This study examined the relationship between coaching behaviors and traits and their impact on athlete motivation and affective learning in a collegiate coactive team setting. By conducting in-depth interviews with NCAA Division I men’s tennis players at a Midwestern, mid-sized University it was discovered that Coach Craig Keller’si credibility and caring behaviors had the most salient impact on athlete intrinsic motivation, his use of mild verbal aggression and his career record had the most salient impact on athlete extrinsic motivation, and his extreme verbal aggression and lack of feedback/praise significantly decreased their levels of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Moreover, the athletes noted that Coach’s credibility and caring behaviors increased their levels of affective learning, his will to win and desire to be professional increased affective learning through trait modeling, and his inability to follow through with claims decreased their affective learning. The most significant finding was that Coach’s dynamic leadership had the most positive impact on player intrinsic motivation while his mild verbal aggression had the most positive impact on player extrinsic motivation. However, it was discovered that this type of leadership ceased being motivational when the sentiment of the messages became negative and singled out individual players. / Department of Speech Communication

This thesis is comprised of four studies. The first study aimed to examine the measurement invariance of the Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (11-item, athlete version CART-Q) employing a total of 1,363 athletes from Belgium (n =200), Britain (n =382), China (n =200), Greece (n =115), Spain (n =120), Sweden (n =169), and the United States of America (n =177). Multi-group mean and covariance structure (MACS) analyses supported the factorial validity of the CART-Q in a three-first order factor model across the seven countries. An examination of the latent mean differences of the CART-Q revealed that there are some variations in terms of the intensity athletes perceive in the quality of the relationship with their coach across the different countries. Overall, these results supply additional evidence of the psychometric properties of the CART-Q and highlight that it is a sound instrument that can be applied cross-culturally. The second study attempted to identify the cultural nuances that exist in Chinese coach-athlete relationships from an derived-emic perspective. Eight-hundred Chinese coaches and athletes completed the long and short versions of the CART-Qs. Results supported the reliability across the CART-Q versions examined, while confirmatory factor analyses only supported the factorial validity of the three-first order factor model of the 11-item CART-Q. The findings indicated that the corresponding aspect of complementarity may not best capture the Chinese coach-athlete behavioural interactions. Thus, it suggested that future research should consider conceptualising and measuring the coach-athlete reciprocal interactions in terms of coaches dominant behaviours and athletes submissive behaviours within Chinese sports context. The third study examined the nomological validity of the 11-item CART-Qs with 350 Chinese coach-athlete dyads. Big-Five personality traits and relationship satisfaction were employed as the criterion variables of coach-athlete relationships. Results revealed: (a) actor effects of personality traits, namely, conscientiousness, extroversion, and neuroticism, on both coaches and athletes perceptions of relationship quality and (b) partner effects of only athletes personality, namely, conscientiousness, extroversion, and neuroticism, on their coaches perceptions of relationship quality. The findings suggested that each relationship member s personality trait contributed independently to relationship quality, because no interaction effects of the coach s and the athlete s personality traits on relationship quality were found. In addition, the findings also supported both actor and partner effects of the coach s and the athlete s perceptions of relationship quality on their satisfaction with training. Based upon the relevant theory and findings generated from the previous three studies, the fourth and final study aimed to fill the gap in the relevant literatures by expanding the construct of complementarity to include coach-athlete reciprocal behaviours, namely the coach s dominant and the athlete s submissive behaviours. Study 4 included 4 phases reflecting the process undertaken to develop and validate the Dominant-Submissive Behaviours Scales. Phase 1 generated a pool of items based on the relevant literatures and feedback from the coaches and athletes; these items were then assessed by three panel groups including academic experts, coaches and athletes. In phase 2 and phase 3, confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the construct validity, nomological validity, and internal reliability of the developed scales. As a result, the 10-item coach s dominant behaviour scale and the 10-item athlete s submissive behaviour scale were derived. Phase 4 employed athletes from five different countries to assess the cross-cultural validity of the submissive scale, and results supported the full structural invariance of the athlete s submissive behaviour scale across the five countries. Overall, results confirmed the dominant-submissive scale is a valid measure for assessing another dimension of complementarity in coach-athlete relationships. Collectively, this thesis has expanded the current knowledge of coach-athlete relationships to a broader social-cultural context by recruiting coaches and athletes from eight different countries across two continents. It is therefore plausible to conclude that the conceptualisation of the 3+1Cs model and the CART-Q seem to be universal across diverse cultures at a generic level. However, future research needs to continue discovering the universals as well as the variations of human behaviours in the content and the quality of coach-athlete relationships. Key Words: Chinese, dominant, submissive, coach-athlete, relationships, cross-cultural, CART-Q

Motor coaches are an integral part of the transportation system. It was observed that occupant fatalities and serious injuries occur in rollover more frequently than in any other type of accidents for these vehicles. Several regulations such as Economic Commission for Europe Regulation 66 (ECE R66) are issued to minimize the catastrophic consequences of rollover accidents. Passing “Motorcoach safety plan” which is based on a complete vehicle rollover test of ECE R66 will be mandatory in North America in the near future. However, the cost of a single physical test encourages researchers to perform numerical simulations prior to a complete vehicle rollover test. In this thesis, the integrity of a coach seat and the effects of different restraint configurations on the safety of passengers in rollover are numerically studied. To perform this research, a new modeling approach, which is computationally effective and highly suitable for parametric studies, is proposed. Firstly, a detailed model of two seats of a coach is developed and validated against experimental results. Anthropomorphic Test Devices are then introduced to the model and acceleration history of a physical rollover test is imposed on the system. The model is solved using non-linear explicit dynamic Finite Element code LS-DYNA®. Injury criteria values are extracted and compared to the experimental results. An acceptable level of correlation is achieved that confirms the validity of the model and the reliability of the modeling approach. The integrity of the seat in a rollover is analyzed showing the necessity of an anchorage test prior to a whole coach rollover test. The results of a parametric study on the safety of passengers reveal the high probability of partial ejection if the retractor does not lock properly in a rollover. It is also shown that the safety of occupants can be improved if retractor pretensioners be introduced to coaches. / February 2017

Background: Concussion in adolescent american football occurs frequently and can give serious damage, especially to the younger brain. SAFF has guidelines for management and rehabilitation. The guidelines to be followed are called “Hjärntrappan”.  Purpose: To investigate a group of coaches experiences of management and rehabilitation after concussion, in adolescent american football in Sweden. Design and method: Qualitative exploratory design, based on semi structured interviews. Five coaches were included in the study. The data was analyzed using content analysis according to Graneheim and Lundman. Results: The coaches experienced limited skills in management and rehabilitation in concussions. There was a major responsibility for the medical staff, were competence varied widely and there was no requirement regarding education about concussion. There was limited knowledge of the work of the football association and its guidelines were not fully implemented. The coach education contained a limited part regarding concussions. A mandatory part about concussion for both coaches and medical staff was suggested to improve current management and rehabilitation. Conclusion: Treatment and rehabilitation regarding concussion need to be expanded in the coaches education courses. A knowledge certificate should be introduced for the medical staff for management and rehabilitation of junior players as well. Future research could study how rehabilitation is followed after concussions, or mapping risks in the management and rehabilitation of brain shocks in junior teams. / Bakgrund: Hjärnskakning inom amerikansk fotboll, i ungdomsleden, är ett känt problem och sker frekvent. Svenska Amerikansk Fotbollförbundet har riktlinjer för hantering och rehabilitering vid hjärnskakning, som kallas Hjärntrappan. Syfte: Undersöka vilka upplevelser och erfarenheter juniortränare, till pojk- och flicklag mellan åldrarna 14 - 19 år inom amerikansk fotboll i Sverige, har av hantering och rehabilitering vid hjärnskakningar. Metod: Kvalitativ explorativ design, som baserades på semistrukturerade intervjuer. Fem tränare ingick i studien. Datan analyserades med hjälp av innehållsanalys enligt Graneheim och Lundman. Resultat: Tränarna upplevde en begränsad kompetens gällande hantering och rehabilitering vid hjärnskakning. Ett stort ansvar låg på den medicinska personalen där kompetensen varierade mycket och det saknades krav på utbildning angående hjärnskakningar. Det saknades kunskap om förbundets arbete och dess riktlinjer var inte fullt implementerade. Tränarutbildningen innehöll en begränsad del gällande hjärnskakningar. En obligatorisk del om hjärnskakningar för tränare och medicinsk personal ansågs kunna förbättra nuvarande hantering och rehabilitering. Konklusion: Behandling och rehabilitering rörande hjärnskakningar behöver utökas i tränarutbildningen. Utbildningskrav bör införas för medicinsk personal för hantering och rehabilitering även på juniornivå. Framtida forskning skulle kunna studera hur rehabilitering följs efter hjärnskakningar, eller kartlägga risker vid hantering och rehabilitering av hjärnskakningar inom juniorlag.

Throughout the history of the NFL, several head coaches have found significantly more success than their peers. The purpose of this paper is to provide a better understanding of what personal and tactical dimensions have set these coaches apart. This paper will study the most successful coaches of the past, as well as today’s most successful coach, Bill Belichick. Through case studies, this paper identifies possible explanation for Belichick’s current run of success in an NFL that grows more competitive each season. Specifically, this paper looks at the relationship between players and coaches, and how Leader- Member exchange plays a very important role in the success coaches will find. Leader- member exchange (LMX) has not been studied in the NFL, and this paper predicts that future research in this area will find the most important factors of LMX to be trust, respect, and predictability of actions. This paper also looks at the role of the head coach outside of his player relationships, and how vast football knowledge is not enough to lead an NFL team to success. Head coaches that are most successful differentiate themselves from others through the tactical side of the game, in many different aspects, including player acquisition, game preparation and tactics, personnel management and decision- making. Last, this paper examines the coaching career of Bill Belichick, and why he has found immense success in the NFL. Further research in the field of player-coach relationships would provide a clearer answer for successful coaches in the NFL.

This paper is an account of the Theatre VCU mainstage production of Pride & Prejudice, in which I played the roles of Mrs. Bennet and of the vocal coach. In order to address the various skill levels of the cast, I planned to coach the production in a manner inspired by immersion language learning programs, with the cast speaking in dialect throughout the rehearsal process so as to learn the necessary vocal skills and to grow together as a theatrical ensemble. When the director of Pride & Prejudice was not receptive to this plan, I had to compromise and adapt while fulfilling my duties as actor and coach. The paper includes my initial ideas, a detailed account of pre-production, rehearsals, and performances, and an analysis of the many lessons I learned about artistic collaboration and the art of dialect coaching for the stage.

Background: The incidence of eating psychopathology in athletes is considerably higher than in the general population. Facilitating the early identification and successful management of eating problems in this group is therefore essential. Objectives: The thesis aimed to improve our empirical understanding of the identification and management of eating problems in athletes. Three areas were investigated. First, a measure of compulsive exercise was evaluated as a method of identification of eating psychopathology in athletes. Second, the thesis explored coach methods of identification and management of eating problems among their athletes. Finally, athlete experiences of disclosing and seeking treatment for eating disorders were explored. Main findings: The Compulsive Exercise Test was found to be a useful measure in screening for eating psychopathology in athletes. Track and field coaches relied heavily on the physical symptoms of disordered eating when identifying potential eating problems in athletes. Coaches described difficulties in identifying eating psychopathology in athletes, and in signposting athletes to appropriate support. Individual differences in the perceived value of disclosing an eating disorder were discovered among athletes currently seeking treatment. Lastly, athletes described struggling to engage with their eating disorder treatment programme, particularly where exercise was restricted or reduced. Implications: The findings suggest a need for greater support, education and resources for coaches and sports professionals in identifying and facilitating treatment access among their athletes. The Compulsive Exercise Test may be one way to assist sports professionals in identifying athletes with elevated levels of eating psychopathology. Athletes may be more willing to engage with treatment programmes when they are closely involved in goal setting and their exercise and sporting commitments are incorporated where possible.

Title: Training and competitive activity in the age category minitenis. Objectives: Description, analysis and subsequent evaluation of the training process and competitive activity in the age category minitenis Methods: Observation, document analysis , interview with using the instructions Results: From the first part of the interview it was obvious that five of six surveyed persons recruit efficiently in a way that gets results. The second part of the interview was focused on the organization and layout of the training itself. I discovered that coaches are trying to lead their training sessions in initiative way. Composition of their training is in accordance with the general principles of sports training. From the result of the third part arise that the half of the couches do not prefer to involve such small children in competitions of individuals but rather they encourage matches played in teams. Keywords: minitenis , babytenis , recruitment , tournament, training , coach, sports training children

Title: Analysis of didactic interaction with selected handball teams Objectives: The aim is to analyze the behavior and speech of coaches from various clubs in the female junior category during three matches at a tournament, record the results and then compare their average values per match with each other and with the theory. The final assessment will show values from a truncated system of analysis didactic interaction (ADI) and in particular the ratio of the average values from selected subcategories among the coaches. Methods: We received the data from coaches in the form of a voice recording. The evaluation of the obtained data is numerical forms - tables and graph. Results: According to the theory, coaches should praise their charges and correct their mistakes. This corresponds with the obtained results. During practices, information is relayed using a dominant form of expression and praise is minimal. Also, the rate of correction in comparison to the rate of observation was low. Key words: Coach, match, correction, children, handball, ADI

Title: Coaching the coach in the game Aims: To diagnose coaching performance in two competitive matches of youth category. In the following, I will focus on the forms of coach behavior and postural activity. Research questions: How and in what form should the coach motivate his players in a match? What influence will the match and its result have on the coach and his postural activity in the monitored matches? How does the coach give instructions and feedback? Methods: To achieve the goals I use the method of observation, audio and video recording method and the method of teaching interaction (ADI) Results: The objective of this work was accomplished. The research questions were answered. Recommendations were presented for coaches. Keywords: coaching, coach, trainer, feedback information, instruction