Abstract
Uncertainty is increasingly recognized as a key consideration in psychology, as it is associated with anxiety, depression, and reduced well-being (Satici et al., 2022). Sport research shows that athletes are influenced by uncertainty (Csurilla & Sterbenz, 2022). No study has examined how coaches – those who support athletes – experience uncertainty in their profession although coaching is acknowledged as a complex, high-pressure profession (Rynne & Mallett, 2012; Mallett & Lara-Bercial, 2016). Therefore, we conducted a phenomenological study to understand the lived experiences of coaches facing uncertainty in their work. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 coaches, including head and assistant coaches working with national to world-class athletes in individual or team sports. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis, following the reflexive approach of Braun and Clarke (2019). Uncertainty arose from job insecurity, athlete decisions, funding challenges, and injury management. Coaches frequently reported emotional reactions such as stress and frustration, followed by coping strategies focused on acceptance and redirecting energy toward controllable elements. These responses were shaped by personal values, trust in colleagues, and family context. Rather than viewing uncertainty solely as a burden, coaches described it as integral to their development and a necessary part of growth. Overall, these findings highlight the ability to manage uncertainty as a central process that sport psychology must now examine more deeply, both to support coaches and the athletes’ performances by extension. Uncertainty seems to not only be a risk to control, but a driver of learning and resilience.
