Goal orientation patterns and preferred coaching leadership styles among football players of District Training Centre in Seberang Perai Tengah, Penang, Malaysia

Introduction: Coaching is an interactive process wherein coaches make decisions by considering multiple dynamic elements. The prioritisation of leadership style plays a crucial role in the establishment of a team organisation and the subsequent attainment of goals. Leadership is characterised by its role as a process, exerting influence, fostering teamwork, and facilitating the formulation of goals. The Study Aims: This study examines the goal orientation patterns and preferred coaching leadership styles among District Training Center football players in Seberang Perai Tengah, Penang. Material and Methods: This study involved 35 football players from District Training Centre in Seberang Perai Tengah, Penang, were selected by simple random sampling as respondents. The age of respondents are between 13 to 16 years old. The Task and Ego Orientation Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ) and Leadership Scale for Sport (LSS) questionnaires were used as research instruments. Descriptive analysis was used to measure goal orientation and leadership styles. In contrast, t-test inference analysis and ANOVA tests were used to measure the differences in goal orientation and coaching leadership styles in age and experience. Results: The results showed that the level of goal orientation of football players was at a high average level for task orientation, while ego orientation was at a moderate level. The t-test and ANOVA test results showed that age and experience factors did not give a difference in goal orientation. As for the level of leadership style choices, the least popular leadership style was the training and instruction style which showed a low level. Age differences indicated no difference in the selection of coaching leadership styles. Still, there were differences in training and instruction democratic, social support, and positive feedback leadership styles based on the experience of football players. Conclusions: In conclusion, it is hoped that the results of this study, directly or indirectly, can help further research in the same field. Furthermore, this study can benefit football development in Malaysia, whether at the school or national level.