ABSTRACT
The ability of a coach to be perceived as fair by players when making decisions is important in the functioning of the team. When a coach makes decisions with a consistent criterion and justification, the players can better understand the actions, behaviours, and attitudes of their coach in situations that can become contentious. In this chapter a theoretical explanation of perceived competence and justice in the head coach will be discussed. Further, the importance of the five coach competence dimensions and the four factors of justice will be analysed. In addition, previous research with business and sports groups will be reviewed, which has shown that perceptions of the different facets of perceived justice influence behaviours and attitudes of members of a group. Finally, selected results with professional football players will be presented. This chapter provides evidence about the emergence of disruptive behaviours of the players towards the coach or to his/her teammates since the perception of unfairness in decision-making within the team can generate unrest and discontent by some team members.
