WATCH ME PRESENT AT UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING & SPORTSCOTLANDCOACHING SYMPOSIUM 18TH NOVEMBER 2025.
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| University of Stirling & sportscotland Coaching Symposium
In the small corner of motivational psychology for coaching, self-determination theory reigns supreme for its modern and empirically backed view of athlete behaviour and environmental supports. So much so that alternative view points have been largely cast aside and rarely discussed. Maslow's hierarchy of needs is one such model. While not without its faults and increasing datedness, Maslow's worldview still holds relevant and useful insights that - when combined synergistically with a more modern outlook - can aid coaches in problem solving athlete motivation and supporting long term athlete development. Tune into this episode to learn how balancing hierarchy and universality can help coaches meet athletes' needs across ages and stages - from - in Maslow's words - building safety and belonging to inspiring purpose and self-actualisation. Sound familiar?
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WATCH ME PRESENT AT UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING & SPORTSCOTLANDCOACHING SYMPOSIUM 18TH NOVEMBER 2025.
REGISTER FOR FREE BELOW.
| Universityof Stirling & sportscotland Coaching Symposium
In this episode I’m joined by Professor Alan Chu to discusshis recent paper looking at the intersectionality of race, gender, and skill level as potential determinants for the way individuals experience the coach-created motivation environment. It turns out that athletes’ identity characteristics can have unique effects not only on how they see coaches’ motivational behaviours, but also how they feel about the level of psychological needs support we offer. This conversation offers a nuanced insight into the collectiveeffects of identity characteristics on athletes’ perceived empowerment vs disempowerment in sport, and led to interesting speculation on potential causes to ponder,including the influence of culture on coach behaviour and athlete motivation.
Paper discussed in this episode:
Chu, T. L. A., Treacy, A., Moore, E. W. G., Petrie, T. A.,Albert, E., & Zhang, T. (2024). Intersectionality matters: Gender, race/ethnicity, and sport level differentiate perceived coach-created motivational climates and psychological needs. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 13(1), 59-75.
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When you plan, deliver, and reflect on your coaching practice, you may not recognise that your beliefs and behaviours can be traced back to higher order paradigms of thought, playing out at the various metaphysical levels. In this episode I seek to increase your awareness by offering examples of some (not all) coaching paradigms, breaking each one down according to their ontological, epistemological, methodological, and axiological positionings for cohesive understanding. The paradigms discussed - and in some cases combined - include behaviourism, constructivism, embodiment, pragmatism, and ecological dynamics, to spark your curiosity. Listen in to unlock deeper and more focused thinking and subsequent practice as a coach.
If you like this episode, I recommend these other episodes too:
Rethinking coaching philosophy
Coaching as a science, with John Lyle
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https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/
CALL TO ACTION: Follow, rate, and share the show!
In this episode I play with the notion of free will being an illusion in a fully deterministic world, and what this would mean for how coaches treat athletes and themselves.
My thoughts are based on neurobiological and cultural arguments presented in Robert Sapolsky's fascinating book 'Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will', which I recently read. I take the book's central themes and consider the overlap with my own research on influences on coach behaviour, to help it make sense for sport coaches. The jury is still out on the arguments for and against free will, but playing along in this episode can help unlock new learning about luck, empathy, and patience in sport. While still providing a pathway for changing your own or others' behaviour through leaning into our 'machine-ness'!
If you like this episode, I recommend these other episodes too:
Don't change coach behaviour, control it. A salutogenic approach to talent development, with Andrew Kirkland.
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https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/
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In this episode I offer strategies for supporting players’ three basic psychological needs during each part of a matchday, from when they first arrive to pregame preparations to half time talks to side line behaviour in itself. Opportunities for heightened autonomy, competence, and relatedness are everywhere during competitions, as are restrictions if we’re not thinking proactively as coaches. So tune in to find out more.
If you like this episode, I recommend these other episodes too:
Managing athletes’ ego involvement in youth sport coaching
Ancelotti's half-time team talk coach, Eamon Devlin
Kevin Nicol - Providing structure within tactics
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https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/
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Welcome to the third installment of episodes zooming in on practical challenges associated with delivering coaching that asks questions of our capacity and desire to support athletes' sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. In this episode I discuss the trick topic of managing group size. Tune in to learn why we may act differently depending on how many athletes we're leading, coupled with our experience, confidence, man power, and underlying beliefs about priorities within our practice. You'll also receive potential solutions to mitigate these concerns.
My PhD thesis influenced this work:
If you like this episode I recommend checking out these previous episodes too:
The time and place for athlete need support, and control
Managing athletes' ego involvement in youth sport coaching
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https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/
Read my new THE Campus article!:
Why academics should adopt a podcaster’s mindset | THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect
Traditional coach education can often feel stale and predictable in its delivery, which limits its effectiveness. Research evidence from myself and others is making a case for coach educator to diversify their methods. In this episode I provide some creative devices to cultivate fresh intrigue and engagement, deepen reflection, and bring about individualised learning with coaches. Novel style short stories, poems, films, podcasts, and even stage plays are all discussed for their unique potential as learning tools for coaches.
Papers and materials discussed in this episode:
Roberts, S. J., Baker, M., Reeves, M. J., Jones, G., & Cronin, C. (2019). Lifting the veil of depression and alcoholism in sport coaching: how do we care for carers?. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 11(4), 510-526.
Douglas, K., & Carless, D. (2008). Using stories in coach education. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 3(1), 33-49.
'Where is the Line?' Film Exploring Duty to Care in Coaching - UK Coaching
If you like this episode I recommend checking out this one too:
The contemporary coach developer, with Timothy Jones
Learn more about your host and access services and addedresources:
https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/
Read my new article on podcasting for academics!:
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/why-academics-should-adopt-podcasters-mindset
Ever feel like right now isn't the time for athlete input when coaching, or you don't have enough time to give it, or other outside conditions are just not right? Ever considered the impact of weather on your coaching behaviour? In this episode I talk through the logistical and situational challenges of coaching delivery that combines with emotions and values to create behaviour. This conversation represents part 2 of the practical challenges theme kicked off last week, and offers both justification for more controlling - or at least less autonomy supportive - coaching behaviours, as well as challenges to supposed barriers to building more motivationally adaptive environment for players.
My PhD thesis influenced this work:
If you like this episode I recommend checking out these previous episodes too:Managing athletes' ego involvement in youth sport coaching
Coach-athlete relationship masterclass, with Sofia Jowett
The problem with coach observations
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https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/
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In the first of three episodes looking at practical dilemmas coaches face when 'doing the job of coaching', I discuss the place, role, and management of competition across training and matchday environments, specifically within youth sport from a self determination theory perspective. Beyond binary recommendations, however, the real world of coaching requires skill in managing the dosage of competition and all its interpersonal requirements to fully support athletes' psychological needs and linger term quality of motivation.
My PhD thesis influenced this work:STORRE: A qualitative multiple case study exploration of the antecedents of the interpersonal behaviours of youth football coaches in Scotland based on a self-determination theory framework
If you like this episode I recommend checking out these previous episodes too:
Autonomy supportive coaching 101
Competence supportive coaching 101
Relatedness supportive coaching 101
Cesar Torres - A defence of competition in youth sports
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https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/
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Subscribe| Labours of Sport Coaching - The Self-Determined Coach
This week we're going back to one of the podcast's first, and most interesting conversations, with Professor Cesar Torres, a sport philosopher and historian from SUNY Brockport university in the USA. Cesar offers an alternative way of viewing and using competition when working with young sport participants, that contrasts with the popular villainisation of competition in youth sport circles.
Want to leave feedback or suggest a topic for a future episode? Get in touch: laboursofsportcoaching@mail.com
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https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/
Sign up to my FREE motivational psychology newsletter:Subscribe| Labours of Sport Coaching - The Self-Determined Coach
Community sport coaches are lacking structure on how to fulfil their roles, and there are consequences for how they behave and the motivations they develop for coaching. This issue affects coaches and their participants, and the problem reproduces as an effect of individual, team, club, NGB, and wider policy factors colliding. Tune into this episode to understand these interactions better and the implications for the coach-created motivation environment. I also offer solutions at these various levels to help cultivate a more supported, and thus supportive coaching culture in the community.
My PhD thesis influenced this work:STORRE: A qualitative multiple case study exploration of the antecedents of the interpersonal behaviours of youth football coaches in Scotland based on a self-determination theory framework
If you like this episode I suggest checking out this previous episode:
Being a parent-coach - Experiences and effects on behaviour
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https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/
Sign up to my FREE motivational psychology newsletter:Subscribe| Labours of Sport Coaching - The Self-Determined Coach
When we turn up to coach, we bring all of who we are as coaches and people, including our personality, emotions, and biography. These factors drive our behaviour, therefore understanding the mechanisms is key to making progress in our behaviour. Tune in for a deep dive on both inherited and learned behaviours, as well as the roles motivations and emotions collaboratively play in making you who you are as a coach. In addition, you'll receive strategies for working with your individual makeup and surrounding influences to guide you on your personal journey.
If you enjoy this episode I recommend checking these episodes out too:
Rethinking coaching philosophy
Don't change coach behaviour, control it
The information fallacy in coach behaviour change
Learn more about your host and access services and added resources:
https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/
Sign up to my FREE motivational psychology newsletter:
Subscribe| Labours of Sport Coaching - The Self-Determined Coach
Ever considered what a coach's philosophy can and perhaps should include beyond sport specific knowledge? We use the term philosophy so much in coaching that it means everything and nothing all at once, and in this episode I sit down with Dr Mark Partington from Edge Hill University to discuss his new paper revisiting philosophy. Combining sociological theory with professional experience, Mark's paper offers new angles for discussion, from the place of metaphysics to considering whether the values coaches profess within philosophy statements are realised within actual coaching practice. Tune in to get to grips with, and understand the practical use of terms like ontology, epistemology, axiology, and reflexivity, while becoming more self-aware of the power of social influences on your coaching philosophy. You might just unlock a new level of thinking to take your philosophy, and practice, further.
Paper discussed:
Partington, M., & Cushion, C. J. (2025). Re-visiting a critical analysis of ‘coaching philosophy’: deconstruction to reconstruction. Sport, Education and Society, 1-14.
If you enjoy this episode, I suggest you check out this previous episode too:
Why effective coach reflection needs reflexivity
Learn more about your host and access my services:
https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/
Feedback if LoSC impacts your practice:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/rJEqYsDpCm
It is solid advice to nurture your athletes' internal drivers through autonomy-supportive coaching for sustainable, long term motivation and a range of positive benefits. But there are times when short term impacts matter too, and situations and personalities call for a responsibly managed controlling coaching approach to elicit immediate reactions from athletes. In this episode I talk through this case, building on clues left by research evidence and drawing on my professional practice to offer a nuanced argument for taking full advantage of all behavioural regulators as and when needed in coaching, for a short while at least.
Paper discussed:
Pelletier, L. G., Fortier, M. S., Vallerand, R. J., & Briere, N. M. (2001). Associations among perceived autonomy support, forms of self-regulation, and persistence: A prospective study. Motivation and emotion, 25, 279-306.
If you like this episode, I suggest checking out these episodes too:
Don't change behaviour, control it
Reframing motivation with SDT
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Visit website: https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/
Feedback if LoSC impacts your practice:
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Nowadays we're almost told what the correct coaching behaviours are. Particularly where motivational behaviours are concerned. But what happens when popular coaching styles clash with your authentic, and most effective, self? In this episode I argue the case for behaviour control, not change, and champion the coach's prerogative to reject popular behaviours or at very least put them on the periphery of your tool kit in order to care for what makes you YOU, when that's acceptable (outside of extreme/harmful cases). But, there are qualifiers here. Tune in to hear more and perhaps embrace my control first, change last behavioural framework. Lets mitigate, not erase; monitor, not correct; channel self-awareness, not self-censorship.
If you like this episode, I suggest checking out these episodes too:
- The problem with coach observations
- The information fallacy in coach behaviour change
Learn more about your host and access my services:
https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/
Connect with me on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjcarrollresearcher/
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In this episode I'm joined by Professor of Sport Psychology Adam Nicholls from University of Hull to consider the complimentary role sport psychologists can play in coach-led processes, shining a light on where the blame lies in cases of disagreement from both sides of the fence. We also chat about how coaches can utilise mental skills with not just athletes, but also themselves, while at the same time problematising coping strategies in dysfunctional sporting environments. The conversations leads to discussing career planning within coaching, and why coaches are willing to forgo stable working conditions and mental wellbeing in search of positions of high status and the chance for glory.
Learn more about your host and access my services: https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/
Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjcarrollresearcher/
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Subscribe| Labours of Sport Coaching - The Self-Determined Coach
For this episode I'm joined by Professor Sophia Jowett to discuss what it takes for coaches to build functional, satisfying and effective coach-athlete relationships, based on Sophia's famous '3Cs+1' empirical framework developed across decades of research. We chat about the relational imperatives of coaching, observed outcomes and determinants of high quality coach-athlete relationships, as well as cross-overs and distinctions with basic psychological needs theory from both academic and practical perspectives.
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https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjcarrollresearcher/
Sign up to my FREE motivational psychology newsletter:Subscribe| Labours of Sport Coaching - The Self-Determined Coach
Coach observations come with benefits for aiding behavioural understanding and improvement in coaching, but we don't discuss their innate problems enough. Yet we seem to rely on observational data or perception at an increasing rate for coach education and sense making. Coach observations carry baggage, in terms of their validity and reliability and in this episode I flesh out this problem. Both through the scientific lens and the relational lens of coaching, which are best viewed - and used - synergistically to achieve meaningful learning while mitigating against errors. This conversation serve to elaborate on an argument I started in a previous episode: The information fallacy in coach behaviour change.
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https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/
Connect with me on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjcarrollresearcher/
Sign up to my FREE motivational psychology newsletter:Subscribe| Labours of Sport Coaching - The Self-Determined Coach
If a coach is controlling but shows high relatedness towards an athlete, does the relatedness buffer the control? Not quite, it turns out. In this episode I chat to Elisa Lefever, Doctoral Assistant at Gent University, about the intriguing cautionary findings of a recent paper determining the interacting impacts of coach control and relatedness on athlete performance, anxiety, burnout, and engagement.
Paper discussed:
Lefever, E., Flamant, N., Morbée, S., Soenens, B., Vansteenkiste, M., Ntoumanis, N., & Haerens, L. (2025). Does a closer coach-athlete bond buffer or exacerbate the detrimental effects of controlling coaching on athletes’ coping and outcomes?. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 20(1), 56-69.
Learn more about your host and access my services:
https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/consultancy/
Connect with me on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjcarrollresearcher/
Sign up to my FREE motivational psychology newsletter:Subscribe| Labours of Sport Coaching - The Self-Determined Coach
Learning more about what you should do as a coach should directly help improve your behaviour, right? Not quite. More information on your what, without knowing you why and how, leads to frustration for coaches, their organisation, and propagates a false formula that sets coaches up to fail. Coaches are increasingly audited and sold monitoring products that don't fix their behavioural problems. This is wrong. My PhD research taught my that information is the start line, but understanding yourself and your surroundings better is critical for putting in place meaningful training and support that lead to real change (if change is even what should be targeted). Listen in and I'll talk you through - just don't think this information is useful without taking further steps!
If you enjoy this episode, I suggest checking out this other episode too:
Why effective coaching needs reflexivity
Feedback if LoSC impacts your practice: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/rJEqYsDpCm
Become a patron: https://shorturl.at/QgMCF
Visit website: https://markjcarrollcoaching.wordpress.com/
Connect with me on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjcarrollresearcher/
