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Communication between coaches and players

The communication between a head coach and his players is very important when discussing sport communication. Coaches must understand that proper communication between themselves and the athletes is vital when wanting to have a successful team. Through the use of proper communication methods the coaches can get all the athletes on the same page to accomplish the common goal. A coach must be aware of the message they are delivering to the athletes as they could be sending the wrong message at the wrong time, the right message at the wrong time, the wrong message at the right time or the right message at the right time ^[1] . Timing is everything when it comes to sports and if you cannot inspire your team in the crucial moments failure is due to ensue. 

Team coordination

Through the use of the proper message the coach is able to coordinate the team to work together to accomplish their goal. Team coordination is the process in which the coach arranges team member’s actions in a way that they are combined in solidarity for the most effective result ^[2]. 

Forms of communication within sports

Verbal Communication

Verbal communication is the use of sounds and language to relay a message ^[3]. The use of verbal communication is important within sport as it is the best way for a coach and athlete to discuss what they want to do and ensure that their signals do not get crossed ^[4].

In football, verbal communication is vital for the coaches to communicate their messages to their players. Through the use of radio transmissions a coach will transmit the play that they want the offense or defense to run. The coach will send the signal that can be heard in the quarterback’s helmet on the offense, and in the helmet of the captain on the defense. These verbal transmissions are very important to the success of the team as without these the messages both the offense and defense would not know what to do. 

Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication is very important in many sports, especially baseball. Nonverbal communication refers to all communicative acts except speech. This includes our facial expressions, gestures, eye contact and posture ^[5].

In baseball, a manager of a team cannot simply tell one of his players to bunt or steal as this would tip off the other team. The manager instead uses an array of hand and arm gestures to relay to his players exactly what he wants them to do ^[6]. This nonverbal communication has to be executed to perfection because if their signs get crossed they will not be on the same page and the player may do something that may jeopardize the teams chance of winning.               

Visual Communication

Visual communication is described as any image used to communicate an idea, whether it is a sign, poster, drawing, photograph or television advertisement ^[7]. In other words it is a form of communication that is achieved through the use of a visual aid to convey an idea or information that can be read or looked upon.

In sports such as hockey and basketball the coach will use visual aids such as whiteboards to draw up specific plays for the players to do in certain situations. This use of visual aids is very effective in describing what the coach wants each player to do in order to gain control of the game and eventually win.                                                 

Coach/player relationship

The relationship between a coach and their player is one of the most important relationships that can be formed in the sporting world. When a coach and athlete have a solid relationship they can communicate effectively and get on the same page ^[8]. When an athlete and coach can communicate efficiently they have a better chance at success as they know what is expected from each other and what each is capable of doing.

Examples of coach/player relationship

Bill Belichick and Tom Brady

One of the most successful coach/player relationships of all time is that of Coach Bill Belichick and Quarterback Tom Brady. The combination of Belichick and Brady have been working together for the better part of 14 years for the New England Patriots. Since Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have been together they have accumulated numerous records and are continuing to break more with each passing season. One of the most important of these records is the most regular season wins by a Coach/Quarterback combination in NFL history with 164 (as of October 11, 2015) and this number just keeps on getting bigger with each season they are together. The two also have been to 6 Super Bowls in 14 years and have won a total of 4 in that time.

                The reason these two have been so successful for so long is the fact that these too can communicate efficiently and effectively and have done so for many years. Belichick and Brady have worked together for so long that they both know what each other is thinking when it comes to a certain situation within a game. This effective communication is due to the fact that for the past 14 years Tom Brady and Bill Belichick meet with each other twice a week, usually on a Tuesday and Saturday to discuss exactly what their game plan is going to be for the upcoming week. Since there is 17 weeks in the NFL season minus the bye week, that’s is close to 40 meetings a year ^[9]. Due to these weekly meetings these two are able to be in constant open communication. When these two meet it is strictly business, they do not discuss their personal lives and stick to football. This prevents the two from being distracted from their objective which is to win football games as that is their common goal. Brady has said “He knows me as well as anybody. I know what he expects of me. He trusts me to do my job and lets me do my job.” This trust that Belichick has shown Brady is due to the fact that these two are able to communicate effectively and shows just how important strong communication skills are in relation to sport. 

References