Who takes the lead? Identifying roles and characteristics of athlete leaders within sport teams. Katrien Fransen KU Leuven Prof. N. Vanbeselaere, Prof. B. De Cuyper, Prof. G. Vande Broek, Prof. F. Boen
Overview Athlete leadership 1. Why focus on athlete leadership? 2. Different leadership roles 3. Specific role characteristics 4. Function of the team captain
Why focus on athlete leadership? Volleyball 2365 participants 40 sources Soccer 902 participants 72 sources Top 3 Most important sources of collective efficacy 1. My team comes together enthusiastically after making a point. 2. Athlete leaders within the team believe our team will win the game and express this on the field. 3. Enthusiastic cheering of both field players and bench players between the rallies. 1. Athlete leaders within the team believe our team will win the game and express this on the field. 2. The coach believes our team will win the game and expresses this on the field. 3. The players play as one team, rather than for individual succes.
Athlete leadership in press
Exploring athlete leadership On-line Survey Target population: Coaches and players within all team sports in Flanders: Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Handball, Korfball, Hockey, Ice hockey, Rugby, Water polo Cooperation: Vlaamse Trainersschool Several sport federations
Response Players (# = 3193) Total response = 4451 participants Coaches (# = 1258)
Overview Athlete leadership 1. Why focus on athlete leadership? 2. Different leadership roles 3. Specific role characteristics 4. Function of the team captain
Athlete leader types Task leader Motivational leader on the field Social leader outside the field External leader
The most important leader 42% 32% 18% 8%
Overview Athlete leadership 1. Why focus on athlete leadership? 2. Different leadership roles 3. Specific role characteristics 4. Function of the team captain
Characteristics athlete leaders - Starter in game - Most playing time - Best player - Most years of experience - Played on the highest level -Radiates the most self-confidence on the field - Communicates the most when the team is performing badly - Most capable of inducing a turning over when the team is behind
Characteristics athlete leaders - Facial expressions or body language most clearly express positive emotions during the game - Most expression of collective efficacy when the team is behind - Most enthusiastic when the team makes a point - Most enthusiastic, even when the team is performing badly -Most optimistic - Cheers the most - - Most influence on the collective efficacy of his teammates - Exerts most effort on the field - Exerts most effort during training
Characteristics athlete leaders - Exerts most effort outside the field - Socially best accepted by his teammates - Exerts most effort outside the field - The oldest player - For the longest time player in the team
Quality athlete leaders Most influence on the collective efficacy of his teammates Most enthusiastic when the team is performing badly Socially best accepted by his teammates Encourages his teammates strongly during the game Most influence on the collective efficacy of his teammates Socially best accepted by his teammates Encourages his teammates strongly during the game Most influence on the collective efficacy of his teammates Socially best accepted by his teammates Most influence on the collective efficacy of his teammates Exerts most effort outside the field
Quality athlete leaders Most influence on the collective efficacy of his teammates Most enthusiastic when the team is performing badly Socially best accepted by his teammates Encourages his teammates strongly during the game Most influence on the collective efficacy of his teammates Socially best accepted by his teammates Encourages his teammates strongly during the game Most influence on the collective efficacy of his teammates Socially best accepted by his teammates Most influence on the collective efficacy of his teammates Exerts most effort outside the field
Overview Athlete leadership 1. Why focus on athlete leadership? 2. Different leadership roles 3. Specific role characteristics 4. Function of the team captain
Team captain # leadership roles of the team captain:
Team captain Task leader Motivational leader on the field 32% 25% CAPTAIN 16% 10% Social leader outside the field External leader
Conclusions In 44% of the teams the captain occupies NO leadership role! In only 5% of the teams the captain occupies 3 or 4 leadership roles! Team captain Only a formal function? Selection criteria - team captains What about coaching the captain? Coaches should pay more attention to identify and improve the leadership qualities of their captain and other leaders in the team!
More information needed? http://faber.kuleuven.be/enquete/sportleiderschap/
Thank you for your attention! Having great leadership is a big key to success. Our team will go as far as our leaders are willing to take us. Mike Candrea Contact: Katrien.Fransen@faber.kuleuven.be