IMPACT OF A COMPREHENSIVE FIFA 11+ WORKSHOP ON YOUTH SOCCER COACHES' TASK SELF-EFFICACY FOR PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

Background Coach-led delivery of the FIFA 11+ warm-up program is an effective strategy for program implementation. There is emerging evidence that coaches9 task self-efficacy (TSE) predicts FIFA 11+ implementation in youth soccer. Objective To determine the impact of a comprehensive FIFA 11+ workshop on youth soccer coaches9 TSE. Design Quasi-experimental pilot study. Setting Community youth soccer. Participants This study involved 73 Canadian coaches (66.7% male, aged 18–66 years) participating in a pilot pre-implementation FIFA 11+ workshop (Spring 2016). Interventions Experts with experience in program implementation delivered a coach workshop, comprising an extensive theory-based classroom session and a field-based practical demonstration of the FIFA 11+ program. Main Outcome Measurements A questionnaire was used to assess coaches9 TSE for implementing the FIFA 11+ on a 7-point Likert scale. Difference in the pre-post workshop ratings of TSE as measured by coaches9 confidence in both their understanding the FIFA 11+ program (TSE1) and their ability to use the program with their teams (TSE2). Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test analysis was used to assess any statistical differences between baseline and post-workshop ratings of TSE. Results Coaches had a median (1st, 3rd quartiles) baseline TSE1 rating of 6 (4, 6) and TSE2 rating of 6 (5, 6). There were statistical significant differences in coaches9 TSE1 (z=−3.99; p Conclusions A comprehensive FIFA 11+ workshop generated positive increases in coach TSE, which may help optimize program uptake and implementation. Further evaluation of this coach workshop strategy on behavioural and implementation outcomes will be performed in a large population of coaches across different cities in Canada in an ongoing nationwide implementation of the FIFA 11+ program in youth soccer.