An exploration of coaches’ and sport psychologists’ experiences of managing performance blocks

This study examined coaches ’ and sport psychologists ’ experiences of managing performance blocks and the mechanisms they adopted in supporting athletes who experience them. This qualitative study adopted a constructivist philosophical paradigm. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with elite coaches ( n ¼ 8) and HCPC-reg-istered sport psychologists ( n ¼ 7). Following transcription, interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings indicated that man- aging performance blocks is a complex and dynamic process whereby participants iteratively moved through five stages (i.e., understanding the athlete, intervening in performance blocks, experiencing the emotional rollercoaster, coping with emotions, and learn- ing). From an applied perspective, findings encourage coaches and sport psychologists to create trusting relationships with the athlete and demonstrate an emotional understanding of athletes ’ needs. Findings indicate that lowering the psychological demand and increasing the athletes ’ coping resources such as by offering emotional support is an important strategy in the management of per- formance blocks. Lay summary : This article explores eight coaches ’ and seven sport psychologists ’ experiences of managing performance blocks. Coaches and sport psychologists continually shifted between five stages in understanding and supporting athletes ’ experiences of performance blocks. Findings highlight the importance of trusting and collaborative relationships, emotional intelligence, and coping strategies when managing performance blocks.