COACH COMMUNICATION SCENARIO QUILLAN, HIVA, DYLAN, KYLE

STEP 1  Schedule a meeting with your coach – in person.  This shows organization and responsibility skills  If your communication with your coach is poor, it’s important to make a good first impression when you get the chance to talk to him, which leads to Step 2.

STEP 2  Go to the meeting prepared with questions as will with what you have to say  Also shows organization skills  Shows you are dedicated to having the title/position of captain  Communication is one of the most important aspects of being a leader, so make sure you are prepared to make a good impression with your coach if you have previously struggled to communicate with them.

STEP 3  First part of the meeting – Organize communication with the coach  Discuss with the coach how you two can communicate better.  This will show him/her that you want what’s best for your relationship, which ties in with the bettering of the team  It is probably a good choice to cover this first, since it was the main issue you had in the first place with becoming captain.

STEP 4  Second part of the meeting – Ask coach about his concerns  Ask the coach about his concerns/ideas that you can help with first. He/She knows what’s best for the team.  Shows you care and respect his opinion  Try your best to use a “help me help you” approach, and be engaged in the conversation.

STEP 5  Third part of meeting – talk about your concerns  Talk about your concerns and ideas for the team  Shows that you care about having a positive team experience/atmosphere  Also, ask him for his advice of what he would do if he were captain  Shows that you care about being a good leader

STEP 6  Final portion of meeting – Expectations  Ask the coach what he expects of you as a captain and leader of the team  Ask his advice, about his experiences  If he sees you care, the relationship will become stronger, as well as the communication

STEP 7  Continuing Communication  After the initial meeting, continue communication with your coach  In the practice/competition setting  Outside the practice/competition setting  Crucial to continue the positive relationship

STEP 8  Interval Meetings  After the initial meeting, schedule weekly, monthly, etc. meetings with your coach  Shows dedication and organization skills  Keeps issues on the team up to date as well as how to deal with them in the best manner possible  Teamwork between the captain and the coach is just as important as teamwork of the team

STEP 9  Positive communication in front of team  Have positive communication with the coach in front of the team  Keeps the atmosphere enjoyable and motivational. People perform at their best when they are happy  If the team sees positive communication between you and the coach, it will allow them to feel more comfortable around the coach as well, creating more positive relationships

STEP 10  Involving other coaches  Also have positive communication with the other coaches as well  Having as many positive relationships that you can is beneficial to you, the coaches and the team

SUMMARY Having a positive relationship through communication with your coach is a very important aspect of being a captain. An unhealthy relationship with the coach, as a captain, will cause many problems that will eventually leak into the team, creating negative consequences and disorganization.