ABSTRACT
This chapter presents research on sports coaching from a self-determination theory (SDT) perspective and highlights some of the potential challenges and barriers coaches may experience when trying to adopt a more autonomy-supportive coaching style. It explores some of the mini-theories, as well as drawing on motivational model of the coach-athlete relationship. The chapter reviews relevant literature and provides thoughts about potential research to build the evidence base around autonomy-supportive coaching. Basic Needs Theory highlights that individuals all have innate, basic psychological needs that are necessary for optimal psychological growth and well-being. Implementing autonomy-supportive strategies in youth sport may pose different barriers compared with coaches of elite adult athletes. Education is a necessary step in order to alter individuals' cognitive understanding of what autonomy-supportive strategies are, and how they can benefit athletes and coaches. Mageau and Vallerand's model of the coach-athlete relationship presents antecedents and need supportive behaviours as independent dimensions.
