"There's No One-Size-Fits-All Approach": Challenges and Strategies Coaching Preschooler Sport in Canada

Coaches are seminal figures within sport, playing a key role in youths' development, particularly when their approach and practices suit the age and context in which they are coaching. However, little is known about coaches' experiences within early years (<6) sport. This case study examined coaches' experiences in early years sport, revealing challenges-faced and strategies drawn-upon for effective coaching. Semistructured interviews with 10 coaches (M-age = 37.8; 7 male) leading multisport, soccer, dance, rugby, hockey, and t-ball programming to children 2-5 years contributed insights. Key challenges included children's resistance to participate and varied ability levels; however, these were mitigated by creative best practices focused on age-appropriate delivery (e.g., use of stories/imagination, "classroom" management). Notably, effective strategies were often offered by coaches from private and club-based programs, whereas community-based volunteer coaches received less age-specific training and resources and had more turnover. Broader societal-level challenges related to parental expectations and pressures were also discussed. Findings highlight early years sport as a unique context in which interpersonal and intrapersonal coaching knowledge appear most critical. Identified best practices may support early years sport coaches in their day-to-day roles while highlighting the importance of preparing all early years sport coaches to deliver effective age-appropriate programming.