Coaching is a profession that requires a great deal of communication. Coaches must be able to clearly and effectively communicate expectations, goals, standards, and feelings to their athletes. They must also be able to listen carefully to the goals, frustrations, and feelings of their athletes. Effective communication is essential in every aspect of life, and it is just as important for coaches and athletes.
Understanding the nonverbal messages that athletes send is a key to better understanding the athletes you are training. Outstanding coaches have communication skills that can move an athlete or team from negative to positive attitudes. They can express the intricate mechanics of movement in a clear and understandable way, and they can take a player from mediocre performance to an elite one by focusing on an athlete's individual learning and motivation styles. The coaching staff and their athletes must have a firm understanding and belief in the values of the program. Relationships between coach and administrator have come under increasing scrutiny, as research highlights the poor performance of athletes across the spectrum of college and professional sports when these relationships break down.
Training, strength and conditioning philosophies, and practice routines require attention to detail to be successful. Coaches earn the trust and respect of their athletes through the commitment that makes them better athletes and people. When athletes have a positive relationship with their coaches, they are more likely to listen to and follow advice that could improve their skills. Coaches should be aware of how they communicate with their athletes, as some coaches talk too much, digress about things that bore others, or distract athletes during practice. It is important for coaches to become self-aware in order to become effective communicators. Coaches are teachers and therefore need to be able to communicate effectively with their athletes.
When receiving messages, athletes may not share the same perception or hear the same message that the coach thought he was sending. Despite this, little time is spent helping coaches become better communicators, despite countless studies that emphasize the importance of successful communication. In conclusion, it is essential for coaches to have good communication skills in order to be successful. Coaches must be able to clearly express expectations, goals, standards, and feelings to their athletes. Understanding nonverbal messages is key for better understanding the athletes you are training.
Coaches should also become self-aware in order to become effective communicators.
