The style of coaching or leadership has been found to have a direct influence on performance, satisfaction and behaviour. (Crust & Azadi, 2009) This therefore means the coach should pay careful attention to the leadership style adopted before coaching. There are generally 2 style of coaching: Autocractic and Democratic.
According to studies, participants very often prefer the style of coaching which matches their own individual characteristics, for example things like abilities, traits and age. (Chelladurai, 2001)
The difference between Auctocratic and Democratic coaches is the way in which the cooperate with the group. Autocratic coaches tend to use independant decisions, and input from the group is generally not welcomed. An autocratic coach genuinely tends to stress personal authoritywhen making key decisions during coaching. Whereas a Democratic coach tends to value the input of the participants regarding decisions such as the group, goals, game-tactics and strategies. Participants input is invited by democratic coaches.
It has been found that participants who have a higher need for structure and infromation during activity prefer and benefit more from a coach with more of an instructional/autocratic approach. (Chelladurai & Carron, 1981) It has also been found that athletes who are found to be more task motivated (which means focused more on personal development) prefer to work with coaches who posses more of an instructional/autocratic approach. These participants also prefer it if the autocratically styled coach provides high intensity and frequent sessions and are driven through intrinsic motivation. It was also found that the athletes who prefer a democratic style of coaching tend to prefer to focus on the relationship of the group and have a greater preference for supportive behaviour from the coach.
References
Horn, T, Bloom, P, Berglund, K, & Packard, S 2011, ‘Relationship Between Collegiate Athletes’ Psychological Characteristics and Their Preferences for Different Types of Coaching Behavior’, Sport Psychologist, 25, 2, pp. 190-211, SPORTDiscus with Full Text
Robert Stephen Weinberg (2006). Foundations of Sport and Exercise Pyschology. 5th ed. USA: Human Kinetics. 36-40.
SURUJLAL, J, & DHURUP, M 2012, ‘Athlete preference of coach’s leadership style’, African Journal For Physical, Health Education, Recreation & Dance, 18, 1, pp. 111-121, SPORTDiscus with Full Text, EBSCOhost