Examination of the relationship between efficacy, decision-making strategies of soccer coaches and team performances

The purpose of the study is to investigate relationship between efficacy, decision-making strategies of soccer coaches who served in Turkey and team performances. The study is a descriptive research that cross-section approach one of the general scanning model and relational scanning model were used. In addition, the document analysis method was benefited in this study. The universe of this study contains Turkish soccer coaches serving in Super League, 1.League, 2.League, 3.League and Regional Amateur League in the last three seasons (2011-2012/2012-2013/2013-2014) in Turkey. The sample groups of the research determined by simple random sampling in this universe are comprised of Turkish soccer coaches who have served as a head coach at least 10 matches in amateur and professional soccer clubs. 332 soccer coaches were voluntarily participated in this study. As data collection tools, Personal information form, Coach Efficacy Scale, Melbourne Decision Making Scale I-II and Team Performance Index were used. The analysis of the data obtained from the study was saved in SPSS. Descriptive statistical analysis (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation values) was used for the demographic data of the study group. Examined by document analysis techniques of data have been interpreted by calculating the mean and standard deviation. The differences between coaches from different groups, were examined by t-test and one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). To find out which group cause the difference when there is a difference between groups and the variants are equal, Tukey HSD test, to examine the relationship, Pearson's correlation tests were used. Significant level was accepted as p<0.05. In conclusion, all sub-dimensions of coaching efficacy and decision making strategies are significantly correlated with each other. Coaches who have pro license were found to have highest scores in terms of team performance at both good and a very good level. As license levels of coaches increased, the achievement level increased. The coaches who benefit from competition analysis were found to have significantly higher team performance scores than coaches who can't take advantage of competition analysis. It was determined that the coaches who prefer video match observation, causes the difference of the group. As a result, coaching efficacy and decision making strategies are thought to be important for increasing team performance. For coaches, increasing their experience, developing their professional efficacy, following new developments related to soccer, having adequate skills in practice can be explained as the necessary components to upgrade the team performance. Key Words: Soccer, Coach, Efficacy, Decision Making, Team Performance