Coaching is a stressful profession that can lead to burnout. Stressors for coaches include expectations and pressure to win, athlete concerns, long hours, and lack of support. Around 35% of coaches in USA Swimming stop coaching each year due to burnout. Coping strategies like emotion management and problem solving can help coaches deal with stressors. Education on coping strategies may help reduce burnout by providing coaches with the proper tools to manage stress. Support for coaches and developing stress management techniques are important for preventing coaching burnout.

1. Coaching Under Pressure
Stress factors in coaching, from elite to collegiate.

2. Burnout
 Coaching under stressful conditions can lead to
burnout. 35% of coaches in USA Swimming stop
coaching each year (Raedeke, 2004)
 In world class sport, coaching is a stressful
job, many studies look at the increasing amount of
stress associated with elite sports coaching.
 Most coaches that are vulnerable to burnout and
stress leave the profession before reaching the elite
level (Hjalm et. Al, 2007)

3. Stressors
 In an ever changing environment, which is often results
orientated, coaches are exposed to many pressures.
 Whatever else changes, coaches and coaching will
remain at the heart of sporting performance at every
level.(UK Vision of Coaching, n.d., p.2)
 In one study of UK sports coaches at a world class
level, the main stressors identified included
Conflict, Pressure and Expectation, managing the
competitive environment, athlete concerns, and sacrifice
of personal time.

4. Stressors
 These were broken down into lower order
themes, such as management cohesion (lack of
communication with management), interference
(from outside influences, parents), Self-imposed
pressures, and outcome pressure sourced from a
growing “Blame the Coach” culture (Olusoga et.
Al, 2009)
 A coach must perform many roles for an
athlete, they can be called on to be a
mentor, counsellor, assessor, instructor, educator
and a friend (Lyle, 2002)

5. Stressors
 Most literature regarding athlete stress cites coaches
as stressors to athletes, but the findings of this study
by Olusoga et al, suggests that the relationship
between the coach-athlete is mutually stressful for
both parties.
 „Chaotic Lifestyle‟ – travelling, long and undefined
hours cited as causes of stress in coaches (Surujlal, J.
& Nguyen, S., 2011)

6. Burnout
 It appears that some coaches are either not prepared
psychologically to handle defeat, or that the
demands of handling such a defeat are a source of
burnout (Hjalm et. Al, 2007)
 This brings up the necessity for support for
coaches, and development of strategies to cope with
stress.

7. Coping Strategies
 In a study of South African soccer coaches
(Surujlal, J. & Nguyen, S., 2011) the coping strategies
employed were Maladaptive (5.68% of
sample), Emotion Management (51.47% of
coaches), and Problem Management (most coaches)
 This study also suggested that stress management
and the considerations of resources should be
allocated to match the level of responsibilities, to
nurture and maintain a healthy workforce.

8. Preventing Burnout
 It is believed that early education on coping
strategies will provide the correct tools to reduce the
occurrence of burnout. If methods of managing
stress and problem-solving are integrated into their
formal education as coaches, there is less chance of
burnout as they are able to deal with their stressors
without it taking a high toll on them individually.

9. References
 Fletcher, D. and M. Scott (2010). "Psychological stress in sports coaches : A review of
concepts, research, and practice." Journal of Sports Sciences28(2): 127-137.
 Hjalm, S., G. Kentta, et al. (2007). "Burnout among elite soccer coaches." Journal of Sport
Behavior30(4): 415-428.
 Lyle, J. (2002). Sports coaching concepts: A framework for coaches‟ behaviours. London:
Routledge.
 Olusoga, P., J. Butt, et al. (2009). "Stress in Elite Sports Coaching: Identifying Stressors."
Journal of Applied Sport Psychology21: 442-459.
 Olusoga, P., I. Maynard, et al. (2011). "Coaching under pressure: A study of Olympic
coaches." Journal of Sports Sciences30(3): 229-239.
 Raedeke, T. D. (2004). "Coach Committment and Burnout: A One-Year Follow-Up."
Journal of Applied Sport Psychology16: 333-349.
 Surujlal, J. & Nguyen, S., 2011, „Coping under pressure: Strategies for maintaining
confidence amongst South African soccer coaches‟, Health SA Gesondheid 16(1), Art. #537, 7
pages. doi:10.4102/ hsag.v16i1.537