Keeping the Ball Rolling for Sports Coaches Transcending the Covid-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted sports coaching. Competitive sporting events were canceled, and quarantine restrictions caused social isolation and mental strain for sports coaches. The challenges faced by sports coaches require enhancement in sports coaching and resilience to withstand the challenges imposed by the pandemic. This study aims to describe and explore the lived experience of sports coaches during the COVID-19 pandemic and to provide an answer to how sports coaches describe their adaptation experiences. Using open-ended interviews and focus group discussion, the researcher employed purposive sampling among team sports coaches who competed as members of the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association in the National Capital Region. Thematic analysis reveals themes of sports coaching challenges, adaptation and strategies, traits, coping and appraisal mechanisms, coach development and sports coaching best practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. While experiencing challenges posed by the pandemic and changes in delivering their sports training program, sports coaches showed remarkable resilience by innovating training methods, prioritizing athlete well-being, and utilizing various coping strategies. The analysis emphasizes the importance of professional development, collaboration, technology, support systems, and self-care practices for coaches as they navigate future disruptions. This study offers feasible best practices for sports coaches dealing with unexpected situations. It offers best practices for coaches and emphasizes the need for sports administrators to develop risk management plans for future stability.