Olympic coach survey
Name
Age
Sport/Team
Head Coach / Assistant Coach (please circle)
Full time coach: Yes/No (please circle)
Athletic background (years and standard)
Coaching qualifications
Coaching experience (total years, level, number and type of international competition)
Have you coached a medal winner at any Olympic Games?
Please indicate whether you (or your athletes) experienced the following by answering yes or no to
each statement. In addition, for each statement indicate the effect that the presence or absence of
this factor had on the Olympic performance of your athletes (1 = extremely negative, 5 = extremely
positive)
EXAMPLE
1
2
3
I liked the food in the Olympic village
I am a good driver
Coaches should speak a second language
YES
X
1
2
3
4
5
NA
1
2
3
X
4
5
X
X
Yes
1 = extremely negative
2 = negative
3 = no impact
4 = positive
5 = extremely positive
I over-coached or spent too much time with athletes
My athletes had trust in my wisdom and experience
I was effectively able to deal with crisis situations and
made decisive but fair decisions
I kept things simple and focused
I had unrealistic expectations for my athletes
performance
No
X
No
NA
Effect of variable on
your Olympic
performance
1
2
3
4
5
Yes
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
I had unrealistic expectations for my team’s
performance
I was totally committed to helping my athletes
succeed
I did not know all my athletes before selection on the
Olympic team and lacked insight into their needs
Conflict within the team deteriorated my athletes
confidence in the coaching staff
I implemented a clear performance plan
Fair coach decisions were made
I lacked insight into individual needs
My athletes were assisted in developing a plan so
they were prepared for dealing with distractions
Coaching staff were able to adjust tactically to various
situations that arose during competition
Coaches lost composure during competition
I was confident in my own ability
My athletes were confident in each others’ ability
My athletes were confident in my ability
Our team had a strong coach-team relationship
We had a strong team chemistry or cohesion
We had a strong athlete leadership group
I was indecisive during the Olympics
There were no conflicts within the team
My athletes were overtrained in preparation for the
Olympics
There was coach-athlete conflict over optimal
training needs
All athletes were dealt with as an individual
physically, mentally & emotionally. This was taken
into account in my planning and coaching
All athletes were treated equally in relation to
respect and attention they were given
All athletes received criticism in a constructive
manner
Team personnel (assistant coaches, medical staff etc)
were managed effectively by the head coach
I conducted myself with honesty, integrity and
professionalism
Coaches did not become distracted during the
Olympics
The head coach encouraged athlete input into
training and game strategies
I stayed relaxed during the Olympics
I was flexible and able to adjust to unexpected events
Coaching staff were able to recognise the signs of
overtraining and modified training accordingly
I use fear as a coaching method
Coaching staff were able to recognise the signs of
overtraining and modified training accordingly
Athletes knew the coaches had confidence in them
No
NA
1
2
3
4
5
Yes
39 Senior athletes were included in decisions during the
Olympic Games
40 Athletes felt that the coach(es) were frustrated and
stressed at times during the Games
41 All team members displayed trust and respect for
each other
42 Athletes had input into our team goals
43 Athletes were satisfied with the feedback and advice
they received from me during the Olympics
44 Coaches followed through on what we said they
would do
45 the head coach effectively utilised support staff to
enhance my/our performance
46 Athletes were aware of tension between coaching
staff (and/or support staff)
47 Athletes were confident with our training during the
Olympic Games was
48 Lack of Olympic coaching experience was not evident
49 Athletes experienced inconsistencies in the coaches
mood and behaviour during the Olympics
50 Athletes knew their role and what was expected of
them
51 Athletes were confident and satisfied with our preOlympic preparation
52 All athletes were committed to the team goals
53 There was good communication between athletes
and coaches during the Olympics
54 The coaching staff lost focus and panicked during the
Games
55 Team selection during the Games was fair and based
on form
56 Athletes experienced coaches negativity during the
Games
No
NA
1
2
3
4
5
Coaching efficacy scale
Coaching confidence refers to the extent to which coaches believe that they have the capacity to
affect learning and performance of their athletes. Think about how confident you are as a coach.
Rate your confidence for each of the items below (0 = not at all confident, 9 = extremely confident).
How confident are you in your ability to –
57
Maintain confidence in your athletes
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
58
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
59
Recognise opposing team’s strengths during
competition
Mentally prepare athletes for game strategies
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
60
Understand competitive strategies
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
61
Instil an attitude of good moral character
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
62
Build the self-esteem of your athletes
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
63
Demonstrate the skills of your sport
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
64
Adapt to different game situations
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
65
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
66
Recognise opposing team’s weakness during
competition
Motivate your athletes
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
67
Make critical decisions during competition
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
68
Build team cohesion
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
69
Instil an attitude of fair play among your athletes
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
70
Coach individual athletes on technique
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
71
Build the self-confidence of your athletes
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
72
Develop athletes’ abilities
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
73
Maximise your team’s strengths during competition
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
74
Recognise talent in athletes
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
75
Promote good sportsmanship
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
76
Detect skill errors
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
77
Adjust your game strategy to fit his/her team’s talent
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
78
Teach the skills of your sport
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
79
Build team confidence
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
9
80
Instil an attitude of respect for others
0
1
2 3
4 5
6
7 8
Please complete the following questions:
81. What type of climate/environment do you create for your athletes?
82. How would you describe your style of leadership?
83. Do you have a particular routine on competition day? Could you please describe what you do
before, during and after competition?
84. What experiences are most important in preparing an Olympic Coach?
9
85. What are the main sources of pressure in your role as an Olympic Coach
86. How do you deal with the emotional roller-coaster of Olympic competition?
87. What obstacles or surprises did you experience coaching at the Olympics?
88. What advice would you give to future Olympic coaches to enhance their chances of peak
performance during Olympic competition?
89. What was the best advice you were given with regards to coaching at the Olympics?
90. Do you have any suggestions on educational needs of Olympic coaches?