This study determined how coaching styles and strategies influenced the perceived coaching performance of basketball athletes in public secondary schools. Through researcher made questionnaires distributed to 63 student-athletes aged 12-15 from selected secondary schools in one of the Divisions of Region IV-A, the research assessed athletes for specific coaching approaches and their perceived effectiveness. Utilizing a descriptive-correlational research design, the study focused on four coaching styles: Reciprocal, Command, Problem-Solving and Guided Discovery. Coaching strategies were measured based on the following: Communication, Player Development and Organization. While coaching performance were assessed based on Instructional Strategy, Organizational Strategy, Social Relationship Functions, Relationships with athletes and Influence on athletes. The findings revealed that Problem-Solving and Guided Discovery were the most preferred coaching styles, while Player Development emerged as the highest-rated strategy. Significant positive correlations were found between the Problem-Solving style and key areas of coaching performance, particularly Organizational Strategy. Additionally, strategies such as Social Relations and Organization were strongly linked to overall coaching effectiveness. The study emphasized that effective basketball coaching relies not only on tactical instruction but also on empowering athletes through problem-solving opportunities and fostering strong coach-athlete relationships. These findings suggest that adopting athlete-centered and relationship-driven coaching practices play a vital role in enhancing player development and performance.

Keywords: coaching styles, coaching strategies, coaches’ performance, basketball athletes, player development, athlete perception, public secondary schools