Communicating with your Athletes Miss Muller SHMD 119 Sport Didactics & Coaching Unit 6

Index of Chapter Three dimensions of communication Six steps in communicating Coaching style and communication Developing your communication skills

1. Three Dimensions of Communication First Dimension: Communication includes not only sending messages but also receiving them Second Dimension: Communication consists of verbal and nonverbal messages Third Dimension: Communication has two parts: Content and Emotion Content: Substance of the message Emotion: How you feel about it

2. Six Steps in Communicating Step one: You have a thought of what you would like to convey Step two: You translate your thoughts into a message appropriate for transmission Step three: You transmit your message (verbal/nonverbal) Step four: Athlete receives your message Step five: Athlete interprets message Step six: Athlete responds internally to his/her interpretation of message

3. Coaching Style and Communication Command Style Communication Aggressive Intimidating More talk – less listen Interrupting Shouting Submissive Style Communication Tend to express agreement even when they don’t agree Speak soft Uncertain

Cooperative Style Communication Straightforward Positive Confident Encouraging Two way communication

4. Developing your Communication Skills Developing credibility when you communicate Communicating with a positive approach Sending messages high in information Communicating with consistency Learning how to listen Improving your nonverbal communication

Developing credibility when you communicate Being a cooperative style coach Being knowledgeable about the sport Being reliable, fair and consistent Communicating with a positive approach Provide honest, direct and constructive messages Try to catch your athletes doing good Avoid sarcasm

3. Sending messages high in information Provide athletes with specific information Be sure you understand the reason for your athletes’ behaviour before you judge the behaviour Focus comments on athletes’ behaviours, not them as people 4. Communicating with consistency When you promise to do something, make sure you do it Avoid gossiping Develop a sense of trust with your athletes

6. Improving your nonverbal communication 5. Learning how to listen Show the person speaking to you that you are interested in listening Once someone has spoken to you, check that you understand Express empathy 6. Improving your nonverbal communication Know how much of what you communicate is nonverbal Learn how to send and receive messages by reading body position, motion etc. Not so much what you say, but what you do

End of Chapter