An exploration of coaches’ and sport psychologists’ experiences of managing performance blocks

Abstract

This study examined coaches’ and sport psychologists’ experiences of managing performance blocks and the mechanisms they adopted in supporting athletes who experience them. This qualitative study adopted a constructivist philosophical paradigm. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with elite coaches (n = 8) and HCPC-registered sport psychologists (n = 7). Following transcription, interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings indicated that managing performance blocks is a complex and dynamic process whereby participants iteratively moved through five stages (i.e., understanding the athlete, intervening in performance blocks, experiencing the emotional rollercoaster, coping with emotions, and learning). From an applied perspective, findings encourage coaches and sport psychologists to create trusting relationships with the athlete and demonstrate an emotional understanding of athletes’ needs. Findings indicate that lowering the psychological demand and increasing the athletes’ coping resources such as by offering emotional support is an important strategy in the management of performance blocks. Lay summary: This article explores eight coaches’ and seven sport psychologists’ experiences of managing performance blocks. Coaches and sport psychologists continually shifted between five stages in understanding and supporting athletes’ experiences of performance blocks. Findings highlight the importance of trusting and collaborative relationships, emotional intelligence, and coping strategies when managing performance blocks.