Athlete’s perceptions of Basic Need Fulfilment; the role of the coach and the effects and consequences

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to establish female basketball athlete’s perception of Basic Need fulfilment, the role of the coach and the effects and consequences this has on performance. The rationale of the study was too effectively accumulate themes within the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction Scale and to then relate to the findings in order to a greater understanding of how coaches’ influence needs, the effects on a day-to-day basis and how they are detrimental to performance in a competitive and training situation. A method developed from Ng et al, (2010) an approach allowing research to assess participant’s perceptions of competence, autonomy and relatedness, the Basic Needs Satisfaction in Sport Scale (BNSSS). Semi structured interviews were conducted in order to gather qualitative information; this method allows the research to gain an in depth understanding of the participants’ personal constructs and experiences during participation. The findings established similarities and differences within responses given from the interviews, however all participants gave in depth knowledge to the three tenets for Basic Needs, and accumulate appropriate themes within competence, autonomy and relatedness explaining effects and consequences. The importance of the coach-athlete relationship has shown substantial resources in order to maximise coaching performance and athletic performance. Notably all participants made statements that referred to their current coach-athlete relationship to being highly positive and effective towards performance. The experiences of the athletes with their current coach were markedly similar with regard to their perceptions of coaching style and qualities specific to the coaching role regarding competence and support. Competence, autonomy and relatedness have a meaningful role on the effects of athletes, more importantly the identification of characteristics the coach adopts influences the coach-athlete relationship and the consequence on effecting / improving athletes physical and mental performance.