Enhancing Role Clarity in Youth Football: Applying the 5Cs to Role Descriptions by Position

Coaches acknowledge the significance of psychological skills but often struggle to strategically implement them into training sessions. This study, grounded in pragmatic ontology and constructive epistemology, aimed to develop a method based on Harwood’s 5Cs framework to help coaches articulate how players should demonstrate psychological skills through behaviours on the field. A collaborative process ensured both practical relevance and theoretical rigour. In Phase 1, eight professional coaches and one academic expert collaborated with the researchers in a focus group to design psychological role descriptions for seven playing positions. Players were expected to exhibit a range of behaviours, each linked to a C-related attribute. In Phase 2, individual interviews (90–120 min) with each participant added depth to the role descriptions. In Phase 3, a thematic analysis produced seven psychological role descriptions, each containing 12–18 behaviours. Examples include goalkeepers displaying commitment by bravely entering physical encounters and forwards showing confidence by taking shots when the opportunity arises. Perhaps due to cultural reasons, coaches most frequently emphasised attributes related to control and confidence. The method and the role descriptions can be valuable tools to enhance coaching efficacy by helping coaches frame, communicate, and deliver their expectations more efficiently through a shared framework.