When to Involve Athletes in Decision Making and When to Lead: A Guide for Coaches
Coaches are more than just instructors—they are leaders who profoundly impact their athletes. Every coach's crucial question is: When should athletes be involved in discussions and decision-making, and when should the coach take command? The answer to this question lies in understanding effective leadership and knowing when to adopt different coaching styles.
The Powerful Influence of Coaches
Coaches have tremendous influence over athletes' sports experiences. Studies show that they can shape an athlete's confidence, motivation, well-being, performance, and even their decision to continue or drop out of the sport (Coatsworth & Conroy, 2006; Fraser-Thomas et al., 2008; Price & Weiss, 2013). Coaches' decisions and communication with their athletes often leave a lasting impact. Therefore, coaching is not just about control but about positively influencing athletes to achieve their goals.
A common misconception is that leadership equates to control. While maintaining authority is essential, true leadership goes beyond that. Effective leaders earn respect rather than demand it. They balance command with collaboration, involving athletes in decision-making when appropriate to foster development, trust, and engagement.
The Three Coaching Styles
Command Style: This style is characterized by the coach making all decisions and giving direct commands to athletes. While this approach can be efficient and organized, it stifles creativity, motivation, and long-term growth. Command style is best reserved for crises where quick, decisive action or discipline needs to be enforced.
Submissive Style: In this approach, the coach makes minimal decisions and provides little instruction. Athletes are left to guide themselves. While this style allows for free play and decision-making in small doses, using it consistently fails to provide athletes with the necessary leadership and guidance. It is generally not an effective long-term strategy.
Cooperative Style: The cooperative approach blends leadership with collaboration. Coaches maintain their authority but also involve athletes in decision-making. This style builds physical and technical skills and important life skills such as decision-making, leadership, and self-management. Coaches using the cooperative style know when to give direction and when to let athletes contribute.
When to Involve Athletes
Involving athletes in decision-making empowers them and fosters engagement. Here are key moments when athletes should be involved:
- Goal Setting: Allowing athletes to set team or individual goals increases their ownership and commitment.
- Tactical Discussions: Asking for athlete input on strategies can boost creativity and engagement, especially with experienced athletes with insight into the game.
- Problem Solving: When teams face challenges, involving athletes in finding solutions builds trust and leadership within the group.
- During Developmental Phases: In the off-season or practice, involving athletes in how training is structured can help tailor programs to their needs and increase buy-in.
When Coaches Should Take Command
There are moments when athletes expect the coach to lead decisively:
- Crisis Situations: In high-pressure moments, such as during a game's final seconds, athletes need the coach to step in and make quick, clear decisions.
- Enforcing Discipline: When team rules are broken or negative behavior arises, the coach needs to take command to maintain order and uphold standards.
- Skill Development: When teaching new skills or techniques, coaches must give clear instructions, as athletes may lack the knowledge to guide themselves.
Blending Styles for Effective Leadership
No one coaching style works all the time. The most effective coaches blend command, cooperative, and submissive styles, depending on the situation. For example, a coach might use the command style during a critical game but switch to a cooperative style during a team meeting where athlete input is valuable. Similarly, coaches might observe without intervening during practice to assess athlete decision-making.
Developing Your Authentic Coaching Style
Being an effective coach is not about copying someone else's style but about finding a leadership approach that is authentic to you. Cooperative coaches, in particular, come in many forms. Some are loud and energetic, while others are quiet and reserved. The key is to lead in a way that reflects your personality and builds a strong, positive relationship with your athletes.
In conclusion, effective leadership as a coach means knowing when to involve athletes in the decision-making process and when to take control. Coaches who master this balance create a positive, engaging environment that motivates athletes and fosters long-term success on and off the field. By adopting a cooperative approach and remaining flexible, coaches can refine their leadership skills and make a lasting impact on their athletes' lives.