TY - JOUR T1 - Understanding the role parents play in tennis success: a national survey of junior tennis coaches JF - British Journal of Sports Medicine JO - Br J Sports Med SP - 632 LP - 636 DO - 10.1136/bjsm.2005.024927 VL - 40 IS - 7 AU - D Gould AU - L Lauer AU - C Rolo AU - C Jannes AU - N Pennisi Y1 - 2006/07/01 UR - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/40/7/632.abstract N2 - Objectives: To assess coaches’ perceptions about the role of parents and their positive and negative behaviours in junior tennis. Methods: A national survey of 132 United States junior tennis coaches was completed. The extent and seriousness/impact of parent-child interaction problems and positive behaviours were rated. Results: Parents were perceived as very important for junior tennis success. Most parents (59%) that these coaches had worked with were seen as having a positive influence on their player’s development. However, the respondents also felt that 36% of parents negatively influenced their child’s development. Positive parental behaviours included providing logistical, financial, and social-emotional support, as well as tennis opportunities and unconditional love. Negative parent behaviours included overemphasising winning, holding unrealistic expectations, and criticising their child. Conclusions: Findings are discussed relative to current sport parenting and athletic talent development research and theorising. The need to educate parents is emphasised. ER -