ASSESSMENT OF COACHING BEHAVIOR STYLES AS PREDICTORS OF ATHLETES’ OVERALL PERFORMANCE IN COMPETITIVE SPORTS: A CASE STUDY OF GUJRANWALA DIVISION

Abstract

Background: Coaching behaviour styles play a crucial role in shaping athletes’ psychological development and performance outcomes in competitive sports. Athlete-centred coaching approaches have been widely associated with improved motivation, skill acquisition, and performance; however, empirical evidence from Pakistan remains limited. This study investigated coaching behaviour styles as predictors of athletes’ overall performance in competitive sports within the Gujranwala Division.

Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional research design was employed. The sample consisted of 160 athletes and 40 coaches from competitive sports including cricket, athletics, and hockey, selected through purposive sampling. Coaching behaviour styles were assessed using the Leadership Scale for Sports (LSS), measuring Training and Instruction, Democratic Behaviour, Autocratic Behaviour, Social Support, and Positive Feedback. Athletes’ overall performance was measured using a standardized performance assessment scale. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis.

Results: The findings revealed significant positive correlations between athlete-centred coaching behaviours and overall performance, including Training and Instruction (r = 0.66, p < .01), Democratic Behaviour (r = 0.62, p < .01), Social Support (r = 0.61, p < .01), and Positive Feedback (r = 0.64, p < .01). In contrast, Autocratic Behaviour demonstrated a significant negative correlation with performance (r = −0.30, p < .01). Multiple regression analysis indicated that coaching behaviour styles collectively explained 48% of the variance in athletes’ performance (R² = 0.48, p < .001), with Training and Instruction (β = 0.34, p < .01) and Positive Feedback (β = 0.29, p < .01) emerging as the strongest predictors.

Conclusion: The study concludes that athlete-centred coaching behaviour styles significantly enhance athletes’ overall performance, whereas autocratic coaching practices may hinder performance outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of promoting supportive, instructional, and participatory coaching approaches through coach education and professional development programs, particularly within the Pakistani sports context.