Fostering Autonomy: Navigating Coach–Athlete Dynamics Through Communication Rules in Youth Sport

Abstract

Abstract: With the onset of adolescence, young athletes undergo a variety of psychological changes, including an increased need for autonomy. This can lead to tensions in the coach–athlete relationship. However, creating an empowering climate with autonomy-supportive practices can mitigate possible conflicts. This article describes a sport psychological intervention aimed at creating an empowering climate by establishing communication rules between athletes and their coaches for a potentially conflictual topic, in which athletes increasingly strive for autonomy (i. e., pain management). In a workshop series, young female gymnasts and their coaches worked first individually and then jointly to collaboratively enhance communication between one another. By encouraging gymnasts and coaches to view situations from each other’s perspectives, both parties recognized areas for improvement. Subsequently, they collaboratively established communication rules that not only enhanced the effectiveness of their interaction but also fostered autonomy in their communication processes. Fundamental insights derived from the intervention can be applied to many sports, different conflicts, and across a spectrum of coach–athlete relationships.