Lecture 31: Coach-Athlete Relationships

Question 1

What are the 3 variables that make up the coach-athlete relationship?

Answer 1

Individual Differences
Athletic Environment
Cultural Environment

Question 2

What are the two perspectives that govern the coach-athlete relationship?

Answer 2

Leadership perspective (leader determines relationship)
Relationship perspective (athlete and coaches thoughts are mutual and interconnected)

Question 3

Describe Chelladurai’s leadership model.

Answer 3

When required, preferred and actual leader behaviour match, performance & satisfaction will increase
Member characteristics –> preferred behaviour
Situational characteristics –> required behaviour
Leader characteristics –> actual behaviour

Question 4

What is the limitation of the leadership model?

Answer 4

It doesn’t incorporate the relationship perspective

Also doesn’t include self-efficacy as a consequence

Question 5

What is the benefit and drawback of the coach-athlete relationship?

Answer 5

Fundamental part of athlete development

Can be a source of stress

Question 6

What are the dimensions of the 3+1C relationship?

Answer 6

Closeness (thoughts and feelings shared between coach-athlete)–> affective
Commitment (attachment to one another while maintaining relationship over time) –> cognitive
Complementarity (environment where coach and athlete work together) –> behaviour
Co-orientation (inter-perceptions between athlete and coach) –> interconnects the other 3 elements

Question 7

How can a lack of commitment reveal itself?

Answer 7

Negative criticism
Lack of common goals
Lack of communication
Lack of emotional and informational support

Question 8

What are the three major emotions experienced when closeness is fulfilled between athlete and coach?

Answer 8

Liking
Trusting
Respecting

Question 9

Describe the inter-perception theory.

Answer 9

Direct perspective theory: whether athlete and coach like each other
Meta-perspective theory: how coaches/athletes perceive the other feels about them

Question 10

When does misunderstanding/ understanding occur in coach-athlete inter-perceptions?

Answer 10

When the meta-perspective theory is used

Question 11

When does agreement/disagreement occur in the coach-athlete relationship?

Answer 11

When the direct perspective theory is used

Question 12

What questionnaire is used to measure coach-athlete relationship?

Answer 12

CARTQ

Question 13

Why is the coach-athlete relationship better in individual sports?

Answer 13

Because coach can spend more time with the athlete

More time to spend building relationship

Question 14

What has research shown about athlete stage of participation and the coach-athlete relationship?

Answer 14

Mature athletes find the coach-athlete relationship more important
Could be due to parental influence at a young age
More negative consequences of having a poor relationship, therefore need to spend more time working on it

Question 15

Summarise the influences on coach-athlete relationship.

Answer 15

Sport type
Stage of athlete participation
Longevity of coach-athlete relationship
Gender
Cultural environment (different interpretations of three C’s)
Quality of motivation (need to want a close relationship)

Question 16

What is the difference between typical and atypical relationship?

Answer 16

Typical: just athlete and coach
Atypical: athlete, coach and a third party (parents)

Question 17

What are the obstacles to effective coach-athlete relationships?

Answer 17

Interpersonal Conflict
Compatibility vs. Incompatibility
Broken relationship rules

Question 18

Describe the compass model.

Answer 18

Describes what athletes and coaches need to invest in order to maintain a positive relationship
Conflict management 
Openness
Motivational 
Positivity 
Assurance 
Social networks
Support

Question 19

Describe the case of John and Lynne.

Answer 19

Conflict after Olympic Games
Differing perspectives on one another (both negative)

Used an intervention plan where issues were identified by CARTQ
Strategies formulated
Ensured that action plan was agreed on by both the athlete and the coach

Question 20

What are the two facilitators of the coach-athlete relationship that have been identified?

Answer 20

Empowerment (autonomy for both parties)

Communication

Question 21

What are the ethical issues surrounding the coach-athlete relationship?

Answer 21

Power & Authority (sexual harassment/ racial discrimination)
Exploitation (ticket to ‘big time’)