APA Dictionary of Psychology

an observation system, developed in the 1970s, for determining the frequency of 12 specific coaching behaviors and their effect on athletes. The behaviors may be exhibited by the coach in anticipation of or in reaction to an athlete’s or a team’s performance and include correcting, rewarding, giving negative feedback, instructing, and disciplining. A 2-hour instructional program, Coach Effectiveness Training, was later developed to teach coaches how to monitor their behavior, offer technical instruction, avoid expressing frustration, and praise good performance and effort. [originally developed by U.S. psychologists Ronald E. Smith (1940–  ) and Frank L. Smoll (1941–  )]