Coach-Athletes Communication: Data from the Communication Behaviors Evaluation System

Abstract

This study analyzes coach-athletes’ communication using the Communication Behaviors Evaluation System (CBES). This system provides a broad and complete perspective regarding the interactions between coaches and athletes by including data from coaches, athletes and from an observer. The CBES was used to monitor the communication between coaches and athletes from four different teams, during one game (observation). Athletes and coaches evaluated their communication behaviors using the Communication Behaviors Questionnaire (CBQ). The study included sixty-four futsal male athletes aged between 13 and 43 years-old (M = 18.98, SD = 7.05) and their coaches, all male and aged between 29 and 43 years-old (M = 35.75, SD = 5.26). Results revealed six important aspects: (1) the CBQ assumed a two-factor structure of positive and negative behaviors but one item has deleted; (2) coaches assumed positive behaviors more frequently than negative behaviors; (3) positive spontaneous behaviors were slightly more frequent than positive reactive behaviors; (4) coaches perceived themselves as displaying more negative reactive behaviors than negative spontaneous behaviors; (5) positive feedback and encouragement after failure were the most frequent positive behaviors; and (6) negative feedback was the most frequent negative behavior. In sum, CBES assumed to be a useful tool to evaluate coaches-athletes’ communication.