The myth of the team captain as principal leader: extending the athlete leadership classification within sport teams

Abstract

Although coaches and players recognise the importance of leaders within the team, research on athlete leadership is sparse. The present study expands knowledge of athlete leadership by extending the current leadership classification and exploring the importance of the team captain as formal leader of the team. An online survey was completed by 4,451 participants (31% females and 69% males) within nine different team sports in Flanders (Belgium). Players (N = 3,193) and coaches (N = 1,258) participated on all different levels in their sports. Results revealed that the proposed additional role of motivational leader was perceived as clearly distinct from the already established roles (task, social and external leader). Furthermore, almost half of the participants (44%) did not perceive their captain as the principal leader on any of the four roles. These findings underline the fact that the leadership qualities attributed to the captain as the team’s formal leader are overrated. It can be concluded that leadership is spread throughout the team; informal leaders rather than the captain take the lead, both on and off the field.     

The effect of abusive leadership by coaches on Division I student-athletes’ performance: The moderating role of core self-evaluations

The aim of this study was to increase our understanding of the harm of abusive leadership on followers’ performance. Student-athletes (N = 145) at a US institution completed surveys. The authors used hierarchical regression analysis and an independent samples t-test to assess the hypotheses. Consistent with core self-evaluations theory, results revealed that core self-evaluations moderate the negative relationship between abusive leader behavior and student-athlete performance, such that the negative relationship is weakened for those with higher, rather than lower, levels of core self-evaluations. Results further indicated that women student-athletes are likely to have lower levels of core self-evaluations than are men, thus highlighting the potential increased impact that abusive leadership may have on women and their performance. Implications of these findings for research, theory and practice on abusive leadership and performance are discussed.     

Leadership and satisfaction in tennis: examination of congruence, gender, and ability

The study investigated: (a) the congruency hypothesis, and (b) the member characteristics hypotheses relating to ability and gender, of Chelladurai's (1978) Multidimensional Model of Leadership. One hundred forty-eight tennis players (77 women) competing at the NCAA Division I and II Tennis Championship level participated in the study. Results indicated athlete satisfaction (Athlete Satisfaction Scale; Riemer & Chelladurai, 1998) was not dependent on the congruence between preferred and perceived leadership behavior. Other results indicated that an athlete's level of ability did affect preferences for leadership behavior. Further, while athlete gender was responsible for some variance in preferences for autocratic behavior and positive feedback behavior, the gender of the athlete's coach had a significant effect on the athlete's preferences for social support behavior.     

应重视4×100接力整体能力训练

通过对影响4×100m接力整体水平和成绩诸因素的分析,结合指导4×100m接力队训练的实践体会,笔者认为,必须重视和加强对4×100m接力的训练,特别是整体能力的训练,大胆实践,敢于革新训练方法,努力使4×100m接力的整体能力和运动成绩得到提高。     

“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。     

体能主导类项群教练员行为特点研究

向辽宁队、北京队、山东队、上海队、广东队、河南队、四川队、甘肃队以及部分项目国家集训队的体能主导类项群教练员发放问卷共计800份，通过对回收的有效问卷645份进行统计分析，并结合个案观察和访谈的结果，对我国优秀运动队不同项群教练员行为（选材行为、训练行为、比赛行为、管理行为）特点逐一进行研究探讨和对比分析，为项群理论建设和发展中对不同项群教练员行为特点的归纳，进行了理论和实践上的初步探索。     

Exploring cognitive restructuring: A multi-foci leadership perspective

Athletics teams operate in contexts where team culture fluctuates with constant change (i.e., player turnover). In such dynamic sport environments, a strong leadership core needs to be in place to effectively navigate changes in team culture. The purpose of this study was to use the multi-foci perspective of leadership to explore the values and shared leadership qualities associated with proactively managing cognitive restructuring. A case study approach was used to examine a female sport team that recently encountered a shift in team culture. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with players and coaches (N = 31) who represented both leaders and followers from a shared leadership perspective. The findings contribute to sport management theory by defining the complexity of cognitive restructuring and establishing the necessity of shared leadership (i.e., leaders and followers) during this stage of the change process.     

打造学习团队：中国自由式滑雪空中技巧集训队学习行为影响因素的质性分析

自由式滑雪空中技巧是我国冬奥雪上优势项目,一直是我国冬奥会雪上项目夺金的重点项目,在即将举行的2022年北京冬奥会上也肩负着夺金的重任。探讨这支队伍的学习行为对团队绩效的影响,可以为提升绩效水平,确保完成夺金任务提供智力支持。运用质性研究方法分析影响自由式滑雪空中技巧集训队学习行为的因素,结果表明:内部和外部因素使队员的学习行为得以产生并持续下去。内部因素由学习习惯、团队互动、目标导向、身心状态、内在素养构成,外部因素则由国家重视程度、团队冲突、领导风格、圈子、辅助工具和家庭状况构成。并提出优化团队成员学习行为的策略。     

A cross-level moderating effect of team trust on the relationship between transformational leadership and cohesion

ABSTRACT

We draw on the concept of the shared mental model to explain the cross-level direct and moderating effects of team trust on the relationship between coach transformational leadership and cohesion. Using hierarchical linear modelling, we analysed 597 national level high school and university volleyball players to test our research model. Our results revealed that, (a) at the individual level, coach transformational leadership has a positive effect on athletes’ perceptions on cohesion and (b) team trust, a group-level construct, is positively related to social cohesion and moderates the coach transformational leadership-cohesion relationship. The moderating effect demonstrates that the positive effect of coach transformational leadership on cohesion could be enhanced when high levels of team trust are shared within the group. Implications for coach education and sport psychology in terms of theory and research are discussed.     

Coaching Efficacy,Player Perceptions of Coaches’ Leadership Styles,and Team Performance in Premier League Soccer

The coaching competency research has demonstrated the role of coaching efficacy and coaching behaviors on various athlete outcomes. However, athlete perceptions of these relationships and how they affect performance are less understood. Purpose: This study examined if coaching efficacy is predictive of player perceptions of coaches’ leadership styles, team atmosphere, and team performance in a soccer season. Method: Fifteen male premier league soccer coaches (M_age = 45.27, SD = 6.07) and 226 players (M_age = 25.66, SD = 3.96) from Botswana participated in the study. All participants completed a background information questionnaire. Coaches completed the Coaching Efficacy Scale. Players rated their coaches’ leadership styles using the Revised Leadership Scale for Sports as well as team atmosphere. Team performance was based on position in the league log and player ratings of the teams’ performance. Results: Findings showed that coaches’ self-ratings on technique efficacy predicted player perceptions of the coaches’ use of all six leadership styles. Game strategy efficacy predicted higher team atmosphere and team performance. Motivation efficacy was not significantly associated with player perceptions of the coaches’ use of any of the leadership styles, while character building efficacy was negatively associated with the various leadership styles. Conclusion: Findings provide support to previous research evidence linking higher coaching efficacy, leadership styles, and team outcomes. The study expands the emergent research within the coaching competency literature that examines player perceptions of coaches’ behaviors and leadership styles.     

凝聚力对教练员领导行为、运动员角色投入和运动员满意度的中介作用

探讨我国高水平手球队凝聚力是否对教练员领导行为、运动员角色投入与运动员满意度具有中介作用。赛前使用群体环境问卷对160名参加全国女子手球锦标赛的运动员进行凝聚力测试，赛后使用运动领导行为量表、运动员角色投入问卷、运动员满意度问卷对上述运动员进行了测试。运用Baron和Kenny（1986）线性回归分析方法对凝聚力的中介作用给予检验。结果表明，运动员所知觉到的领导行为和角色投入对团队成绩满意度、团队一致满意度影响显著，但该影响由于凝聚力的加入而变小或变得不显著。说明凝聚力对领导行为、角色投入与团队成绩满意度、团队一致性满意度具有中介作用。     

Predicting Physical Activity Among Children: Investigating Interaction Effects in the Theory of Planned Behavior

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The theory of planned behavior (TPB) has been criticized for not including interactions between the variables assumed to predict behavior. This study sought to test how TPB variables interact to predict physical activity (PA) in children. Method: Four hundred thirty-eight children (M_age = 8.6 years, SD = 1.6 years) completed a TPB questionnaire and a PA questionnaire at Time 1. The PA measure was repeated 2 months later. Path analyses were performed to test the hypothesized model including interaction terms between TPB variables. Simple slopes analyses were also carried out to examine the statistically significant interaction terms. Results: Path analyses confirmed the classical hypotheses of TPB (R² for intentions = .39, R² for PA = .12) and also demonstrated only statistically significant Attitudes × Perceived Behavioral Control and Subjective Norms × Attitudes interactions (R² change for intentions = .01, p = .009). Simple slopes analyses revealed that the strength of the association between perceived behavioral control and intentions was only statistically significantly higher (t = 2.18, p = .05, d = 0.34, 95% CI [0.03, 0.65]) when attitudes were high compared with when attitudes were low. The link between attitudes and intentions was only statistically significant at a low level of subjective norms but not at a high level. Conclusion: The integration of interaction effects between TPB variables did not increase for the variance of PA explained by the model. More research appears to be necessary to explore how the TPB could be augmented to better predict PA in children.     

Field dimension and skill level constrain team tactical behaviours in small-sided and conditioned games in football

Abstract

This study analysed the influence of field dimension and players’ skill level on collective tactical behaviours during small-sided and conditioned games (SSCGs). Positioning and displacement data were collected using global positioning systems (15 Hz) during SSCGs (Gk+4 v. 4+Gk) played by two groups of participants (NLP- national-level and RLP-regional-level players) on different field dimensions (small: 36.8 × 23.8 m; intermediate: 47.3 × 30.6 and large: 57.8 × 37.4 m). Team tactical performance was assessed through established dynamic team variables (effective playing space, playing length per width ratio and team separateness) and nonlinear signal processing techniques (sample entropy of distances to nearest opponents and the teams’ centroids’ mutual information). Results showed that the effective playing space and team separateness increased significantly with pitch size regardless of participant skill level (P < 0.001, η² = 0.78 and P < 0.001, η² = 0.65, respectively). Playing length per width ratio increased with pitch size for the NLP but was maintained at a relatively constant level by RLP across treatments indicating different playing shapes. There was significantly more irregularity in distances to nearest opponents for the NLP in small (P = 0.003) and intermediate fields (P = 0.01). Findings suggest that tactical behaviours in SSCGs are constrained by field size and skill level, which need to be considered by coaches when designing training practices.     

刍议体育道德推脱

采用文献资料法,以班杜拉的道德推脱理论为切入点,研究体育道德推脱的表现及原因,认为:体育道德推脱包括四个层级八个策略,第一种层级因素是将有害行为重新解释或转化成值得尊敬的行为,包含道德论证、委婉标示和优势对比三个策略;第二种层级因素是违规者致力于降低个人应负的责任,其中包含了责任转移与责任分散两个策略;第三种层级是针对违规行为的后果,而其策略仅有结果扭曲;最后一个层级发生在行动的受害者,包含了非人性和责备归因两个策略。针对体育道德推脱提出了对策性建议:基于价值观的道德训练课、培养运动员的社会取向特质、强化团队的道德潜意识。     

Social Loafing and Identifiability: The Mediating Role of Achievement Goal Orientations

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if differences in the tendency to exhibit social loafing is a function of achievement-goal orientation and identifiability. Ninety-six males drawn from 10th-grade physical education classes responded to the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (Duda, 1992) prior to completing a 30-meter sprint task under three separate conditions: as an individual, in a team with individual performance identified, and in a team with individual performance not identified. Following a median split of the task and ego values reported, subjects were divided into high and low groups for both orientations. Sprint times were compared by means of a 2 × 2 × 3 ANOVA (task x ego x sprint condition) with repeated measures on the third factor. Findings revealed that individuals with a combined low task/high ego orientation were significantly slower in the nonidentifiable team condition than in the other two conditions, whereas high-task/low-ego-oriented individuals demonstrated consistent performance across all three conditions. While confirming that identifiability of performance is an important situational variable, the findings suggest that the dispositional factor of achievement orientation may interact to provide a more detailed explanation of the social loafing phenomenon.     

高校高水平运动队教练领导行为与团队凝聚力模型构建

通过对高校高水平运动队的问卷调查,分析我国高校高水平运动队教练领导行为、训练比赛满意感与团队凝聚力之间的关系,构建教练领导行为与团队凝聚力之间的模型,为进一步推动我国高校高水平运动队的建设提供一定的参考.     

运动员对教练员领导行为的认知差异性研究——以广西高校41支业余排球队为例

采用LSS量表对参加2010年广西大学生排球联赛的教练员和运动员进行纸笔式问卷调查,了解广西高校业余排球队教练员的领导行为现状,探讨不同特征的排球运动员在期望教练员领导行为上的差异,为提高基层业余队的训练效率提供参考依据。     

Collective team behaviour of Australian Rules football during phases of match play

Using the spatiotemporal characteristics of players, the primary aim of this study was to determine whether differences in collective team behaviour exist in Australian Rules football during different phases of match play. The secondary aim was to determine the extent to which collective team behaviour differed between competing teams and match half. Data was collected via 10 Hz global positioning system devices from a professional club during a 2 × 20 min, 15-v-15-match simulation drill. Five spatiotemporal variables from each team (x centroid, y centroid, length, width, and surface area) were collected and analysed during offensive, defensive, and contested phases. A multivariate analysis of variance comparing phase of match play (offensive, defensive, contested), Team (A & B), and Half (1 & 2) revealed that x-axis centroid and y-axis centroid showed considerable variation during all phases of match play. Length, width, and surface area were typically greater during the offensive phase comparative to defensive and contested phases. Clear differences were observed between teams with large differences recorded for length, width, and surface area during all phases of match play. Spatiotemporal variables that describe collective team behaviour may be used to understand team tactics and styles of play.     

Developing a winning sport team culture: organizational culture in theory and practice

Abstract

This case study reviews strategies for identifying, establishing and influencing sport team culture and leadership, based on Edgar Schein’s three-level theoretical model of organizational culture integrating artefacts, values and beliefs and core assumptions. Specifically, we examine the success of a professional rugby team in New Zealand, the 2014 ITM Cup champions, the Manawatu Turbos. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with past and present coaches (N = 3) and captains (N = 3). Key findings include the need to formally recognize culture, including establishing and reinforcing values, as a tangible element of sport team management practice. A flat organization structure has helped facilitate a suitable environment for collective leadership to flourish. Implications for sport and business teams are the need to acknowledge culture as a core component, and conduct a culture audit to establish the current and desired culture through an aligned combination of informal and formal transformational leadership.     

Knee biomechanics of patients with total knee replacement during downhill walking on different slopes

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to compare knee biomechanics of the replaced limb to the non-replaced limb of total knee replacement(TKR)patients and healthy controls during walking on level ground and on decline surfaces of 5°,10°,and 15°.Methods:Twenty-five TKR patients and 10 healthy controls performed 5 walking trials on different decline slopes on a force platform and an instrumented ramp system.Two analyses of variance,2×2(limb×group)and 2×4(limb×decline slope),were used to examine selected biomechanics variables.Results:The replaced limb of TKR patients had lower peak loading-response and push-off knee extension moment than the non-replaced and the matched limb of healthy controls.No differences were found in loading-response and push-off knee internal abduction moments among replaced,non-replaced,and matched limb of healthy controls.The knee flexion range of motion,peak loading-response vertical ground reaction force,and peak knee extension moment increased across all slope comparisons between 0°and 15°in both the replaced and non-replaced limb of TKR patients.Conclusion:Downhill walking may not be appropriate to include in early stage rehabilitation exercise protocols for TKR patients.