Communication: A Two-Way Street

Effective communication requires two skills: (1) the ability to SEND messages and (2) the ability to RECEIVE messages. Coaches need to know when to talk and when to listen.
There are two parts of every message: (1) the CONTENT, or what is being said, and (2) the EMOTION, or how it is said. There may be problems when a player interprets what is being said incorrectly, because of the way it is said.
Effective coaches use a positive approach in communicating with young people. They explain what a player has done correctly, where improvement has been noticed, in addition to suggesting ways that errors can be corrected. The positive approach gives the player confidence that he or she can do what is being asked of them.
Coaches must know how to LISTEN to their players. Concentrate on what the athlete is saying. Do not assume you know what they are going to say. Ask questions, dig deeper, so the athlete knows you understand, and are interested.
Almost 70 percent of our communications are NON-VERBAL. Facial expression, tone of voice, gestures, the manner in which we stand or sit, all of these convey our feelings---sometimes more clearly and truthfully than the words we are speaking or hearing. Coaches must be aware that their "body language" is telling their players more than the words being exchanged.