Examining the Influence of Coaching Competencies on Coach Leadership Styles: A Hierarchical Multiple Regression Approach

Abstract

Numerous studies have demonstrated that coach leadership styles are vital for athletes’ training success and game outcomes. Coaching leadership influences sports results, and previous research emphasizes the most effective coaching behaviors. Despite the acknowledged importance of coaching skills in effective sports leadership, little research has explored how coaching competencies relate to specific leadership styles. To address this gap, this study identifies key coaching competency factors linked to democratic and autocratic leadership. The research examines Ghanaian university (collegiate) athletes’ perceptions of coaching skills and their coaches’ behavioral traits. Data were collected from 308 athletes involved in college sports in Ghana. Findings showed that athletes regard motivation and game strategy as critical coaching competencies shaping their perceptions of their coaches’ democratic and autocratic leadership. While technique competency was essential for democratic leadership, it was not for autocratic leadership. Character-building skills were not a significant factor for either style. Coaching education programs, such as those in college athletic departments, can use these insights to guide professional leadership development, enhance core competencies, and foster effective coaching leadership.