Peer Coaching in American Intercollegiate Athletics: An investigation of team dynamics, confidence and studentathlete learning

DZ Merian, EM Snyder International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring 2015

Peer coaching is a peer mediated strategy that places the onus on the student-athlete to serve as both a player coach and a coached player. This exploratory study examined the effects of peer coaching among 18 student-athletes within a NCAA Division III institution located in the United States. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first peer coaching study ever conducted in intercollegiate athletics. Findings suggest that peer coaching is an effective learning tool that positively contributes to the student-athletes experience. The initiative improved team dynamics, encouraged reflective ideas, built confidence and enhanced the student-athletes learning. Implications are discussed.