Coaching can affect athletes' performance and psychological well-being through the communication and feedback that the coaches provide. Both internal and external factors affect the communication process and the effectiveness of the feedback. Objective: The objective of the study was to increase the knowledge associated with feedback during 1 minute breaks in direct elimination matches at fencing competitions. This, by gaining insight into how fencing coaches experience the feedback they give to their fencers. In addition, the purpose is to generate knowledge of factors in the communication process that affect feedback. Design: Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Method: Three fencing coaches, with at least one epée fencer at top 8 on the national ranking list for senior men/women, were interviewed using a semi-structured guide. Questions about their communication and feedback in different scenarios, different situations, and factors were asked. Results: The coaches purpose of the feedback was to get the fencers into their individual zone of optimal functioning (IZOF). The coaches focused mostly on the psychological aspect and tactical feedback, with less focus on technique. The relationship between the coaches and fencers was percieved as one of the crucial factors for effective communication and feedback. Conclusions: As athletes are influenced by coaches' communication and feedback, it is important to understand what is sent and why, and also what the coaches percieve the fencers receive and the following experienced response. By gaining in-depth understanding of factors that affect, the coaches can make more active choices that lead to more effective communication and feedback, and thereby better performance.

Syfte Syftet med detta arbete var att ur före detta tävlings-fäktares perspektiv undersöka orsakerna bakom de omfattande avhopp som sker i övergången mellan ungdoms- och seniorklass i svensk fäktning, samt vad föreningar och förbund kunnat göra för att motverka dessa avhopp. Studien syftar även till att undersöka vilka åtgärder föreningar och förbund kan göra för att främja återupptagandet av tävlande enligt före detta tävlings-fäktare. Vilka orsaker ser före detta värj-fäktande ungdomar till varför de slutade tävla? Vilka åtgärder kunde föreningar och förbund vidtagit enligt före detta värjfäktare för att förhindra deras avhopp ifrån tävlande som ungdomar? Vilka åtgärder kan enligt före detta värjfäktare föreningar och förbund vidta för att främja återupptagande av tävlande? Metod Studiens teoretiska utgångspunkt är motivationsteorin self-determination theory (SDT) och är genomförd med en kvalitativ ansats. Sex semistrukturerade intervjuer har genomförts med före detta fäktare. Intervjuerna har analyserats med tematisk innehållsanalys. Resultat Respondenterna upplevde ett kompetensbekräftande genom tävlandet samt en stark känsla av tillhörighet och när dessa faktorer försvann eller minskade i omfattning ledde det till avhopp. Vidare framkom att avhoppen hade kunnat förhindrats. Därutöver framkom att fäktarna kan ställa sig positiva till att återuppta tävlandet som motionärer ifall det skulle finnas en attraktiv breddverksamhet vad gäller både tävlingar och träningar. I ett återupptagande av tävlandet hade det sociala sammanhanget varit högt prioriterat men också möjligheten att få mäta sig mot fäktare på liknande nivå som de själva i anpassade tävlingsformer. Slutsats Det fanns ett starkt samband mellan avhoppen och att de psykologiska behoven upphörde att uppfyllas av deltagande i sporten. Svensk fäktning kunde under ungdomsåren starkt uppfylla behoven kopplade till att känna samhörighet och kompetens och även i viss mån autonomi men misslyckades med att tillgodogöra de grundläggande psykologiska behoven när fäktarna blev äldre. Vidare visar detta vikten av att föreningar och förbund arbetar aktivt med att tillgodose de grundläggande psykologiska behoven för motivation ifall avhoppen ska minskas och för att främja till återupptagandet av tävlande. / Aim The aim of this study was to investigate, from the perspective of former competitive fencers, the reasons behind the high level of drop outs that occur in the transition between youth and senior levels in Sweden, as well as what clubs and federations could have done to counteract these drop outs. The study also aimed to investigate what measures clubs and federations can take to promote the resumption of competing according to former competitive fencers. - What reasons do former épée fencing youths give as why they stopped competing? - According to former épée fencers, what measures could clubs and federations have taken to prevent youth drop out? - According to former épée fencers, what measures can clubs and federations take to promote the resumption of competing? Method The study's theoretical framework was the self-determination theory (SDT) and the research body was qualitative. Six semi-structured interviews have been conducted with former fencers. The interviews have been analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results The results showed that the former fencers had experienced a confirmation of competence through competitions, as well as a strong sense of belonging to their teammates and friends in the sport. When these factors disappeared or decreased, it led to drop outs. It also emerged that these drop outs could have been prevented. In addition, it emerged that the fencers are positive about resuming competition recreationally if there is an wide range of activities in terms of both competitions and training targeted at recreational fencers. For the resumption of competing, social context has been identified as a high priority. Another high priority is the opportunity to compete against fencers of a similar level to themselves in adapted forms of competition. Conclusions There was a strong correlation between the drop out of youth fencers and their psychological needs not being fulfilled in the sport. During childhood of the respondents, participation in fencing strongly fulfilled the need for a sense of belonging and feeling of competence, and to a certain extent autonomy. Fencing in Sweden however failed to provide this as the fencers got older. Furthermore, if drop outs are to be reduced and the competing is to be resumed, the study demonstrates the importance of clubs and confederations working actively to meet the psychological needs of the athletes.