| The main goal of this study was to explore factors that contribute to a positive relationship between student athletes and coaches. There have been problems with abusive coaching tactics in athletic programs leading to poor relationships between coaches and student athletes. Coaches would accordingly benefit from greater attention to their own emotions and those of others, to how they regulate emotions, and to developing an optimistic outlook that can improve coaching efficacy. The purpose of this qualitative, single-case study was to explore factors that promote a positive relationship between student athletes and coaches. Semi-structured, open ended interviews were conducted of 10 adults aged 18 and over, five males and five females, at a multi-sport business facility in northern California. Purposeful sampling was used to select the 10 participants, who took part in in-depth interviews, filled out a questionnaire, and offered their observations. Throughout the research, it was evident that athletes defined the quality of their relationship with their coaches in terms of whether they felt committed to and respected and whether coaches exhibited a friendly, relate-able, and empathetic attitude. The findings also suggested that positive reinforcement is a key motivational factor for athletes to do their best and to become more knowledgeable about a sport. This research contributed to the existing literature on the coach-athlete relationship and on coaches' perceptions of emotional intelligence and in the process pointed to the need for further investigations of coaching efficacy strategies. |
