Abstract
Sport Psychology is a study area within the field of Psychology that aims to contribute to the improvement of psychological aspects and performance during sports practice, either amateur or professional. Behavior Analysis plays a relevant role in this scenario, enabling professionals to observe and evaluate environmental contingences of trainings and competitions. The relationship between technical committee and athletes is subject to numeral variables, including the leadership style characterizing the environment. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the interaction and communication established between technical committee and basketball athletes based on behavioral observation and leadership models. The study comprised athletes and members of the technical committee of a professional basketball team. Data were collected using a video camera and processed using The Observer XT - Noldus® software and SPSS 23.0®, providing descriptive and correlational statistical analysis. The results show that the leadership style adopted by the technical committee directly influences athletes’ behavior. When the
committee exercised an authoritative leadership, behaviors based on negative reinforcement were more frequent, such as observing and obeying the coach or encouraging colleagues after an error. In turn, democratic leaderships lead players to guide other players more often, organizing plays and commenting movements - always upon the coach’s endorsement.
Keywords:
Behavior Analysis; Leadership; Basketball; Sports Psychology