Content area
Full Text
The examination of cohesion in the realm of team sports has been studied./rom a number of perspectives (ie., adherence, leadership, performance, and interpersonal relationships). Although this body of research has advanced our understanding of the importance of cohesion in small group sports, the specific techniques and strategies utilized by coaches to foster and promote cohesion among their players has gone unexamined This study was conducted in two phases to first identify techniques and behaviors that motivate and demotivate athletes in their sport, and then second, to determine the impact these various strategies and behaviors have on team cohesion. In the second phase a case study method was used to obtain thick description of athlete-coach interaction through the use of in-depth interviews. Findings identify numerous techniques that deter (ie., inequity; embarrassment, and ridicule) and promote (i.e., bragging, sarcasm and teasing, motivational speeches, qualit of opponent, athlete directed techniques, team prayer, and dedication) team cohesion levels.
Matheson, Mathes, and Murray (1997) suggest athletes come and go, continually changing the makeup and quality of their teams. This causes many to wonder how a team could be successful one year and then become less successful the following year. Moreover, there are teams with a significant number of talented athletes that are unable to perform at high levels, while other teams with limited talent are able to beat the odds and win championships. Cohesion is one factor that has often been connected to group performance and has been defined as "an individual's sense of belonging to a particular group and his or her feelings of morale associated with membership in groups" (Bollen & Hoyle, 1990, p. 482).
The connection between coaching (the coaches use of various leadership styles during interaction with the team) and cohesion has been described by a number of researchers (Carron, 1978: Carron. & Chelladurai. 1981 a, Chelladurai. 1984a; 1984b; Gardner, Shields, Bredemeier, & Bostrom, 1996; Schriesheim, 1980; Spink & Carron, 1994; Westre & Weiss, 1991; Widmeyer, Carron, & Brawley, 1993). Both elements are central to the development of many groups, and the way leaders promote and create high levels of group cohesion have a dramatic effect on the way a group performs. These factors are evident in the way coaches use motivational techniques to ensure...