Relational coaching dynamics in sport: A 2 x 2 Framework

Abstract

Sport coaching is fundamentally an interpersonal process that primarily occurs between coaches and athletes (Lyle, 2002). When applied effectively, coaching can be a transformative experience, enabling both coaches and athletes to unlock their potential and achieve their goals (Jowett, 2017). To guide effective coaching, various theories and models have been proposed and utilised, one of which is Sanford’s Challenge and Support Theory (Sanford, 1962). According to Sanford, individuals thrive when they experience a balanced combination of challenge, which pushes them beyond their comfort zones and stretches their capabilities, and support, which provides a caring, nurturing and encouraging environment. Although originally developed within educational contexts, this model has since been applied across a range of domains, including the military, education, counselling, and sport coaching. Within sport, the interplay between challenge and support is considered central to fostering athlete development, resilience, and performance (e.g. Arthur et al., 2013; Fletcher & Streeter, 2016; Fletcher & Sarkar, 2016). However, I argue that effective support is relational: coaches must know and understand their athletes sufficiently well to recognise the support each athlete needs to engage with the challenges necessary for growth and development. I therefore propose a relational refinement of Sanford’s model in which relationship quality provides the foundation for tailoring support to the individual and, consequently, for calibrating challenge to the athlete’s developmental needs.