadura, Av. de Elvas, s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Ángel Abós: Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, EFYPAF “Physical Education and Physical Activity Promotion” Research Group, University of Zaragoza, C/Atarazanas 4, 44003 Teruel, Spain
Sergio Diloy-Peña: Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, EFYPAF “Physical Education and Physical Activity Promotion” Research Group, University of Zaragoza, Plaza Universidad, 3, 22002 Huesca, Spain
Pedro L. Egea: Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Plaza Universidad, 3, 22002 Huesca, Spain
Luis García-González: Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, EFYPAF “Physical Education and Physical Activity Promotion” Research Group, University of Zaragoza, Plaza Universidad, 3, 22002 Huesca, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-13

Abstract: The coach is one of the most influential agents in the sport commitment of youth players. Grounded in self-determination theory (SDT), numerous studies have examined the influence of the coach’s autonomy-supportive behaviours on athletes’ motivation. However, fewer studies have examined the influence of the coach’s controlling behaviours. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyse the influence of young soccer players’ perception of their coach’s autonomy-supportive and controlling behaviours on the satisfaction and frustration of their basic psychological needs (BPN) and sport commitment. A total of 203 soccer players (86% boys), aged 10–19 years ( M = 14.88; SD = 1.54) participated. Coach autonomy support positively predicted BPN satisfaction which, in turn, positively explained sport commitment. Coach intimidation behaviours positively predicted BPN frustration, which, in turn, negatively explained sport commitment. In cross-relationships, autonomy support negatively explained BPN frustration, while intimidation behaviours and the controlling use of rewards negatively predicted BPN satisfaction. To conclude, these results suggest that it is important for the coach not only to support autonomy, but also to avoid the use of controlling behaviours, especially intimidation and controlling use of rewards, because of their influence on the motivational processes and sport commitment of youth soccer players.

Keywords: adolescents; soccer; self-determination theory; coach; motivation; motivating style; controlling use of rewards; intimidation; excessive personal control; sport commitment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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