Code of Ethics and Confidentiality

Integrity as the foundation of the profession

The practice of sports coaching is not based solely on technical tools or psychological knowledge, but on an unwavering ethical foundation.

The fundamental principle that governs any intervention is that the integral well-being of the athlete must always take precedence over any competitive result, medal or club interest.

The integrity of the coach manifests itself in radical honesty about his or her own qualifications and the limits of his or her methodology.

It is imperative to avoid generating false expectations or promising guaranteed results, as athletic performance is multifactorial and depends on variables beyond the direct control of the coaching process.

Respect for the athlete implies recognizing his absolute autonomy; the coach does not impose his vision of the world or manipulate emotionally to achieve obedience, but facilitates the athlete to find his own path to excellence from the freedom of choice.

Confidentiality: The cornerstone of trust

The relationship between coach and athlete is sacred and is based on an implicit and explicit contract of confidentiality.

For the process to work, the athlete must be absolutely certain that the "coaching space" is a secure bunker.

Everything that is shared in session - fears, insecurities, criticisms of the environment, existential doubts - must remain private and cannot be shared with coaches, managers, press or family members without the client's express consent.

This golden rule admits only one ethical and legal exception: when there is an imminent risk to the life or physical integrity of the athlete or third parties.

Without this guarantee of secrecy, the athlete will never take off his social mask to work on his real internal blockages.

Information management in multidisciplinary teams

The ethical challenge is intensified in team sports or when the coach is part of a technical staff hired by a club.

Here the dilemma of dual loyalty arises: who do I owe, the player who opens up to me or the club that pays my bill? A robust code of ethics establishes clear communication protocols from the beginning of the working relationship.

It should define precisely what information is reportable to management (e.g., attendance, overall commitment level, goal achievement) and what information belongs in the intimate sphere and is protected (personal conflicts, confessions of weakness).

Navigating this boundary with transparency protects the coach from being seen as a "spy" for management and preserves the therapeutic alliance with the athlete, which is the real driver of change.

Summary

The practice of coaching rests on an ethical foundation where the overall well-being of the athlete takes precedence over any outcome. Integrity demands honesty over methodological limits.

Confidentiality is the cornerstone for the athlete to work his or her blocks in a safe bunker. Without consent, private information should never be shared with third parties.

In multidisciplinary teams, there must be clear communication protocols about what information is reportable. Navigating this boundary with full transparency protects the strategic alliance with the athlete.