There are many aspects of sport psychology, however none will be more important to coaching than learning how to communicate with your athletes and understanding what motivates them to train and compete in sports. By default, successful coaches are good sport psychologists — skillful communicators and motivators.
Coaching is communication. Every act of coaching requires you to communicate. As a coach you must be able to communicate effectively in countless situations.
Teaching athletes how to do certain skills, run plays
Talking to an official who you believe has made an incorrect call
Talking to parents or caregivers about their family member
Communication is more than a two-way process; it is dimensional. Communication encompasses sending and receiving messages, verbal and nonverbal language and emotions and feelings involved in the content of the message.
Coaches must be as skillful in receiving messages as they are in giving clear understandable messages. Successful coaches need to be sharp, active listeners so they can understand their athletes.
It is also essential that coaches be aware of nonverbal communication. It is estimated that over 70 percent of communication is nonverbal. Therefore, coaches must be aware that their athletes are constantly observing and modeling their actions.
Content is the substance of the message and emotions and feelings pack the content.
Coaching Tips
Communicate unto others as you wish them to communicate unto you.
