Training Environment
Increased female participation in sport leads to the question of what is the most effective approach. Should coaches of female players adapt different coaching behaviours to the traditional male-dominated coaching environment? Initial evidence suggests that females do need a tailored approach, one which is focused on a more collaborative, task- mastery environment rather than a performance environment often found within male team sport.
Key takeaways
- Evidence suggests that females require a different coaching approach to males.
- Positive relationships with players and coaches is important for female engagement.
- A task-mastery environment appears crucial for optimal development.
- Females appear vulnerable to stress but show higher levels of grit and cohesion.
- Autonomy-supporting environments are linked with reduced injury risk.
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The number of women and girls participating in football in England increased by 56% between 2020 and 2024 with the number of female coaches being developed up by 88% over the same period.
However women and girls coaching at grassroots
level is still dominated by male coaches.
Recent evidence suggests that females benefit from a different approach and coaching environment than the traditional male performance-focused environment. Findings show that women and girls prefer an approach that is more focused on task-mastery with different motivational strategies and communication styles in comparison to male players.
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There is evidence that women require a more collaborative environment to develop optimally with a relationship focused approach that includes being given autonomy and decision making responsibilities suggesting a transformational rather than a transactional style of coaching is appropriate. This also works as a motivational strategy, which can counteract the lower levels of confidence and self-efficacy that females can have compared to males.
Relationships with team mates and coaches are of more significance to females than males in coaching, with positive feedback and frequent instruction required for confidence, optimal development of technical skills and also enjoyment. Overall it is suggested that females respond well to a holistic approach, one where coaches show genuine care for the player in terms of their psycho-social development as well as their progress in football.
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Female youth players show distinct psychological profiles with increased vulnerability to stress and negative performance evaluation but in contrast compared to males, research suggests they have higher levels of grit, self-control and team cohesion once they trust the coach. Therefore, a psychologically supportive environment with positive reinforcement is preferred and crucial for engagement with language that supports self-perception.
A negative coaching environment, leadership style, peer pressure and lack of autonomy have all been linked to an increased risk of injury in female sport in recent studies. Research in football has demonstrated that a controlling coaching style serves as a specific injury risk factor as well as causing frustration, anxiety, and fear of failure. This approach can also lead to burnout in youth players.
Conversely, while injury risk is multi-faceted, autonomy-supportive coaching emerges as a protective factor against injury with transformative coaching environments linked with fewer severe injuries. Recent research on female youth football players revealed evidence that suggests that with inadequate coach autonomy there is an increased injury risk, even in the absence of excessive physical stress.
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