Abstract
The close-relationship literature informed content analysis of open-ended responses of collegiate athletes (n = 431). Nineteen dimensions of closeness emerged, including the most frequently cited dimensions of communication, trust and mutuality. Dimensions were examined across sport type, gender, and level of competition. This study complements existing research on interpersonal dimensions, and specifically closeness, of the coach-athlete relationship and forwards a multi-dimensional, sport-specific, grounded understanding of closeness in the coach-athlete relationship. Results are discussed in terms of practical applications for sports practitioners and future directions for research are suggested.