The purpose of this paper is to apply the Prisoner’s Dilemma model of game theory to provide a basic theoretical framework for building good sport teams based on new methodologies to deal with behavioral and psychological problems encountered by coaches and team players. Major findings are as follows.
(i) The dilemma occurring among team members can be characterized as that of choosing between “cooperation” and “betrayal” in the Prisoner’s Dilemma game. A similar dilemma could occur between team players and coaches.
(ii)We identify two contrasting coaching methods; (a) use of authoritative power to directly intervene with players (we refer it to as “quick coaching”) and (b) formulation of spontaneous and cooperative atmosphere among players and people surrounding them (we refer it to as “slow coaching”).
(iii)A desirable coaching would be such that to allocate the authoritative power of coaches appropriately by applying an appropriate combination of “quick coaching” and “slow coaching.” We propose “ARAP model” consisting of four stages; (initial) ambivalence, reformation of self, accumulation (of experience), and (acquiring) proficiency.
