The study evaluated the effects of training a tennis coach in the use of goal setting and consisted of three phases. At baseline (Phase 1),11 training sessions without interference from the researcher were recorded. The intervention (Phase 2) consisted of 10 sessions in which the coach was taught how to observe and record the target behaviors, plan criteria for proficiency of the occurrences and provide feedback by proposing changes when necessary. The post-intervention (Phase 3) was similar in structure to the pretest. Throughout the phases, verbalizations and other behaviors of the coach (recording, participating and varying exercises) were recorded and categorized. An increase was noted in the percentage of instructions, corrections, descriptive compliments, records of athletes' performance and the coach's participation in the exercises, and a reduction in the percentage of critical/sarcastic attitudes throughout and after the intervention. The coach's behavior became generalized into other contexts and athletes reached their goals. Our results call for further discussion.
Behavior analysis; Coach training; Goal setting; Sport psychology
