How do coaches talk about tackling? using the theory of planned behavior to explore coach communication with youth football and soccer players about physical contact in sport

AbstractPhysical contact such as tackling is a part of youth sport, but associated with concussion risk. Coach communication with athletes about how to approach contact could be a strategy to reduce concussion risk. We interviewed n = 50 adult stakeholders (coaches, referees and administrators) in youth football and soccer to identify barriers and facilitators to coach communication about contact. We framed interviews using the Theory of Planned Behavior, discussing: knowledge/experience, attitudes/beliefs, norms/values and perceived behavioral control. Stakeholders could easily describe ‘good’ contact (knowledge/experience) like keeping your head up (football) and tackling shoulder-to-shoulder (soccer), and ‘bad’ contact like spearing (football) and retaliating against an opponent (soccer). They also talked about the importance of sportsmanship and playing by the rules. Most coaches believed ‘bad’ contact was associated with greater injury (attitudes/beliefs). Coaches felt responsible for managing contact (norms/values), but also described not receiving any information indicating that this was part of their role. Coaches worried about creating a fear of injury, and felt it was important for discussions to be framed positively (perceived behavioral control). In summary, youth football and soccer coaches believe ‘bad’ contact is associated with greater injury risk and feel it is their role to provide youth guidance about contact, but describe a lack of institutional guidance regarding this role. They also are concerned about barriers, including creating fear, and describe ways to address this barrier with language. Developing programs to support coach communication about contact with youth athletes presents a potential strategy for concussion prevention.