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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Cooperative Style Communication
Straightforward
Positive
Confident
Encouraging
Two way communication

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. End of Chapter