How Coaches Shape Social Identity: The Hidden Dynamics of Team Sports

Social identity plays a pivotal role in sports. Although its importance has been highlighted, little is known about how coaches shape its development through the coach–athlete relationship and motivational climate. This study explores the influence of players’ perceived coach–athlete relationship and motivational climate on social identity in team sports. A total of 210 team sport young elite male athletes ( M age = 16.31, SD age = 1.00) completed an online survey measuring their social identification with the team, perception of the coach-created motivational climate, and quality of relationship with their coach. Linear mixed-effects models revealed that commitment was positively related with ingroup ties ( R 2 p = .03), cognitive centrality ( R 2 p = .05), and ingroup affect ( R 2 p = .03). An empowering motivational climate was also related with ingroup ties ( R 2 p = .05) and ingroup affect ( R 2 p = .02), whereas a disempowering climate had no effect. Interaction effects showed that a medium or low motivational climate strengthened the positive relationship between commitment and ingroup affect ( R 2 p = .06), whereas a low motivational climate generated a negative relation between closeness and ingroup affect ( R 2 p = .02). These findings demonstrate the effect of coaches on athletes’ team identification in building supportive relationships and empowering environments.