Psychology of Sports Coaching

Catalog description

This course explores the psychological foundations of effective coaching and athlete development across youth and competitive sport settings. Students will examine evidence-based strategies to build strong coach-athlete and coach-parent relationships, enhance team culture, and support athlete motivation, well-being, and performance. Topics include leadership approaches (e.g., transformational and athlete leadership), motivational climates, social support, group dynamics, mental health, and emotion regulation. The course also addresses creating safe, ethical, and inclusive sport environments through attention to gender perspectives, moral behavior, and talent development. Through practical application of psychological theory, students will learn to evaluate and implement coaching practices that foster healthy, high-performing sport cultures. May be taught concurrently with KIN 624. Cannot receive credit for both KIN 524 and KIN 624. Prerequisite: 75 hours.