Decoding Markers of Submissiveness Strategy in Creating Group Identity Among Athletes

Сажетак

The relationship between coaches and athletes is often characterized by hierarchical power dynamics, in which coaches significantly influence athletes’ training, performance, and even personal lives. Consequently, the discourse between athletes and their coaches often reflects a delicate balance of power dynamics and eagerness to maintain good relationships. Within the context of team sports, athletes may adopt various strategies to establish and maintain their ingroup identity, including markers of submissiveness. These submissive behaviours can serve as a means for athletes to signal their willingness to conform to the group’s norms and expectations and foster a sense of belonging and cohesion within the team. This paper explores the linguistic and communicative strategies employed by athletes to express submissiveness within this asymmetrical power structure, shedding light on how athletes negotiate their subordinate positions and align their behaviours with the expectations of the coach-athlete relationship. These insights can contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex power dynamics that shape coach-athlete interactions and ultimately highlight how athletes navigate and maintain their ingroup identity within the sporting context.