Motivation Through Communication
“You can communicate without motivating, but you can’t motivate without communicating.” Pat Riley, Heach Coach Miami Heat.
A player’s performance can be dramatically improved with open lines of communication between player and coach. On the same hand, a player’s performance can be negatively affected by poor communication channels.
Don’t Be a Moto
I have coached countless youth soccer games at the club, recreation and high school level.
When players made an error I would be quick to point out what they did wrong. “You should have pressured the ball,” “Why didn’t you penetrate by dribbling, why pass?”, “Shoot, Shoot, Shoot!!”
I was being a Moto, ‘Master of the Obvious’. Constantly telling players what to do and reminding them what they did wrong.
Game Day
During many youth soccer games, there is no shortage of coaches and parents ‘communicating’. At your next game, take the first 2 minutes to observe your opposing coach. Often, it’s less than 30 seconds from the start of the game, before some form of communication is delivered.
Players are never allowed time to figure out the challenges they face and come up with solutions. During a game, there are many – opponents, field surfaces, referees, teammate’s choices, etc.
Communication can be vital for a team in the competition. Player’s might not recognize tactical changes by the opposition as they are mainly reacting. Coaches are primarily analyzing.
Constant yelling and screaming throughout is seldom an effective way to communicate during a game.
Coach: Player
To improve the performance of your players and/or team; first, you have to motivate each person and this can only be done through effective communication.
Communication is the invisible thread that connects motivation with performance. Your ability to apply effective communication steps builds a stronger coach-player relationship.
8 Breakthrough Steps
- Remove threat – establish co-constructed goals
- Create Trust – fairness must be applied across all players
- Show respect – players, officials, league administration, parents, athletic director, other coaches, family
- Promote openness – share ideas with the team
- Make yourself available – on/off the field, emails, texts, social media
- Display vulnerability – admit errors, let players assess the coach
- Empower players – accept and value their opinions
- Give player/team ownership – allow players to lead practice
3 Methods of Effective Communication
Para- verbal
Words that are communicated are not as effective as your tone of voice. This is more about how you make a coaching point, not what is actually said.
“We need to hold a high line and DROP before the kick,”. Dropping is the key player action that players need to understand.
Non-Verbal
- Gestures – pointing, signaling
- Facial Expressions – reflects the health of your team
- Eye contact (or lack thereof)
- Body language – demonstrate support, encourage
- Posture
Listening
Your listening skill is the most important, and usually the weakest link in the process. Listening provides details, it allows you to gather information about your players’ thoughts.
Listening needs to be practiced. During your next practice/game work on the following
Step 1 (Gather Information)
- Receive feedback without interrupting
- Hear and understand
- Observe a player’s body language especially during a moment of failure
Step 2 (Provide a Solution)
- Start with a question, rather than provide answers.
- Ask open-ended questions – how, what, when or where. Avoid ‘why’ questions after a mistake, as it invites judgment.
- Allow your player the opportunity to come up with solutions, players will be more motivated
To improve your player or team’s performance, you must communicate effectively. Communication must be specific and transmitted both ways – coach: player and player: coach.
Effective communication leads to players being motivated. Their level of motivation will be higher if they are involved in the solution and understand what is taking place.
What methods do you use to motivate your player’s performance?
Resources
US Soccer, National ‘A’ License Audit, July 2007
US Soccer, National ‘A’ License Course, June 2008
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