Contradicting Coach or Grumbling to Teammates : Exploring Dissent Expression in the Coach–Athlete Re...
Exploring Dissent Expression in the Coach–Athlete Relationship

<jats:p>The purpose of this study was to examine dissent expressed by athletes. Seventy-three former high school or college athletes from a variety of sports completed an online survey. Results indicated that athlete status and coaches’ openness to feedback associated with upward dissent expressed to coaches. And that for high school coaches a lack of openness to athlete feedback and less time spent in a starting role associated with lateral dissent expressed to teammates. Overall the findings suggest that dissent functions similarly within the coach–athlete/sport context as it does within the superior–subordinate/organizational context, particularly with regard to high school athletics.</jats:p>