THE PHENOMENON OF LEADERSHIP IN SPORTS TEAMS: SIGNIFICANCE AND FORMATION PECULIARITIES

Abstract

Effective management in the context of sport is contingent upon the capacity to exert targeted and systematic influence. This, in turn, is inextricably linked to the manifestation of leadership and leadership qualities at both the individual and collective levels. In team sports, influence should emanate not only from coaches and staff, but also from the players themselves. This underscores the necessity of identifying and fostering professionally significant leadership qualities in each team member. The phenomenon of leadership at the team level can be defined as the process by which one group member influences the rest, thereby altering the collective mood, motivation, psycho-emotional state, commitment, cohesion, and other psychological indicators of the team. Despite the abundance of theoretical material on the essence and significance of leadership in various professional fields, the study of the role and importance of leadership in sports, particularly in football, remains a relevant and practically significant research direction. The objective is to ascertain the impact of leadership influence on the success of sports teams. Methodology. A critical and comparative analysis of scientific and methodological literature, as well as Internet sources. Results. The analysis of specialized literature and the generalization of practical experience show that theoretical knowledge about leadership and its application in the training of football players can: a) increase the ability of sports teams to overcome crisis periods; b) expand methods and opportunities to increase the motivation of team members; c) reveal the leadership potential of each player and develop specific leadership qualities; d) improve the psychological climate and psychoemotional atmosphere during training and competition. In general, leadership development, regardless of the sport, is aimed at improving athletes. An understanding of leadership principles and qualities among coaches and team members can facilitate motivation for players to engage in rigorous training, pursue continuous improvement, and function effectively in challenging circumstances. Players can display informal leadership qualities in different ways. The article identifies and analyzes the main types of leaders in sports teams, which are as follows: «competition captains,» «culture captains,» «chemistry captains,» «campus captains,» «sub captains,» and «star player.» Conclusions. A synthesis of the literature and practical experience in team sports, particularly football, reveals that the presence of diverse leadership types capable of performing different functions under diverse circumstances is crucial for effective preparation and overall competitiveness of sports teams.