AbstractsRecreation

Due to the limited research applying the coaching efficacy model (Feltz et al., 1999) to individual sports, this study aimed to examine the relationships between gymnastic coaches' ratings of their coaching efficacy and athletes' perceptions of their coach's effectiveness, including how such perceptions are related to performance outcomes for the gymnasts. Gender differences observed in existing coaching efficacy/effectiveness literature were also examined. Participants were coaches (N = 16) and their gymnasts (N = 109). Coaches and gymnasts completed revised versions of the Coaching Efficacy Scale (Feltz et al., 1999). Demographic information, coaching efficacy/effectiveness ratings and performance scores were analysed. Results revealed the following: no coaching effectiveness dimension significantly predicted performance; no gender difference existed for game strategy efficacy scores; gender mismatch between coach and gymnast did not predict effectiveness ratings; and overall, coaches rated themselves higher for efficacy than their athletes rated their coach 's effectiveness. Results are discussed in relation to the assessment of coaching efficacy/effectiveness in gymnastics, limitations of the current study and differences between gymnastics and' other sports previously investigated.