Developing Psycho-Behavioural Skills: The Talent Development Coach Perspective

A large body of evidence highlights the importance psycho-behavioural skills as a key feature talent development in sport. The purpose this study was to explore pedagogic intentions coaches psychological athletes. Eleven were purposefully sampled for interview based on track record expert practice. Using reflexive thematic analysis, three overarching themes generated representing coaches’ work: knowing and shaping athlete’s needs, purposeful breadth flexibility teaching approaches, using challenge test skill development, necessity review refinement. Reflecting these data, we suggest need an increased appreciation role sports coach beyond technical tactical, with recommendation that build their knowledge skillset across domains support athletes more effectively.