Relationship


 * ﻿ The Relationship Perspective **


 * What is the Relationship Perspective? **


 * How coaches and athletes think and feel about one another, and also how they think that the other perceives them.



Why is this important?
 * Relationship perspective can affect a coach's ability to impact his or her athlete and can certainly affect the performance of the athlete.
 * "The Coach-Athlete Relationship is recognized as the foundation of coaching and a major force in promoting the athlete's physical and psychosocial skills." Sophia Jowett (2005)



What factors are involved in a successful coach-athlete relationship?


 * The key to a successful coach-athlete relationship is positive growth to enhance motivation to perform well.




 * Concepts involved in positive growth are trust, responsiveness, empathy, goal-setting, cooperation, understanding, and acceptance.
 * This video of Auburn University's head football coach Gene Chizik is a testament to what a positive coach-athlete relationship looks like. []
 * Feelings of mistrust and deceit can take away any chance for motivation and be detrimental to performance.



Models for a successful Coach-Athlete Relationship 3C's + 1 Model
 * Closeness - Emotional feelings and attachment towards one another.
 * Commitment - Willingness to stick with your coach/athlete trusting in their abilities to either lead or perform.
 * Complementarity - How well personalities and characteristics match to create a positive environment for sport.
 * Co-Orientation - Composed of interperceptions and metaperceptions.


 * 1) Interperceptions - How one feels about the other.
 * 2) Metaperceptions - How one feels the other perceives the m.

Compass Model
 * Conflict Management - Patience, understanding, co-operation, and willingness to listen during disagreements.
 * Openness - Constructive feedback and praise when appropriate and ability to share feelings and opinions.
 * Motivation - Motivated and passionate to work hard with coach/athlete.
 * Preventative - Upfront expectations and regular talks on relationship status
 * Assurance - Coach/athlete can be reliable and talk about anything.
 * Support - Can be considerate of external and personal problems and provide assisstance during difficult times.
 * Social Network - Mutual friends and affiliations, and time spent socializing outside of training.

References: Jowett, S. (2005). The coach-athlete partnership. The Psychologist, 18, 412-415.

Rhind, Daniel J. A., Jowett, S. Relationship Maintenance Strategies in the Coach-Athlete Relationship: The Development of the COMPASS Model. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, Jan-Mar2010, Vol. 22 Issue 1, p106-121.

Taylor, J., Wilson, S.W. (2005). Appling sport psychology: Four perspectives. Champagne, IL: Human Kinetics.