EFFECTIVE COACH-ATHLETE COMMUNICATION

The cycle of receiving, retaining and understanding

Effective communication in sport is not about how much the coach talks, but how much the athlete absorbs.

The teaching process should be viewed as a cycle that is only complete when learning is verified.

According to experts in sports pedagogy, the transmission of information requires ensuring three steps: Reception (the athlete hears the message), Retention (the athlete remembers the message under pressure) and Comprehension (the athlete understands why and how to apply it).

Imagine a tennis coach giving tactical instructions between sets. Instead of launching into a five-minute diatribe on unforced errors, he should be concise and check the transmission.

He might say, "I need you to attack your backhand with high balls to open up the court. Can you repeat what the plan is?"

By asking the player to paraphrase the instruction, the coach confirms that the message has been received and understood, increasing the likelihood that it will be retained and executed when he or she returns to the court.

Sandwich technique and constructive correction (public praise, private criticism).

Managing correction and feedback is a delicate art. To maintain the athlete's confidence and receptivity, it is crucial to know when and how to criticize. A rule of thumb is "praise in public and correct in private."

Public criticism can generate embarrassment and resentment, closing communication channels, while public recognition reinforces self-esteem and desired behavior.

When correcting a technical or tactical error, it is useful to employ the "sandwich" technique or constructive approach: start with a positive comment about the effort or what was done well, insert the specific correction needed, and close with words of encouragement or confidence in the ability to improve.

For example: "I really liked the intensity with which you entered the game (bread).

I need you to have more patience in the penalty area and not be too hasty when shooting (meat). I know you have the quality to score those goals next time (bread)."

This ensures