An Examination of Coach and Player Relationships According to the Adapted LMX 7 Scale: AValidity and Reliability Study Gokhan Caliskan Gazi University, Physical Education and Sports, Ankara, Turkey The current study aims to test the reliability and validity of the Leader–Member Exchange (LMX 7) scale with regard to coach–player relationships in sports settings. A total of 330 professional soccer players from the Turkish Super League as well as from the First and Second Leagues participated in this study. Factor analyses were performed to test the construct validity of the LMX 7. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a one-factor solution for the LMX 7. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable fit indices (χ 2 (14) = 31.36; p = .001; χ 2 /df = 2.24; GFI = .95; CFI = .97; SRMR = .05). Cronbach`s alpha (α = .84) and construct reliability (CR = .85) indicated that the reliability of the LMX 7 was quite good. Factorial Invariance (Δχ 2 diff = 4.49; p > .05) across samples provided cross-validation using Multi-Group Confirmatory Analysis (MGCFA). The MGCFA supported the model of league invariance. Evidence of cross validation and configural, metric, and scalar invariance tests suggested that the LMX 7 scale preserves its factor structure, factor loadings, factor variances, and item uniqueness equally well. Chi-square difference tests revealed full invariance (Δχ 2 (6) = 11.45; p > .05) and partial scalar invariance (Δχ 2 (6) = 9.46; p > .05). Overall, these results show that the LMX 7 scale is reliable and valid for examining coach–player relationships. Keywords: LMX Theory, coach–player relationship, confirmatory factor analysis, measurement invariance, soccer INTRODUCTION In the last decade, coach–player relationships have been the subject of great interest among researchers (Yang & Jowett, 2013), as these relationships have interpersonal dynamics that influence the quality of players’ and coaches’ personal experiences, the degree of successful coaching, the perfor- mance success of the players, and the level of psychological well-being (Jowett & Cockerill, 2003; Lyle, 2002; Poczwardowski, Barott, & Jowett, 2006; Yang & Jowett, 2013). Initial research examining the dynamics evident between players and their coaches has primarily utilized either the Multidimensional Model of Leadership in Sports (Chelladurai, 1993) or the Mediational Model of the Coach–Player Relationship (Smoll, Smith, Curtis, & Hunt, 1978). In both models, the coach’ s leadership role has been stressed as having a major influence on players’ sporting successes or failures (Fletcher & Roberts, 2013). Smith, Smoll, and Hunt (1977) developed a Coach Behavior Assessment System (CBAS) that allowed for directly obser- ving and coding coaches’ leadership behaviors. This system attempts to measure coaches’ behaviors, players’ percep- tions and recollections of these behaviors, players’ attitudi- nal responses in different situations, and coaches’ leadership behaviors during practices and games. Scholars have focused on the relations between coaches and players and on how these relationships contribute to maximizing the players’ performances. Carron and Bennett (1977) adapted the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation (FIRO), which is based on Schutz’ s(1966) theory of inter- personal behavior, to examine the sources of coach–player Correspondence should be sent to Dr. Gokhan Caliskan, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Gazi M. Abant S. No. 12, 06330, Yenimahalle, Ankara, Turkey. E-mail: caliskan.gokhan@gmail.com Color versions of one or more of the figures in the article can be found online at www.tandfonline.com/hmpe Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science, 19: 22–33, 2015 Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC ISSN: 1091-367X print / 1532-7841 online DOI: 10.1080/1091367X.2014.977996