| Effective On-Field Communication An Element of Success |
By Elizabeth M. Mullin
“Talk to each other out there!”
“Let them know if they have a defender coming!”
“Open your mouth!”
As a coach, how many times do you find yourself exasperated, trying to fill the communication void on the field? Effective communication is essential to cohesion, team dynamics, and relationships among teammates (Yukelson, 2006). Good communication can affect the motivation, expectations, emotional dispositions and behaviors of participants (Yukelson, 2006). One type of communication that often is neglected by coaches, but that deserves emphasis, is the discussion among on-field participants. Like any other skill in soccer, effective on-field communication is a skill. It must be learned and can be practiced. If communication styles are not discussed or worked on in practice, players will not use them on game day, hindering the team’s ability to perform at optimal levels.
What is Effective Communication?
Communication is a dynamic process in which each member of the “conversation” is participating in a give-and-take process. At practice, you can blow a whistle and stop a drill in order to instruct players, but that’s not possible during the fast-paced dynamic movement of competition. Consequently, effective communication among players must consist of short phrases that relay the pertinent information. For example, “Man on!” is a common phrase used to let a dribbler know when a defender is closing in on the play. “Cross the ball!” identifies that a teammate is open across the field. Simple phrases like these are commonly understood by soccer players. Still, sometimes coaches become irritated when lack of communication causes a turnover or forces a defender out of position. Communication skills are seemingly simple to understand but hard to carry out without practice. And without them, you may find your team struggling to remain in control of the ball.
How Can I Improve My Team’s Communication Skills?
Here are three simple approaches that could improve a team’s ability to use quick, effective language on the field. First, develop an agreed-upon language, universally understood by all of your players. Second, begin to use that language as an important element of your drills. Finally, appoint a “general” to relay one coherent message to your team, so that all 11 players can be on the same page.
Develop an On-Field Language
As mentioned above, on-field communication is a skill. Your players might be chatty off the field, but in the speed of game situations are unable to draw on their verbal abilities. The first step toward gaining “talking tools” is to create a language that your team can understand and remember. A common phrase like “Cover me” yelled by a sweeper to a defensive back might seem self-explanatory, such that the sweeper wants the defender to drop back while he or she goes after a dribbler. Without practicing this type of short communication, the defensive back might not react immediately, leaving an opening wide enough for an attacking opponent. Developing an on-field language is as simple as a quick discussion among players that frequently interact with each other. Encourage your players to find phrases that work for them and can be easily recognized during the speed of the game.
Make “Talking” a Practice Objective
Once a team develops a common language, design some drills that will integrate that language into daily practice. For example, a five-on-two drill should require all four off-ball players to be communicating with the passer regarding their locations. In order to be successful, the defenders should be communicating who will guard the ball handler and who should drop back waiting for the next pass. Reinforcement, both positive and negative, is critical to maintaining the use of language. Coaches should praise the successful use of communication. Lack of talk may result in the change of position from offense to defense, push-ups and crunches, or even sprints.
Removing language in a drill is also an effective method to demonstrate the importance of talking in a game situation. For example, an even-field game of keep-away where use of language is an automatic turnover will quickly illustrate to your players just how useful game talk can be when trying to alert players about where to pass or if a defender is approaching. Note when players resort to other forms of communication, such as clapping or waving, to get an idea across. After a five- to 10-minute game of silence, reinstate the use of language and notice the immediate increase in substantive verbal communication.
Appoint a “General”
Some messages can be relayed by any member of the team as the situation requires. In other cases, one coherent message is required to organize the team. An appointed “general” might be an effective way to put the entire team on the same page. Having one player relay your message regarding an attack formation, defensive switches, or holes in the opponent’s defense will enable everyone to obtain the information clearly and efficiently. Central defenders or midfielders tend to be highly skilled players with leadership skills. Sometimes these players are captains who understand that verbal leadership is a part of their charge. Appointing a general does not require any special announcement or declaration. It can be as simple reminding a prospective general to talk in certain situations. On a drill toward the goal where the central midfielder begins the drill, remind that player to keep talking and play an integral part in organizing the drill. Telling general to talk in certain situations. On a drill toward the goal where the central midfielder begins the drill, remind that player to keep talking and play an integral part in organizing the drill. Telling the player to be and act like a general will eventually sink in and that player will step up to the role.
Typically, players are receptive listeners to people whom they respect (Yukelson, 2006), such as elected captains or other highly skilled players. For example, a sweeper is typically positioned close to the midfield line while the offense strings together an attack. The positioning of the sweeper allows for an excellent view of the field, thus providing an opportunity for the sweeper to vocally guide players to locations where they could be most beneficial in the attack. Williams, Davids, Burwitz, and Williams (1994) found that experienced players in the central part of the field have the cognitive abilities to read the field and make an accurate assessment of where passes should be made during an offensive strike. With that in mind, an appointed “general” can communicate to a weak-side midfielder to make a cut or encourage the dribbler to look for a certain pass.
In sum, there are many types of communication that occur in sport, whether on the field or off, between coach and player, or player and player. Every coach will tell you that on-field “talk” is essential to success, but that success cannot be attained without vigilant practice. With a designated language and a commitment to learn, practice, and use that language during game situations, teams will have a better opportunity to be successful.
References
Yukelson, D. P. (2006). Communicating effectively. In J. M. Williams (Ed.) Applied sport psychology: Personal growth to peak performance (5th ed.) (pp. 174-191). Boston: McGraw Hill.
Williams, A. M., Davids, K., Burwitz, L., & Williams, J. G. (1994). Visual search strategies in experienced and inexperienced soccer players. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 65(2), 127-135.
Editor’s Note: Elizabeth “Liz” Mullin is graduate student pursuing a doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Springfield College, Springfield, Mass. She received her master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Springfield and her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass. At Mount Holyoke, Mullin was a varsity soccer player. Currently, she is a long-distance runner and a martial artist. This article originally appeared in the January-February 2009 issue of Soccer Journal.
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