1. Communication
GAA Award 2 1

2. GAA Award 2 – Communication Outcomes
By the end of this Module participants will be able to:
Identify their own current strengths and weaknesses in relation to their
communication skills within coaching
Demonstrate effective Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication skills
Discuss the complex nature of Communication in Coaching
Provide appropriate feedback in a range of Coaching situations 2
Communication 2

3. Communication Strengths?
In groups of no more than 6:
Each coach to deliver a 2 or 3 minute ‘role play’ (the topics are on the hand-out) The purpose of which is to determine what communication skills, traits and characteristics each person currently has.
The role plays will be conducted in small groups and the others in the group are to provide feedback on such aspects as voice (pace, tone, pitch and volume), mannerisms, tendencies (e.g. repeated words or phrases), body language etc.
Each individual is to write down (for their own benefit) the feedback from their group on their current communication skills & be given time to establish a plan of action/ways to improve.
Communication

4. Types of Communication in Coaching
Non-Verbal
Listening
Demonstrations
Body Language
Others?
Verbal
Use of voice
Language
Questioning
Feedback
Others?
Tutor Notes:
Tutor Led Discussion
Communication can be Verbal or Non-Verbal
Verbal
Use of voice - Tone, pitch, volume, pace
Language - Can what you say be understood by the players? Is it clear? Is it in ‘their’ language
Questioning - Types of questions
Feedback - Constructive, framed in a positive manner, accurate, timely, clear, ensures players are aware of what is required to improve
Others?
Non-Verbal
Listening - Ensuring that you are truly listening with an open mind, not hearing what you want to hear
Demonstrations - Must be accurate, relevant and explained
Body Language - Body language often portrays your true feelings on a subject. Your body language will often let you down!!
Points for Tutor to Remember:
Where your verbal and non-verbal communication matches, players respond, where verbal and non-verbal do not match, players respond to the non-verbal cues.
Questions for Tutor to Ask:
What other forms of Verbal or Non-Verbal Communication is there?
How can any of the types be employed?
How much of our communication is non-verbal?
In what situations is it best to use verbal communication? Can the coaches give examples from their own background?
In what situations is it best to use non-verbal communication? Can the coaches give examples from their own background? 4
Communication 4

5. It’s not just WHAT you say that matters:
WHY you say it
WHEN you say it
HOW you say it
WHERE you say it
And
WHO you say it to
Use this slide to make the group think about their use of verbal communication, that it’s not just about the words themselves – it’s what you do with them that is of more importance.
Communication

6. Verbal Communication
The emotion conveyed in the commentary makes the video footage come alive!
Communication

7. Non-Verbal Communication
Even illogical things can make us react in a certain way – what we do DOES affect other people – as tutors they need to be constantly aware of that
Communication

8. Coaching Scenarios
Tutor Notes:
Group Work
Divide participants into small groups, approx 4 per group. Aim is to challenge their verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Each coach is provided with a skill and are asked to demonstrate the skill to their group, using either verbal or non-verbal communication skills.
Tutor to observe and feedback.
Questions for Tutor to Ask?
In what situations might it be only possible to use either Verbal or Non-Verbal communication skills?
In what situations might it be preferrable to use either Verbal or Non-Verbal communication skills?
In pairs, each coach is provided with a skill and asked to demonstrate either verbally or non-verbally to their partner 8
Communication
Presentation title in footer 8

9. Communication in Coaching
The Role of the Coach is to create an environment where:
Players can learn to play Gaelic games
Risk is encouraged in order to succeed
Coaches challenge players in a variety of situations
Players are encouraged to be part of the coaching process
Which communication skills can a coach employ to achieve these?
Tutor Notes: Small group discussion & feedback to the whole group, discuss the complexities of communication with youths
Tutor Led Discussion
The communication skills of the coach are crucial to creating the coaching environment.
Players can learn to play Gaelic games
e.g. Providing information, encouraging practice, offering feedback and support/advice
Players are free to risk error to succeed
e.g. requires a good rapport with the player, a supportive environment, encouraging without a fear of recrimination. Reference the coach/player contract between players and coaches
Coaches challenge players in a variety of situations
e.g. requires a good rapport, using effective questions allows coaches to challenge players in a non-threatening manner
Players are encouraged to be part of the coaching process
e.g. inclusive verbal and non-verbal communication. The coach listens to players views and actively encourages player participation. 9
Communication 9

10. The Questioning Coach?
Why would a coach use questioning in their coaching?
Questioning Coaching Vs Telling Coaching
Confident or lack of knowledge?
Tutor Notes:
Tutor Led Discussion
The questioning coach:
Tutor to ask group: Why would a coach use questioning?
Gather feedback on Flip Chart etc
Comparison of the questioning coach vs the telling coach?
Is a questioning coach displaying confidence, or a lack of knowledge? 10
Communication 10

11. Questioning in Coaching
Types of Questions you might ask in Coaching?
In groups discuss:
Before a training session
At the end of a training session
At half time in a match
Questions that the coach might ask of themselves
Tutor Notes:
Group Work
Participants to identify some of the types of questions that might be asked in coaching:
Before a training session
At the end of a training session
At half time in a match
Questions that the coach might ask of themselves 11
Communication 11

12. Close your eyes…& listen
Tutor notes: Discuss what was ‘heard’ and what this has to do with coaching. Answers are many and varied, but what you are looking for them to grasp is that what we ‘hear’ isn’t always the full story – we need to truly listen to what is being said or heard in order to interpret it appropriately. This will impact on the coaches ability to get the best out of their players
Communication

13. Why do we listen? We listen in order to: Gain information Get feedback
Participate in conversation
Get others’ insights and experiences
Broaden our horizon i.e. to learn
Create a relationship
Put the slide up and let the group read it for themselves – welcome any other reasons for listening – if significant – add it on a flipchart sheet
Communication

14. Barriers to listening Selective listening Beliefs and attitudes
Technical language/jargon
What we hear as opposed to what was said
Physical distractions
Poor attention span
Talking speed/speed of thought
Communication

15. Listening?
What do you notice about the mans listening skills? How does the woman cope with this?
Communication

16. Some Tips to becoming a better listener
Stop talking
Give your full attention
Avoid interruption
Clarify your understanding (take notes, paraphrase..)
Avoid making judgements
Communication

17. What is feedback? How do you make ‘feedback’ truly effective?
Tutor notes: Group discussion on what feedback is – it is actually the recalling of something that has happened earlier. To make it ‘effective’ there must be something resulting from it – e.g. a suggestion to do something differently or clarification that something was done particularly well
Communication

18. Feedback in Coaching
Effective feedback requires a combination of your verbal and non-verbal communication skills
Remember Feedback should be:
Accurate
Relevant
Timely
Framed positively
Also remember: non-verbal communication might portray your true feelings on a subject (ensure your verbal & non- verbal communications are matched!)
Tutor Notes:
Tutor Led: Review the questions fed back against the types of questions: 18
Communication 18

19. Return to the initial task….
In 2’s or 3’s:
discuss the initial task in this module (2/3 minute role plays to identify current strengths and weaknesses) in relation to how the feedback was given to each of you. Could it have been given more effectively?
Discuss situations you have faced recently while coaching and how you might (?) have re-worded the feedback to make it more effective
10 mins
Tutor notes: Allow time for discussion then ask for a few examples to be brought to the whole group
Communication

20. Feedback in Coaching - Summary
As much as is necessary – if there’s nothing to say, say nothing!
Make it meaningful
Don’t lie – it doesn’t do anyone any good
Little and often rather than a lot at once
If you only provide feedback at the end, keep it short!
Tutor Notes:
Tutor Led: Review the questions fed back against the types of questions: 20
Communication 20

21. GAA Award 2 – Communication Outcomes
By the end of this Module participants will be able to:
Identify their own current strengths and weaknesses in relation to their
communication skills within coaching
Demonstrate effective Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication skills
Discuss the complex nature of Communication in Coaching
Provide appropriate feedback in a range of Coaching situations 21
Communication 21

22. Thank you 22