Communication Is Key To Team Sports. So How Do Your Players Communicate?

Communication is key to all forms of interpersonal interaction. Whether it’s a relationship between two people or colleagues working together, good communication is essential to success. And that’s especially true when it comes to team sports.

Of course, it’s not as simple as just telling your athletes to talk to one another. Your players may be working towards one goal — a championship — but each individual athlete is unique. Some may be natural born vocal leaders, while others may be of the quiet type.

No matter their age or level of play, getting your athletes to communicate effectively with each other takes two important components: Confidence and Comfort.

Confidence

Athletes won’t be willing to communicate when the time comes if they’re lacking in confidence; it’s that simple. If they are unsure of themselves and question their choices, they won’t want to call for that pass or help direct the flow of the play.

Confidence comes in many forms, but when it comes to team sports there are two ways to help your players. The first is comprehension and awareness of the playbook and what is being asked of them. Obviously, this is a direct reflection on coaching, but it’s essential that your athletes are prepared, understand their assignments and the flow of the game. Even one athlete out of sync jeopardizes the entire team.

That knowledge will only help to boost your player’s individual self-confidence. While each person is built different, it’s important to take time to build your athletes up personally. When your players are prepared for any situation and have the self-confidence to trust in their own abilities, the fear of communication is removed.

Comfort

Being confident certainly helps to break your players out of their communication struggles, but to take things to the next level, they also need to be comfortable.

Have you ever been on an awkward first date? When the comfort level is low, communication easily breaks down. It is unrealistic to expect that all of your athletes are going to be friends, but building a sense of camaraderie and comfort with one another is an obtainable goal.

Team building exercises, trips and meals away from practice are easy ways to accomplish this. So are different lineup or line combinations. Getting your players to work together as a unit means they trust each other and are comfortable enough to communicate clearly.

Confidence and Comfort

While it may be daunting to help build the confidence and comfort of each individual player on your team, there is one easy fix! Besides, it may be difficult to communicate when your players can’t speak clearly.

It’s no mystery that most athletes find their mouthguards to be bulky, ill-fitting, or flat-out uncomfortable.

Well, when they have a custom mouthguard built directly from an impression of their own unique mouth structure, they will be both confident and comfortable in their protection. That’s because Gladiator custom mouthguards stay firmly on the upper teeth without biting or clenching — which means speaking and breathing clearly, allowing your athletes to communicate with ease.

Communication is key, but if your players lack comfort and confidence they won’t succeed when it matters most. See how Gladiator custom mouthguards help your team communicate clearly at the link below.

Communicate Confidently And Comfortably

Author Bio

Bobbie Quinn, co-founder of Gladiator Custom Mouthguards, played both lacrosse and field hockey as a youth and went on to play Division 1 women’s lacrosse in college. Bobbie continues to play women’s league field hockey and enjoys watching her son play various sports.