Observations were made of coaches' interactive behavior during competitive games, and the quantity and quality of interaction between 38 coaches and their athletes were recorded. Interactions were categorized as: (1) positive--verbal praise, nonverbal affirmative gestures; (2) neutral--lecturing, giving commands, pointing, demonstrating; and (3) negative--verbal criticism, grimacing, frowning. Analysis of the data revealed: (1) Coaches spent approximately one-half of their time observing, absorbed in the action of the game, and not interacting with their players; (2) The most common coaching behavior directed to an individual player was nonevaluative or instructive; (3) Male coaches provided significantly more verbal praise and encouragement than did female coaches; (4) Coaches of winning teams were characterized by greater use of verbal and nonverbal, neutral, and negative interaction; (5) Coaches of losing teams displayed more positive interaction (praise, support) with their players; and (6) Individual interactions occurred most frequently when the score was tied. (JD)