Estilo motivacional del entrenador: percepción de jugadores y entrenadores según el género y la categoría de edad

This study examined whether there are differences in players’ and coaches’ perceptions of motivational style according to gender and age group. A total of 601 young Spanish water polo players aged 13-18 years (M=14.74; SD=1.36; 69% boys) and their coaches (n=58; 93% male) participated. Both coaches’ and players’ perceptions of need-supportive and controlling behaviors were measured. The results show that girls perceived lower values than boys in the controlling behaviors of intimidation and excessive personal control. In terms of category, U-14 players perceived significantly higher values for competitive support than U-16 and U-18 players, as well as for relatedness support than U-16 players. On the other hand, U-18 players perceived significantly higher values for negative attention than did U-14 and U-16 players, as well as for intimidation than did U-14 players. However, no significant differences were found in coaches' perceptions of their motivational style according to the age group they coached. These results highlight the importance of reducing controlling behaviors as much as possible and maintaining supportive strategies throughout the players' training period.