Preferences and perceptions on coaching behaviors in relation to performance in university and CEGEP baseball players across Canada

Abstract

This cross-sectional survey study examined the congruence of player preferences and perceptions of leader behaviors on athletic performance among university and CEGEP baseball athletes across Canada. In accordance with the Multidimensional Model of Leadership, congruence between preferences and perceptions were hypothesized to positively relate to individual baseball performance. The Leadership Scale for Sport was used to measure athlete leadership preferences and perceptions of their coach’s leader behaviors across five behavioral dimensions (e.g., training and instruction, democratic, autocratic, social support, positive feedback). Paired t-tests examined differences in athlete preferences and perceptions. Correlations were computed to evaluate the relationships between perceived coaching behavior and athlete performance. Participants (n = 51) were instructed to complete a self-administered survey. Athletes were divided into groups based on their designated baseball position (e.g., fielder or pitcher). Hierarchical regressions were used to examine the variance in performance relating to the interaction leader preferences and perceptions. The results found a significant interaction effect for social support on performance. Paired samples t-tests revealed differences in training and instruction behavior mean score. Perceptions of training and instruction and positive feedback behaviors significantly correlated with fielder and pitcher performance, respectively.