Appendices

Construct Operationalisation

Attentional focus was operationalised as the verbalised cognitive processes related to task-relevant information during performance. Using the Think-Aloud method participants were instructed to continuously verbalise their thoughts while completing a sport-specific task. Verbal reports were transcribed and coded into themes. Leadership skills were operationalised as verbal behaviours reflecting communication, decision-making, motivation and teamwork. These behaviours were identified through the transcripts and codes and compared across athlete expertise levels.