The aim of this study was to analyse the differences between the self-perceptions of preferred and perceived leadership behaviours in high performance handball players at two different moments of the season and, at the same time, analyse the existing modifications in the two behaviours during a competitive period. The sample was composed of 71 professional players who answered the Leadership Scale for Sport questionnaires (LSS1 and LSS2). The results showed significant differences between the preferred and perceived behaviour in all the studied behaviours in the two different moments of the season except for the democratic one (preseason), as well as significant differences between the preferred behaviour (pre- post) and the perceived behaviour (pre-post) in all the studied behaviours. We conclude that the self-perception that the players have of their coach differs between what they prefer and what they perceive depending on the moment of the season.