Coach/player relationships in tennis.
The present study examined the variables that predict coach/athlete compatibility. Compatibility among a sample of 52 elite tennis coach/player dyads was assessed using a sport adapted version of Schutz's (1966) Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behaviour (FIRO-B), a sport adapted version of Fiedler's (1967) Least Preferred Co-worker scale (LPC), and Chelladurai and Saleh's (1980) Leadership Scale for Sport (LSS). Self-ratings of the quality of the interaction were obtained from both coach and athlete. Multiple-regression analyses using self-rating scores as the dependent measure were carried out to determine which variables best predicted the degree of compatibility. The sole inventory that significantly predicted compatibility was the LSS. More specifically, the discrepancy between the athlete's preferences and perceptions on the autocratic dimension was the best predictor. Implications for tennis coaches and recommendations for future research in this area are discussed.
Prapavessis
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Department of Human Movement and Recreation Studies, University of Western Australia, Nedlands.
Gordon
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D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D002648:Child; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012929:Psychological Distance; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012201:Reward; D012919:Social Behavior; D012928:Social Desirability; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D013715:Tennis / Q000193:education; D013997:Time Factors