The Relationship Between The Coaches’ Leadership Style towards The Emotions And Behavior of Athletes At The Malaysian School Sports Council (MSSM), Kuala Lumpur

Abstract

Athletes' excellence is not solely dependent on the talent they possess but is closely related to the leadership style of their coach. A study was conducted to explore the coaching styles on the emotions and behaviors of athletes in the Malaysian School Sports Council, Kuala Lumpur. Understanding the impact of coaching styles on athlete performance and well-being is paramount for optimizing athletic development and success. By elucidating the role of coaching in shaping athlete emotions and behaviors, this study aims to inform effective coaching strategies and enhance athlete performance outcomes. A quantitative research approach utilizing a survey method was employed in this study. A total of 223 athletes representing Kuala Lumpur in the national-level championship were selected through simple random sampling. The Leadership Scale for Sports (LSS) questionnaire and the Behavioral Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (BERQ) were administered to assess coaching styles and athlete emotions and behaviors, respectively. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, conducted using SPSS version 29, tested the research hypotheses at a significance level of p < 0.05. The study findings revealed a significant relationship between coaching styles and the emotions and behaviors of athletes. Quality leadership was found to provide effective motivation, clear guidance, and tailored teaching, fostering a positive coach-athlete relationship essential for optimal athletic performance. Future research endeavors could explore longitudinal studies to examine the sustained effects of coaching styles on athlete development and performance outcomes. Additionally, investigating the impact of specific coaching interventions on athlete emotional regulation and behavior management could offer valuable insights for refining coaching practices and maximizing athlete potential. Overall, it is crucial for sports coaches to continually enhance their knowledge mastery to provide them with better capabilities in carrying out leadership tasks and positively influencing the developmental performance of the athletes they train.