Authors : Xu Xiang; Dr. Lorna A. Espeso

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 1 - January

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/yc64sjy6

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/bdh6bzkx

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jan656

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Handball is a dynamic team sport that emphasizes agility, strategy, and collective coordination, making it a valuable component programs worldwide of university sports. In recent years, Chinese universities have increasingly embraced handball, recognizing its dual benefits: enhancing students’ physical fitness and fostering engagement through teamwork and competitive spirit. This study examines the correlational relationship between coaching leadership styles and player motivation among Chinese university handball athletes. The researcher utilized the descriptive comparative – correlational research design. Athlete demographics of one hundred seventeen handball-respondents —sex, age, program and grade level—are analyzed in relation to perceptions of coaching leadership across five dimensions: tactical and strategic decision making, technical instruction, psychological support, team management, and adaptability. Findings highlight how demographic profiles are associated with athletes’ assessment of coaching leadership styles and how these perceptions correspond with motivational drivers such as goal setting, personal achievement, skill development, recognition, and self- regulation. By positioning leadership and motivation as interdependent constructs, the study reveals how distinct coaching approaches may be linked to athletes’ desire to develop expertise, excel in competition, and sustain enjoyment in the sport. Results contribute to the literature on sport psychology and leadership by clarifying the extent to which coaching behaviors correlate with motivational outcomes in a university athletic context. The study’s implications extend to the design of a motivational coaching and leadership development program tailored for Chinese handball athletes, fostering a supportive climate that enhances both performance and well-being.

Keywords : Coaching Leadership, Athlete Motivation, Correlational Study, Handball, University Athletes, Sport Psychology.

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