ABSTRACT
The sporting arena is replete with examples and anecdotes of great inspirational coaches that have led teams to success, often in the face of adversity and against seemingly better opponents. The role of the coach in developing and motivating athletes has also been the focus of much research in sport psychology. This chapter delineates the inspirational effects of coaches in sport. It provides contemporary theories of leadership from organisational and military psychology. The chapter proposes a sport-specific model of leadership that centres on the vision, support, and challenge meta-cognitive model developed by Arthur and Hardy in military contexts. It also delineates the coach's role in inspiring the athlete to train harder and longer. The chapter identifies some key coach behaviours that will predict an athlete's perceptions of vision, support and challenge.
