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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

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

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