Applying Group Norms in Sport: Practical Considerations for Coaches

Coaches strive to create a cohesive group structure that promotes athletic and team performance. One way to accomplish this is by establishing group norms as they have been shown to facilitate group member interactions and improve team performance. Despite evidence indicating that norms play an important role in shaping team dynamics and outcomes (e.g., team culture, cohesion, communication), there is a lack of resources for applied practitioners, particularly coaches. The purpose of this article is to synthesize literature on group norms and present practical considerations for coaches to better apply group norms in sport.