Playmaker PhD Research
‘What do coaches really want in their playmakers?’
An analysis of how a coach’s experience, opinions, and coaching style impacts their perceptions and expectations of key playmaker positions in basketball, field hockey, ice hockey, rugby union, football (soccer), and volleyball.
Welcome and thank you for your interest and potential involvement in this valuable research. I’m Liz Masen (completing my PhD and also have over 15 years experience in the sports industry), the lead researcher for this project and I’m so glad you are here!
Why is this Important?
The purpose of this research study is ultimately to be a useful and relevant reference for coaches. It draws on the coaches’ experiences, opinions, and expectations, to evaluate what they want in key playmaker positions for their sport.
While there has been some academic research written on playmakers and the playmaker positions, The Playmaker’s Advantage by Zaichkowsky and Peterson was a ground-breaking book dedicated to the most valuable player on any sports team. The book’s lead author, Dr. Zaichkowsky, is recognized as a pioneer of performance psychology and interdisciplinary science, integrating the study of the brain with observable behavior, and this book also incorporates interviews from some of the most successful coaches and sport psychologists in professional and Olympic sports.
The book provides numerous definitions of the playmaker based on those provided by experts, yet the consistent theme throughout these definitions is that the playmaker is the player that the team is built around and someone who makes the players around them better. It is the playmaker’s understanding of how to create a competitive advantage through utilizing their fellow-players that distinguishes them. And this is why my research is focused on the playmaker, and more specifically, what coaches want in this position.
“We spend a disproportionate amount of time trying to grow muscle and increase speed when the payoff would be much greater by focusing on cognitive instructions and decision-making quickness.”
The Playmaker’s Advantage’s lead author, Dr. Len Zaichkowsky, shares 40 years of experience and insight as a consultant, researcher, and professor at Boston University.
Why is this Important?
The purpose of this research study is ultimately to be a useful and relevant reference for coaches. It draws on the coaches’ experiences, opinions, and expectations, to evaluate what they want in key playmaker positions for their sport.
“We spend a disproportionate amount of time trying to grow muscle and increase speed when the payoff would be much greater by focusing on cognitive instructions and decision-making quickness.”
The Playmaker’s Advantage’s lead author, Dr. Len Zaichkowsky, shares 40 years of experience and insight as a consultant, researcher, and professor at Boston University.
While some academic research has been written on playmakers and the playmaker positions, The Playmaker’s Advantage by Zaichkowsky and Peterson was a ground-breaking book dedicated to the most valuable player on any sports team. The book’s lead author, Dr. Zaichkowsky, is recognized as a pioneer of performance psychology and interdisciplinary science, integrating the study of the brain with observable behavior, and this book also incorporates interviews from some of the most successful coaches and sport psychologists in professional and Olympic sports.
The book provides numerous definitions of the playmaker based on those provided by experts, yet the consistent theme throughout these definitions is that the playmaker is the player that the team is built around and someone who makes the players around them better. It is the playmaker’s understanding of how to create a competitive advantage through utilizing their fellow-players that distinguishes them. And this is why my research is focused on the playmaker, and more what coaches want in this position.
Ultimately, the purpose of this research study is to be a useful and relevant reference for coaches. It draws on the coaches’ experiences, opinions, and expectations, to evaluate what they want in key playmaker positions for their sport.
Physical criteria desired in athlete selection is well researched, the science around strength and conditioning is well documented, however the understanding and application of behavioral styles is only in its infancy. This research is pursuing an area not previously investigated around key playmaker positions and specifically what coaches want from a behavioral perspective of the players in these positions. The application of this research can be used in coach education, game strategy, player selection, and development programs.
For the purposes of this research, the “playmaker” is defined as the player that has the most influence on the outcome of the game through their direction and the implementation of game strategy (i.e., who makes the plays).
Studying all six sports of basketball, field hockey, ice hockey, rugby union, football (soccer), and volleyball provides for individual focus and analysis, as well as the opportunity to make a comparison across these sports.
Ultimately, the purpose of this research study is to be a useful and relevant reference for coaches. It draws on the coaches’ experiences, opinions, and expectations, to evaluate what they want in key playmaker positions for their sport.
Physical criteria desired in athlete selection is well researched, the science around strength and conditioning is well documented, however the understanding and application of behavioral styles is only in its infancy. This research is pursuing an area not previously investigated around key playmaker positions and specifically what coaches want from a behavioral perspective of the players in these positions. The application of this research can be used in coach education, game strategy, player selection, and development programs.
For the purposes of this research, the “playmaker” is defined as the player that has the most influence on the outcome of the game through their direction and the implementation of game strategy (i.e., who makes the plays).
Studying all six sports of basketball, field hockey, ice hockey, rugby union, football (soccer), and volleyball provides for individual focus and analysis, as well as the opportunity to make a comparison across these sports.
Please note that the opportunity to participate in this research is now closed and the below information is provided as background. The project is currently in the Data Analysis phase and if you have participated in the surveys, you are invited to continue your involved through the upcoming Workshops.
What’s Involved?
With this study, coaches will be asked to complete two stages of data collection.
Stage 1: About the Coach
Stage 1 takes approximately 10 to 25 minutes to complete and includes an initial coach questionnaire, and a CoachDISC Profile survey.
The initial questionnaire asks about the coach’s own playing and coaching history, opinions about player positions and captains, and general information.
Then, the CoachDISC Profile survey has 30 questions which asks each coach to choose words that are most like and least like your behavior as a coach.
Stage 2: About the Playmaker
This final stage asks you to consider the playmaker position you identified in Stage 1 and answer an AthleteDISC Profile survey based on how you would want the ideal player in this position to answer (i.e., answer this survey as if you are the ideal player you would want in this playmaker position). The AthleteDISC Profile survey is similar in design to the CoachDISC Profile completed earlier. This stage takes approximately 10 minutes in total.
Those involved in the research will get front row seats in learning about the results and findings of this study, along with access to their own CoachDISC Profile report which is one of the components of the research.
About the CoachDISC Profile
The distinguishing factor of great coaches is their constant pursuit for the competitive edge in their athletes and themselves. No matter the level, Olympic, professional, or youth, the skills and ability in coaching, developing team culture, leadership, communication, and teamwork are all built from the same foundation, self-awareness and understanding of others. It provides coaches with a comprehensive understanding of their coaching style (along with identifying those fellow coaches and staff), while also finding new ways to further improve their coaching and communication with athletes and others. The CoachDISC Profile is the most effective tool in developing a comprehensive self-awareness as a coach.
After completing Stage 2, you get this free!
Athlete Assessments has donated the CoachDISC Profile and AthleteDISC Profile assessments used in this research.
Where to from here?
Thank you in advance for your participation as it is enormously valued. The quality of this research depends on the quality of those involved, and I appreciate your time in engaging in this project.
Or, if you’d like to learn more about the details of this research, please spend time on the other webpages providing more information.