Coach-Athlete Communication: Coaching Style, Leadership Characteristics, and Psychological Outcomes

The way communication affects coaches and athletes depends on the content of the message, method of delivery, and the relationship between the sender and receiver(s). This manual addresses the different social agents that should be considered when delivering a message effectively to either a coach, athlete, or teammate. A brief introduction of the relevant theories on leadership and communication, such as Self-Determination Theory and the Multi-dimensional Model of Leadership, is provided. The theories provide a background for understanding the basics of communication, coaching/ leadership styles, and the characteristics of good leadership. The remaining portion of the manual will discuss the select outcomes associated with different coaching and communication styles. Both the coach’s and athlete’s behavior will influence each other’s perceptions and motivation levels. Motivated athletes tend to perform well if they perceive more positive communications with the coach. Practical strategies from improving coaching behaviors and communication among social agents is provided throughout the manual