Running a team is like laying a puzzle : elite coaches' experiences of women's ice hockey

• Purpose: The aim of the study was to explore aspects important for sport development and performance in women’s ice hockey, and to reflect on the conditions in Sweden and in North America.Method: Data were collected using individual interviews analyzed by qualitative content analysis. The sample including eight ice hockey coaches, two women and six men from being active coaches for female teams on the highest national level.Result: The analysis resulted in the theme “Coaching with a holistic approach” and three categories; “Individually oriented and humane leadership”, “Insight and understanding of performance requirements”, and “Necessary conditions for sport development”. The results displayed the complex task of managing a top-level team. In order to coordinate available preconditions into a beneficial environment for the players to develop and perform, the coached had adopted a holistic approach to coaching. A holistic approach to coaching was considered necessary to promote human-, as well as athletic-development in WIH.Conclusion: This study suggests that leadership, conditions and requirement of the game, are interrelated and all has to be considered to meet the requirements of the sport and provide opportunities for development. Furthermore, we suggest WIH would benefit from being treated as its own unique experience, instead of being compared to MIH.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Idrottsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Sport and Fitness Sciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Gender relations

Athletic performance

Group processes

Coaching strategies

fysiologi

Physiology

gender studies

genusvetenskap

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)