To date, little research has explored differences between competitive and recreational youth sport contexts beyond descriptions of inherent features. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine if differences existed between competitive and recreational youth sport on (a) observed quality delivery and (b) youth’s perceptions of basic psychological needs satisfaction and developmental experiences. Forty-six youth sport teams participated in the study from competitive (n = 23) and recreational contexts. This study adopted a multi-method approach of self-report questionnaires and researcher observations. Teams agreed to be involved in observations (n = 3), questionnaires (n = 12) or both methods of data collection (n = 31). Quality was assessed through 216 observations (n = 134 competitive; M_{per team} = 6.55), while basic psychological needs satisfaction and developmental experiences were examined through two questionnaires (N = 413) completed at season end. Descriptive statistics and MANOVAs were calculated for all measures and associated subscales. Results revealed non-significant differences between competitive and recreational programs, despite high scores across the three measures. Significant effects are discussed related to of coaches’ years of coaching experience on program quality and ethnicity ratios on positive developmental experiences. Also discussed are notable effect sizes on opportunities for belonging and choice, where recreational contexts scored higher than competitive on each factor. Results offer understandings of how coach delivery can be enhanced, regardless of context, to optimize developmental benefits for youth. Implications are discussed for how future research can explore the complexities of different sport contexts, including associated coaching practices.

迄今为止，除了固有特征的描述之外，很少有研究探索竞争性和休闲性青年运动背景之间的差异。这项探索性研究的目的是，检查以下方面的竞争性和休闲性青年运动之间是否存在差异：（a）观察到的质量传递和（b）青年对基本心理需求的满足感和发展经历。46个青年运动队从竞争（n  = 23）和娱乐环境中参加了这项研究。这项研究采用了一种多方法的自我报告调查表和研究者观察的方法。小组同意参与观察（n  = 3），问卷（n = 12）或两种数据收集方法（n = 31）。通过216项观察评估质量（n  = 134竞争；_每队M  = 6.55），同时通过 在赛季末完成的两份问卷（N = 413）检查基本的心理需求满意度和发展经验。计算了所有量度和相关分量表的描述性统计量和MANOVA。结果显示，尽管在三个项目中得分都很高，但是竞争项目和娱乐项目之间的差异并不显着。讨论了与教练多年的教练经验有关的课程质量和种族比率对积极的发展经历有关的重大影响。还讨论了显着的影响力大小对归属的机会和选择，其中娱乐环境在每个因素上的得分均高于竞争性得分。结果提供了对如何在不考虑背景的情况下如何提高教练水平以优化青年人的发展利益的理解。讨论了对未来研究如何探索不同运动环境（包括相关教练实践）的复杂性的含义。