The Communication Flow
- The coach has a thought that he/she wants to tell the athlete.
- The coach translates the thought into a message.
- The coach conveys the message — verbally or nonverbally.
- The athlete receives the message.
- The athlete interprets the meaning of the message.
- The athlete responds inwardly and/or outwardly to the message.
Sometimes this flow is smooth and sometimes it's not. It is based on the clarity of the message and the athlete's understanding of the message.
What Makes Communication Ineffective
- The content of the message may not fit the situation.
- The message does not adequately communicate your intentions.
- The athlete does not receive the message.
- The athlete does not understand the message.
- The athlete misinterprets the content of the message.
- The message itself is inconsistent.
Ineffective communication is not about finding fault. Poor communication can be a result of many factors as noted above. Finding where the communication flow stopped is the key to building successful communication between coach and athletes.
Developing Credibility When You Communicate
Your credibility is the single most important element in communicating effectively with athletes. Your credibility is reflected in the trust athletes place in you as a coach. Athletes give you initial credibility because you are the coach. You also have the ability to maintain and build upon this place of trust or to lose it. Once lost, it is tough to get back. How can you build credibility as a coach?
- Be a balanced coach
- Know your sport, be willing to learn more and be honest about what you do not know
- Be reliable, consistent and fair
- Express empathy, warmth and acceptance of your athletes and where they are in their development
- Be positive
Coaching Tips
- It is natural for athletes to play and joke around.
- If athletes behaved perfectly, they would not need a coach.
