The pressures and stressors experienced by football coaches

Abstract

Coaching in a sports environment may be a stressful profession as coaches are required to carry out multiple duties and cope with several expectations. The aim of this study was to obtain a detailed understanding of what stressors and pressures football coaches deal with, and how coping strategies may help them handle the stress they experience. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted with professional football coaches working in Malta’s top divisions. Thematic analysis yielded three main themes: stress is part of the job, pressure clouds decision-making, and effective coping strategies. Stress is seen to be as ‘part of the job’ for football coaches, and that can ultimately endanger one’s welfare. Apart from stress, these professionals also experience high amounts of pressure, and this pressure can interfere with certain decisions they make. Coaches are often required to make decisions in a matter of minutes, and being under pressure can cloud their judgement, making them second guess every decision they make. Thus, it is important for coaches to make use of effective coping strategies in order to manage the stress and pressure they face, allowing them to perform at the highest level possible. The findings of the research match with the limited literature available, indicating that stress and pressure are experienced on a regular basis. The results of this research also highlight the uniqueness of every individual; therefore, each coping strategy must be custom-made for each individual based on their character, experiences, and support.