National Football League head coach race,performance, retention,and dismissal

The authors tested for evidence of racial discrimination in the employment retention of National Football League head coaches. A robust data set spanning the modern history of the sport (1985–2018) was generated to examine managerial employment tenure, dismissal, and subsequent organizational performance. After controlling for performance differences and heterogeneity between head coaches, the authors uncover statistically significant evidence that Non-White head coaches experience longer employment spells relative to White head coaches in the Rooney Rule era. No statistically significant evidence of racial differences in the rate at which head coaches are fired is found. Both employment tenure and dismissal are largely driven by raw performance, and to a lesser degree, relative performance. Finally, the relationship between head coach race and organizational performance is examined, but no statistically significant differences by race are uncovered.     

Power,performance, and expectations in the dismissal of NBA coaches: A survival analysis study

Researchers focusing on coach dismissal often examine organizational performance as an antecedent; however, there has been minimal attention to the ways in which countervailing dimensions of power associated with coaches and ownership influence dismissal decisions, while still considering performance as well as expectations. To understand how power, performance and expectations affect coach dismissals, the authors examine the tenures of coaches in the North American-based National Basketball Association and use survival analysis to test a model of coach dismissals using 31 years of observations. The authors find that coach dismissal is a process influenced not only by team performance, but also expectations and a coach’s power that accrues from both structure and prestige. Additional findings suggest that expert power influences the likelihood of coach dismissal, but only after the coach has been in the job for several years. Finally, the authors found a non-linear relationship between performance and the probability of coach dismissal, suggesting that single events (i.e., wins or losses) have less influence on the probability of dismissal when performance is very poor or above average.     

优秀篮球教练员训练行为与训练行为知觉的个案研究

研究目的在于探讨优秀篮球教练员的训练行为、训练行为知觉及了解教练与运动员对训练的观点。选择国内甲A男篮主教练巩晓彬与其所训练的18名队员为研究对象,进行全年度训练的观察研究。研究结论:1)教练的训练行为次数出现最多的依次为批示、当场指导、管理行为等项,出现最少者依次为发问、肢体协助等,非指导行为多于指导行为,教练的训练行为应与训练模式化等因素有关。2)除责备一项行为外,教练与队员双方对训练行为的知觉情形相当一致,是有效训练的一种现象。3)队员与教练对训练行为的观点多数一致,但部分观点会因立场、角色的不同而呈现一种辩证的一致性。     

我国足球甲级队主教练领导行为对其队员影响力的研究

运用管理心理学和社会心理学的研究方法,对我国足球甲级队主教练的领导行为进行了深入的研究。结果发现:我国足球甲级队主教练对其队员影响力的主要因素是,道德品质因素、资历因素、感情因素。而宽容精神、创新精神和体育基础知识因素对队员影响较小。同时还发现,教练员对自身的评价并不客观,在影响力各因素的得分与队员理想得分相差甚远。由于教练员的管理能力、足球业务能力、感情因素、体育基础知识、创新精神诸因素的得分较低,影响了足球队的凝聚力和训练水平的提高。     

Coach humility and player creativity: The roles of knowledge sharing and group diversity

In this study, the authors examine how coach humility impacts creativity among the football players. The sample included players and their coaches from nonprofessional football clubs in Vietnam. Our data analyses supported the positive relationships between coach humility and player creativity via knowledge sharing as a mediator. Group diversity in terms of extroversion and openness to experience traits served as a moderator to fortify the effect of coach humility on knowledge sharing among the players.     

中国、澳大利亚网球高级教练员执教特征对比研究

对中国、澳大利亚高级网球教练员进行了对比研究。认为 ,两国教练员在队伍的管理、训练的严格要求、与队员保持良好的关系方面具有一致性。中国教练员在全面关心运动员、训练组织的严密性、鼓动性方面优于澳籍教练员。澳籍教练员在新技术的指导、技术原理的分析、陪练技巧方面优于中国教练员     

Exploring the effects of substituting basketball players in high-level teams

Substituting basketball players during competition is a key process to optimise collective performance. Available research on this topic is scarce, probably due to the difficulty in isolating these effects; thus, the aim of this study was to identify the temporal effects of substitutions in basketball (Spanish professional basketball league). The sample was composed of 1118 substitutions gathered from 21 basketball games. The analysed variables were coach-controlled (player and team’s personal fouls, player in and player out roles, player’s in and out minutes on-court and timeout situation); on-court (foul committed, free throws, 2- and 3-point field-goal effectiveness) and situational variables (scoreline, quality of opposition, game location and game quarter). The results showed positive scoring performances after the substitution for all the analyses. During the first quarter, there were significant effects for fouls committed, scoreline and game location after the substitution. The player’s out personal fouls, free-throw effectiveness, player in, minutes on-court player in, timeout situation and 3-point field-goal effectiveness were significant during the second quarter. The team’s personal fouls, game location, and scoreline were identified as important in the third quarter. The fourth quarter did not show significant effects on the independent variables. Current findings allow optimising coaches’ plans and team management of on-court and bench players throughout the game.     

Can losing teams cope with destructive voice behaviour? The role of game results and athletes’ perceived motivational climate

This study examined the relation between losing a game and players’ destructive voice about the coach. As team performances would suffer when such behaviours are not managed properly, we tested the motivational climate as a potential mechanism by which coaches can manage these destructive behaviours. Twelve volleyball and basketball teams (N = 136) were weekly assessed during eight weeks using questionnaires. Players rated the extent to which their teammates expressed destructive voice about their coach. Each player’s indegree centrality (i.e. the average score received from all teammates) functioned as measurement of his/her destructive voice about the coach. As hypothesized, losing a game increased players’ expression of destructive voice about the coach. At both the within- and between-person level, perceived mastery (performance) climate negatively (positively) predicted players’ destructive voice about the coach. When players perceived a more salient performance climate than usual after a loss, their increase in destructive voice about the coach was magnified. These results highlight the dynamics of players’ destructive voice about the coach and how a single loss can start the utterance of such voice. A coach would be able to counter this process by increasing the focus on a mastery rather than a performance climate.     

我国职业足球运动人力资源现状及对策研究

运用文献资料调研、专家访谈、数理统计等方法,对我国职业足球运动人力资源现状进 行研究,主要结论:1)我国职业足球运动的专业管理人才匮乏,急功近利思想严重;2)裁判员面 临信任危机;3)教练员队伍数量猛增但质量不高;4)运动员的流通渠道不畅,运动员的价值评价 体系尚未建立;5)后备力量数量少且存在地域发展的不平衡性;对策:1)大力吸纳职业足球运动 的急需人才;2)建议司法介入、建立财产监察制度,实行裁判职业化;3)严格教练员的培训制度, 成立教练员培训学校;4)实行国内运动员自由转会,建立职业运动员的价值评价体系;5)加大贫 困地区和足球不发达地区的后备力量培养力度。     

Basketball coaches’ experience in working with multicultural teams: Central and Northern European perspectives

This study seeks to address a gap in research regarding the perspectives of coaches working within European teams comprising both domestic and immigrated players. In order to explore coaches’ experience in working with multicultural teams, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six head coaches of professional basketball teams in Central and Northern Europe (two in Czech Republic, two in Germany, two in Latvia) and analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. The study focused primarily on communication and interaction between immigrated players and coaches, and on strategies used by coaches to overcome problems arising within multicultural teams. The findings identified three main themes: differences in values between foreign and domestic players/coaches; the formation of ethnic subgroups in teams; and race as a potentially problematic factor in coach–athlete relationships. The implications of this study include noting the importance of educational programs for coaches focused on raising cultural awareness, and recognising the need for further studies in this relatively under-researched area.     

Blaming Bill Gates AGAIN! Misuse,overuse and misunderstanding of performance data in sport

Recently in Sport, Education and Society, Williams and Manley argued against the heavy reliance on technology in professional Rugby Union and elite sport in general. In summary, technology is presented as an elitist, ‘gold standard’ villain that management and coaches use to exert control and by which players lose autonomy, identity, motivation, social interactions and expertise. In this article we suggest that the sociological interpretations and implications offered by Williams and Manley may be somewhat limited when viewed in isolation. In doing so, we identify some core methodological issues in Williams and Manley's study and critically consider important arguments for utilising technology; notably, to inform coach decision-making and generate player empowerment. Second, we present a different, yet perhaps equally concerning, practice-oriented interpretation of the same results but from alternative coaching and expertise literature. Accordingly, we suggest that Williams and Manley have perhaps raised their alarm prematurely, inappropriately and on somewhat shaky foundations. We also hope to stimulate others to consider contrary positions, or at least to think about this topic in greater detail. More specifically, we encourage coaches and academics to think carefully about what technology is employed, how and why, and then the means by which these decisions are discussed with and, preferably, sold to players. Certainly, technology can significantly enhance coach decision-making and practice, while also helping players to optimise their focus, empowerment and independence in knowing how to achieve their personal and collective goals.     

Relative age effects in professional German soccer: A historical analysis

Abstract

Relative age effects (RAEs) refer to the specific selection, participation and attainment (dis)advantages which occur as a result of physical and cognitive differences within annual age-grouped cohorts. The present study tracked the existence of RAEs in professional German soccer by examining RAEs in players, head coaches and referees who represented professional soccer clubs or officiated in the Bundesliga from 1963/64 to 2006/07. An additional objective was to consider the social-cultural mechanisms responsible for RAEs, so for a similar period, population and soccer participation information was also obtained. When players were categorised into half decade groups, chi-square analyses predominantly showed RAEs across the history of the Bundesliga, irrespective of dates used for annual age grouping in junior/youth soccer. RAEs were also apparent for head coaches but not for referees. Participation data indicated consistent and progressive growth from 1950 to 1990. RAEs influence the likelihood of attaining professional player and coaching status in German soccer. With many coaches being former players, inequalities associated with annual age-grouping appear to extend beyond a playing career. Officiating was not affected, with referees suggested to emerge from an alternative development pathway. Increased popularity of soccer may have propagated RAEs over time, through intensification of competition and selection mechanisms.     

我国皮划艇运动员竞技能力构成及其变化的影响因素研究

采用因子分析法、访谈法、调查问卷法等方法对我国皮划艇运动员不同训练阶段竞技能力变化的影响因素进行专题研究.研究结果表明：运动员训练因子、教练员执教水平因子、学习与研究因子、社会保障因子对我国皮划艇运动员竞技能力的变化产生不同性质的影响.根据研究结果挖掘出影响我国皮划艇运动员竞技能力提高的因素,提出提高有关我国皮划艇运动员训练的改进建议和措施,继而为我国皮划艇教练员、运动员进行科学训练提供借鉴作用.     

Does self-determined motivation interact with environmental contexts to influence moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during a girls’ youth sport camp?

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore whether basketball player’s self-determined motivation interacts with environmental contexts and coach training to influence percentage time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (%MVPA). Methods: A secondary analysis of data from 76 girls (mean ± SD, 10.5 ± 1.0 years) was conducted. Players were classified as high self-determined motivation (HSDM) or low self-determined motivation (LSDM) and randomised to trained (intervention) or untrained (control) coaches. Training included 2 workshops on strategies for activity-promoting practices. Girls were exposed to environmental contexts (practices and games) led by a trained/untrained coach (depending on arm) and one without coaches (free time) daily. Girls wore accelerometers each day. Using mixed random-effects models, the influence of motivation, context and training on %MVPA was analysed. Results: Trained coaches’ practices were associated with the greatest %MVPA with no difference between HSDM and LSDM players (38.28 ± 1.77%; 37.64 ± 1.80%; p = 0.66). HSDM players had significantly greater %MVPA versus LSDM players during untrained coaches’ practices (23.58 ± 1.77%; 20.51 ± 1.78%; p = 0.03). During games with trained coaches, HSDM players had greater %MVPA compared to LSDM players (23.79 ± 1.76%; 18.56 ± 1.74%; p < 0.001). No between-group difference in %MVPA during free time was found (12.85 ± 0.82%; 13.39 ± 0.84%; p = 0.64). Conclusion: The impact of individual differences in self-determined motivation on %MVPA during practices was attenuated when coaches were trained to implement activity-promoting practices.     

A case study comparison of objective and subjective evaluation methods of physical qualities in youth soccer players

ABSTRACT

Subjective and objective assessments may be used congruently when making decisions regarding player recruitment in soccer, yet there have been few attempts to examine the level of agreement between these methods. Therefore, we compare levels of agreement between subjective and objective assessments of physical qualities associated with youth soccer performance. In total, 80 male youth soccer players (13.2 ± 1.9 years), and 12 professional coaches volunteered to participate. Players were objectively assessed using five fitness measures: Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1; Countermovement vertical jump; Functional Movement Screen?; 5/20 m sprint; alongside anthropometric measures. Additionally, coaches subjectively rated each player on the same five physical qualities using 5-point Likert scales. Inter-rater agreement between ratings from lead and assistant coaches was established for each age group. Moreover, Bayesian regression models were fitted to determine how well coach ratings were able to predict fitness test performance. Although inter-rater agreement between lead and assistant coaches was moderate-to-substantial (ω = 0.48–0.68), relationships between coaches subjective rating’s and corresponding fitness test performance were only highly related for the highest and lowest performing players. We suggest that while ratings derived from objective and subjective assessment methods may be related when attempting to differentiate between distinct populations, concerns exist when evaluating homogeneous samples using these methods. Our data highlight the benefits of using both types of measures in the talent identification process.     

劳动合同法视野下职业球员工作合同的解除

劳动合同是确定劳动关系,明确双方权利和义务的协议.职业球员合同虽然与普通劳动合同存在诸多不同,但仍应受<劳动合同法>的调整.从探讨职业球员工作合同与普通劳动合同的区别出发,列举了职业球员工作合同解除的情形,包括双方协商解除、球员单方解除和俱乐部的解除.为了维护双方当事人特别是球员的利益,球员和俱乐部应对工作合同中对合同解除的情形作出明确规定,最大限度地减少纠纷的发生.     

Coaches’ perceptions of decision making in rugby union

ABSTRACT

Background: In team games situations, the ability to make fast and accurate decisions is crucial to performance. As such, effective decision making, characterised by the consistent and efficient ability to choose the right course of action at the right moment, is a key component of match performance in team sports such as rugby union. Previous research has identified pedagogical approaches to enhance decision making. However, there is dearth in research to investigate how coaches evaluate tactical decision making and subsequently develop context specific ‘on’ and ‘off-field’ coaching practices to improve it. Further, the value coaches place on decision making is under explored.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore coaches’ perceptions of decision making in rugby union. The specific objectives to meet this aim were to: (i) Explore coaches’ perceptions of the value and importance of decision making in rugby union; (ii) Identify coaches’ opinions of the key decision making moments in games and how to evaluate them; and (iii) Investigate coaches’ on and off field methods for improving players’ tactical and strategic decision making.

Participants: Purposive sampling was used to select five male coaches, whose ages ranged from 25 to 41 years, from a regional rugby union club in Wales to participate in the study. Coaching experience ranged from two years to 16 years.

Methods: The interpretative paradigm was used within the study with data collected through semi-structured interviews with academy rugby union coaches. This type of interview gathered rich, detailed and complex accounts of coaches’ opinions of players’ in-game decision making in rugby union in order to inform practice and theory. Inductive and deductive qualitative thematic analysis was used to analyse and interpret the data.

Findings: All five coaches agreed that decision making was a crucial part of the modern game of rugby union. There was some disagreement between them about the players’ autonomy to make their own decisions on the pitch and a general lack of clarity between ‘game plan’, ‘strategy’ and ‘tactics’ amongst the coaches. All the coaches agreed that the process of evaluation of players’ decision making should involve a joint discussion with the players. They also agreed that developing decision making was one of the hardest things to coach. Finally, they used a variety of ‘on’ and ‘off-field’ coaching methods to achieve this including video analysis, questioning and the use of games based scenarios.

Conclusion: This study acquired the coaches’ voice on players’ decision making in rugby union by exploring its perceived importance to them and how they evaluated and attempted to improve it. A clear attempt was made among the coaches to develop a ‘non-judgemental’ atmosphere in the evaluation and improvement of players’ decision making. Future research should consider the use of explicitation interviewing, where the interviewer (coach) aims to get the player into a state of evocation, to relive the key decision making moments in an attempt to improve it.     

“三大球”项目教练员服务型领导行为的结构及测量

研究目的构建我国“三大球”项目运动队教练员服务型领导行为的结构,并对测量量表的信效度进行检验,形成我国教练员服务型领导行为的测量工具。研究样本以WCBA球队、大学高水平足球队和排球队、进入全国分赛区的CUBA联赛、CUBS联赛球队的运动员与教练员为样本来源。研究方法访谈调查法、量表法。数据主要通过探索性因子分析、验证性性因子分析、Cronbach系数等统计方法进行处理。研究结果教练员服务型领导行为量表包括愿景、服务、授权3个维度共计12个条目,总体量表的Cronbachα系数为0.867。量表的信效度符合心理测量学的要求,可作为我国“三大球”项目运动队教练员服务型领导行为测量的有效可靠工具。     

青少年女排运动员身体测试指标的态度调查

运用文献资料法、问卷调查法和数理统计法,针对参加2009年底全国排球后备人才训练营的11个省市体校教练员对青少年女排运动员的身体形态、专项身体素质测试指标的选择与测试的重要性进行问卷调查、统计、分析,了解教练员对青少年女排运动员的专项身体素质、身体形态测试指标的选择与指标的重要性的认知态度,同时也为当前中国排球协会修订《中国青少年排球教学训练大纲》提供参考与借鉴。     

现代竞技排球运动教练员应具备的素质与能力

现代竞技排球教练员素质能力不仅关系到其自身的执教能力和水平,而且对运动员的成才和训练有着重要而深远的影响。通过对我国男排后备队伍青年男排教练员进行问卷调查,对现代竞技排球教练员所应具备的素质能力进行了分析和探讨,旨在为建立一支职业道德品质高、执教能力强的高水平教练员队伍提供参考与借鉴。