What Does a Modern Coach Need to Become a Master in Dialogue with a Player?

Abstract The aim of the research was to discover students’ opinions on the characteristics and qualities of a coach that, in their opinion, determine the structure of a relationship based on dialogue in the process of sports training. A diagnostic survey was used for the research by asking the respondents an open-ended question: „What do you expect from a coach who you would consider to be a master in dialogue with an athlete?”. The study involved 103 students of the Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw studying in the first year of full-time studies, majoring in sport. There were 80 men (77.7%) and 23 women (22.3%) in the study group. The average age of the respondents was 19.3 years. 76.3% of the students surveyed stated that they do sports. An analysis of the students’ statements was conducted in relation to the normative model of the personality of a physical culture specialist (Hodan & Żukowska 1996), which distinguishes three dimensions of this profession: specialist, pedagogue and human being. The analysis of the statements clearly indicates that, in their opinion, in order for a coach to become a master in dialogue with an athlete, he or she must strive to develop his or her competences, which are defined by all three dimensions indicated above.