High performance coaching
This chapter discusses the stress process as applied to coaches and reviews the literature that has attempted to uncover the complexity of the stress process in coaching at all levels, from teacher coaches at high school and collegiate level, through to international Olympic coaches. It explores practical implications for coaches and sport psychologists attempting to manage coaches' stress experiences. The ability to cope with stressors is clearly an important factor in determining whether or not sport will be a satisfying experience for the performer. In assessing coaches' coping strategies and styles, qualitative methods have provided an in depth look at coaches' attempts to manage their stress experiences. While athletes might use different strategies to cope with organisational and performance related stressors no such differences have been found with coaches. Coaches, sport psychology consultants (SPC) and sport organisations should also work hard to remove some of the barriers that appear to prevent coaches from accessing psychological support.