Abstract
Fostering a constructive motivational climate is an important contributor to an individual’s motivation (Ames, Citation1992a), yet research within elite sport remains limited. The purpose of this study was to use the task, authority, recognition, grouping, evaluation, and time—or TARGET—framework to explore the motivational climate in an elite youth football academy. Sixty-four academy training sessions were observed. Findings suggested that the task, authority, recognition, and evaluation structures are most important in predicting a mastery motivational climate. Task organization parameters and coach behaviors influential in promoting adaptive and less adaptive psychological environments are discussed.
NOTE
Notes
1 The Elite Player Performance Plan was an initiative started in 2011 by the Premier League to standardize English Football academies. Each academy is audited and rated as Category 1, 2, 3, or 4. Category 1 is the highest rating.