Coaching Efficacy and Stakeholders' Perceptions of Coaches: Relationships with National Coaching Standards

Research on coaching behaviors as well as how these behaviors relate to national standard is limited. Utilizing the conceptual framework of the National Association for Sports and Physical Education (NASPE) National Coaching Standards and the body of literature on coaching behaviors, the current study examined: (a) coaching behaviors, coach's self- efficacy and stakeholders' (i.e., athlete, parents'/guardians') perceptions of their coaches' effectiveness, and (b) an in-depth review of coaching effectiveness with a subsample of coaches (observations) as well as comparing coaching behaviors to the National Coaching Standards (NASPE, 2006). Coaches completed the Coaching Efficacy Scale (CES), while athletes and parents'/guardians' used a modified version of the CES measuring perceptions of coaching effectiveness. Observations [using the Arizona State University Observation Instrument (ASUIO)], formal and informal interviews, and document analyses [field notes, artifacts, and interviews] were used to explore coaching behaviors and perceptions of coaching experiences as they relate to the NASPE Coaching Standards. Coaches had the post positive perceptions (efficacy) of the stakeholder groups. Consistent with previous research on effective coaches, it was found that this cohort of coaches frequently used instruction (38.5%) and non-instructional (51.07%) behaviors (Becker & Wrisberg, 2008; Bloom, Crumpton, & Anderson, 1999; Kahan, 1999; Lacy & Darst, 1985; Segrave & Ciancio, 1990). Qualitative data revealed three themes related to coaching effectiveness and relationships with the NASPE Coaching Standards: (a) the structure of the program and environment, (b) pedagogical content knowledge, and (c) past athletic experiences. Findings suggest that observed coaching behaviors do not enact many of the NASPE Coaching Standards and that coaches are not be aware of the national standards.