Building a Relationship Culture in Sport

Abstract

AbstractCaring relationships with athletes form the foundation of successful coaching. Without relationships, athletes often wonder why they are playing for a coach or why they are working so hard for a coach. This article presents ideas for developing a six-pillar relationship culture in sport settings based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, emotional intelligence, social–emotional learning, vulnerability and empathy, and education-based athletics. Additional informationNotes on contributorsBradford StrandBradford Strand (Bradford.strand@ndsu.edu) is a professor in the Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences at North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND.