'You won't get me drinking their urine in the student bar': A micro political investigation of the transient nature of power within the coaching process

Abstract

This study aims to further understanding of the importance of social micro-political interactions within a sporting environment and how a working knowledge of these social aspects can help a coach to facilitate optimal performance by appropriate management of their environment. Semi-structured interviews were used allowing the Participants to provide detail rich data. The literature review discusses the past beliefs and describes the epistemological shift leading to modern conceptualisations. The data is analysed with reference to the detailed literature review embracing notions of complexity, micro-political interactions, presentation of self, ontological security, situational doxa (social norms) and the transient nature of power.