Integrating Psychosocial Skill and Characteristic Development Into an English Academy Soccer Coaching Program: A Preliminary Investigation

Mitchell, TO, Cowburn, IHJ, Alder, DB, Till, K, Littlewood, MA ORCID: 0000-0003-1881-6035, Cook, T and Piggott, D (2024) Integrating Psychosocial Skill and Characteristic Development Into an English Academy Soccer Coaching Program: A Preliminary Investigation. International Sport Coaching Journal. pp. 1-13. ISSN 2328-918X

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Abstract

This study aimed to assess the impact of a psychosocial development program on academy soccer players with coaches being central design and delivery. The 8 Pillars program (designed to foster Communication, Control, Commitment, Confidence, Concentration, Resilience, Presence, and Self-awareness) was delivered through player workshops, coaching practice, and coach-led environmental manipulation. A total of 25 academy soccer players (Mage 14.7 ± 0.3) completed the Psychological Characteristics of Development Excellence Questionnaire-2 pre- and postseason, and a self-report scale for each of the eight prescribed psychosocial skills and characteristics at five time points across the season. Significant (p < .05) improvement between pre- and postseason for “Imagery and Active Preparation,” “Seeking and Using Social Support,” and “Active Coping” factors within the Psychological Characteristics of Development Excellence Questionnaire-2 were evident. Significant (p < .05) improvements were shown for “Communication,” “Control,” “Commitment,” “Concentration,” and “Resilience” scales across the season. These findings give initial efficacy that a targeted, multifaceted program, largely delivered by coaches, can improve player self-reported psychosocial skills and characteristics in a U.K. academy soccer setting.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Accepted author manuscript version reprinted, by permission, from International Sport Coaching Journal,2024 , https://doi.org/10.1123/iscj.2023-0031. © Human Kinetics, Inc.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	talent; youth; psychology; football; Behavioral and Social Science; 1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences; 1303 Specialist Studies in Education; 1701 Psychology
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC1200 Sports Medicine
Divisions:	Sport and Exercise Sciences
Publisher:	Human Kinetics
Date of acceptance:	4 January 2024
Date of first compliant Open Access:	20 December 2024
Date Deposited:	20 Dec 2024 11:34
Last Modified:	03 Jul 2025 16:45
DOI or ID number:	10.1123/iscj.2023-0031
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/25148

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