ABSTRACT
This chapter describes following information on the factors that coaches could consider when they coach adolescent athletes: adolescence, coach behavior, practice activities and instruction, understanding and reducing dropout and enhancing self-esteem, well-being, and enjoyment. It is essential that coaches are aware of their behaviour when coaching adolescent athletes, because coach behaviour has a number of implications. It is important that coaches understand the reasons why adolescent athletes drop out so they can eliminate some of the risk factors associated with dropout. A review by Weiss and Williams identified conflict of interests, lack of fun, arguments with coaches, and a lack of playing time as the main reasons for dropping out of sport. Other factors that influence dropout rate are: achievement goals, burnout, relative age effects, motivation and physical and psychosocial reasons. The chapter outlines practice exam questions, critical thinking questions and case study questions related to coaching adolescents.
