Journal article
Could caring be the engine to better orchestrate? An interpretative case study of a world championship futsal coaching team
Sport, Education and Society, Vol.First online, pp.1-13
30/04/2025
Appears in Recent Faculty of Education Publications
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Abstract
Much of the traditional wisdom in elite sports suggests that authoritative approaches, where head coaches (HCs) are in entirely charge of the sporting process, are needed for success. While there have been numerous studies to demonstrate that the best HCs ‘lead from behind’ there are fewer studies which examine, in detail, the processes by which HCs get the best from their coaching teams. The case study described in this article, sought to provide insights into how a HC, from his own and his three assistant coaches’ perspectives, applied a caring approach to optimise the orchestration processes of their coaching staff. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant. The data were transcribed and analysed thematically drawing on Noddings’ concept of caring as a guiding framework. Findings demonstrated that the HC, through empathy, altruism, authenticity, allowing opportunities for failure to enrich learning, and working behind the scenes, created an environment where the ACs felt heard and cared for. In the eyes of the ACs, this approach enhanced their sense of belonging and commitment, legitimising the demand of their work, without romanticising the notion of care. The way in which the HC used a caring approach while orchestrating, provided the means to challenge the pre-conceptions that authoritative approaches are needed so that HCs are in entirely charge of the sporting process. Findings of this study provide insights into how caring can play acritical role in the orchestrating process, thereby contributing to improving the collaborative working dynamics of coaching staff worldwide.
Details
- Title
- Could caring be the engine to better orchestrate? An interpretative case study of a world championship futsal coaching team
- Creators
- Ana Ramos - Universidade do PortoCarla Valerio - Southern Cross UniversityIsabel Mesquita - Universidade do Porto
- Publication Details
- Sport, Education and Society, Vol.First online, pp.1-13
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Grant note
- CIFI2D is financed by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), under the DOI https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/05913/2020.IRB approval.
- Identifiers
- 991013279211002368
- Copyright
- © 2025 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Education
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article