رابطه سبك هاي رهبري مربيان و انسجام گروهي تيم هاي فوتبال ليگ برتر ايران

The Relationship between Coachʹs Leadership Styles and Group Cohesion in Iran Soccer Clubs Super League

The present study examined the relationship between coachʹs leadership styles and group cohesion in Iran soccer clubs super league (2006-2007). The leadership scale for sport (LSS) and group environment questionnaire (GEQ) administrated for each 16 teams that compete in the league, but only 12 teams (264 Male athletes) give back questionnaires to researcher. The LSS contains 40 items that measures five dimensions of leadership behaviors; and The GEQ with 18 items assess the two dimensions of team cohesion. Cronbachʹs alpha coefficient was utilized to examine the internal reliability of LSS (r=0.91) and GEQ (r=0.71). Data were analyzed with Pearson correlation coefficient, repeated measures ANOVA, and Bonfferoni post hoc test in significance level of P<0.05. Results showed coachʹs behaviors of training and instruction, democratic, social support and positive feedback were all positively correlated to team cohesion and autocratic behavior negatively correlated to team cohesion. Comparison of coachʹs leadership styles demonstrated that soccer coaches exhibited higher in training and instruction (task oriented) and lowers in democratic behavior. Therefore, it seems coachʹs leadership styles especially autocratic and social support styles have high correlation to group cohesion.