The influence of the motivational team climate and of personal goals on the specific game goals adopted by volleyball athletes

Abstract

In sport contexts, research has supported variations in motivation and performance, as a function of the athlete's goals. However, little is still known about the specific goals pursued by players in particular games, or about its relations with individual and contextual factors. The present study (a) examined the specific game goals of volleyball players and how they are related (b) to the player's general dispositional goals, and (c) to the motivational climate created by the coach. The study assessed player's general and specific goals for 14 volleyball games (13 players X 14 games), and the perceived motivational climate. Results suggested that specific goals for particular games seem dependent on the athlete's more general goals but are also influenced by the motivational climate created by the coach. In particular, a focus of the coach on a performance-oriented climate may hinder athletes' mastery-approach goals.