Is the Coach Expected to Challenge the Athletes?

In this episode, I speak with Professor Sophia Jowett. Sophia is a Sport Psychologist who lectures and researches at Loughborough University in the UK. She is an Associate Fellow and Chartered Psychologist of the British Psychological Society and she consults with athletes and coaches in a range of sports. Her research work mainly revolves around interpersonal relationships in sport with an emphasis on coaching relationships. And this is what this conversation is all about – managing and improving relationships between coaches and participants.

We speak about the definition of coaching; the unique relationship between coaches and athletes; what is leadership; the 4 C’s - closeness, commitment, cooperation and coorientation; the role of power; managing conflict; and the COMPASS model.