Communication for the athlete in you

“The difference between knowing the path and walking the path”- Morpheus

As a strength and conditioning coach, a great challenge of mine is bridging the gap between scientific research and practical application. For example, most athletes are not concerned with a scientific/biomechanical reason for an increase in speed; they simply want to get fast. Yet, learning some of the science is necessary for them to learn how to improve on their own, well beyond my coaching. I believe that to bridge this gap, as coaches, we must master effective communication. The challenge lies in choosing language that is both clear and concise but still gets across the scientific depth and reason behind the exercises I choose. Adding to the difficulty, I must also use language in a way that conveys my passion and unwavering certainty regarding the proper execution of the task at hand. Here, I use the term “language” to refer to both what we as coaches say and how we say it.

WHAT WE SAY | TO-THE-POINT

What we say refers to the actual words and phrases we use. As previously mentioned we need to be brief and crystal clear. When coaching, the shorter the phrase the better. We call them coaching cues. Phrases like, “set yourself”, “stay tight”, “be quick” are some that I find myself saying over and over again on a daily basis. In these short phrases are explicit, much more detailed directions. My intention here is to break down a complex task that demands a lengthy explanation so that when coaching I do not interrupt the flow of the training session. Usually, I use short phrases like these in sequence, step by step, to unfold the entirety of an exercise. By the end, my athletes are able to put the exercise together themselves and reuse the phrases because I communicated them to-the-point.

HOW WE SAY IT | WITH STYLE

I believe how we say it speaks much louder than what we say; louder than anything any coaching cue I could give. How we say it can be summed up in one word: STYLE. All coaches have their own style. It often takes time and experience to hone in on your own coaching style. Once mastered, great coaches don’t change their style for anyone or anything. Their style shows in the way they carry themselves and what they demand of themselves. They do not need to speak about it. Their actions and reactions communicate their style. The best coaches carry with them a presence that is impossible to ignore. After years of playing and dozens of coaches I can clearly remember the best one’s because of what they are, their coaching style, not because of what they say.

Stay believing,

Pete Athans #27

e: pathans@goibelieve.com

fb: Peter Athans

Pete is a strength and conditioning coach at West Point Military Academy and director for Athletics programs for iB-LIEVE.