Comparing three observation instruments of the coach's behaviour in grassroots football

Coach behaviour has long been known to influence the sporting experience of grassroots players; however, it is currently unclear how the instruments used to assess their behaviour are related. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the relationships between three observational coaching behaviour tools. Sixteen matches with teams led by four female football coaches were recorded and analysed using three observational instruments: (a) Coaching Behaviour Assessment System (CBAS); (b) Multidimensional Motivational Climate Observation System (MMCOS) and (c) Coach Leadership Assessment System (CLAS). The dimensions measured by each instrument are theorised as being adaptive or maladaptive. The specific objectives of this study are targeted to assess: (a) the commonalities between the three instruments and (b) what differentiated aspects each instrument provides. The results show that both the adaptive and the maladaptive dimensions of the three instruments are positively related among themselves but negatively related to the others. The results also show that the MMCOS is sensitive to behavioural changes during the matches, while the CBAS and the CLAS do not reflect these changes but assess the stability of the behaviour. In conclusion, this research provides empirical evidence supporting the conceptual relationship between the three instruments and of the specific information that each instrument offers. Furthermore, it highlights the need to observe the sport environment more closely in a more diversified way.