Diversifying approaches to research on athlete-coach relationships

Objective: To present a new methodological strategy for the exploration of interpersonal dynamics in athlete-coach dyads. Method: Analytical research-review of methodological approaches to studying athlete-coach dyads. Results: The following directions for future research were identified: (a) diversifying units of analysis and considering multiple units of analysis in studying interpersonal relationships; (b) shifting the methodological and conceptual focus from the individual to interindividual unit of analysis; (c) diversifying theoretical frameworks that can be used to understand athlete-coach relationships; (d) diversifying methodological approaches to examining athlete-coach dyads, which will allow for matching specific research problems with appropriate methodological solutions; (e) considering a more general framework of inquiry that suits the emerging field of interpersonal relationships in sport; and (f) diversifying the phenomena under study (e.g. including interpretation and meanings, diversifying issues and populations). Conclusions: The athlete-coach relationship as a research territory is 'topographically' mapped out with concrete recommendations for future projects. Further, there is a need to maintain sport specificity of the theoretical models of athlete-coach dyads. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.