Anxiogenic behaviors of children's volleyball coaches

Abstract

Recent changes in volleyball rules, in addition to allowing coaches greater mobility during games, were sufficient to alter the behaviors assumed by coaches in their interpersonal relationship with athletes. In this perspective, the present investigation aimed to analyze the perception of male and female athletes regarding the anxiety-inducing behaviors of volleyball coaches, as well as the level of association between the anxiety-inducing behaviors of coaches and the final ranking in the competition. The investigation included 231 youth volleyball players (up to 17 years old) from 12 male teams (n=133) and 9 female teams (n=98) who competed in the final phase of the Joguinhos Abertos de Santa Catarina in 2000. The ICAT (Coach's Anxiety-Inducing Behavior Inventory), developed by Serpa (1995), was used for data collection. This questionnaire consists of 27 questions evaluating the dimensions of antagonism, decision-making, tension, and communication in the coach-athlete dyad. Data analysis utilized measures of central tendency, variability, and non-parametric statistical methods. The results showed, similarly between male and female players, higher values for anxiety-inducing behaviors in the communication and antagonism dimensions compared to the tension and decision-making dimensions. It was also found in both sexes that coaches' behaviors of devaluing athletes and demonstrating a lack of confidence in the team and the athlete are the most disturbing to players, while behaviors such as interfering with athletes' concentration routines and smiling in an unusual manner are the least disturbing. However, in comparing male and female teams, female players showed higher values than male players in all investigated dimensions. Additionally, a low association was found between coaches' anxiety-inducing behaviors and the final ranking in the competition. The findings provide relevant information on coaches' behaviors, which can help improve the harmony of the dyad in question, as well as enhance the competitive participation of male and female volleyball teams in this age group.