Coaching athletes is about more than building strong teams or winning championships—it’s about shaping lives. I’ve worked with loads of coaches in the last 20+ years. I’ve surveyed many student-athletes and have done plenty of research. The truth is, coaches and performance professionals who care deeply about their athletes’ success, both in the game and beyond the game, embody a specific set of core competencies that make them impactful mentors. These qualities extend beyond technical knowledge or tactical acumen, addressing the holistic development of the student-athlete.
In this article I am going to go deep on one of the most important core competencies of coaches who truly care about their athletes, value building rapport and desire unlocking potential in high school athletes. The core competency is communication. After we review the art of communication, I will then provide you with a quick self-assessment on this core competency so you can identify your own personal score.
Core Competency: The Art of Communication
Communication is at the heart of everything we do as coaches. While much of our focus is on guiding and inspiring athletes, our lingo doesn’t start and stop with them. A coach’s ability to communicate effectively extends far beyond the game or session in the gym and resonates in every interaction—with parents, fellow coaches, athletic trainers, and other stakeholders.
The way we communicate shapes team culture, fosters trust, and creates an environment where athletes can thrive. It’s not just about conveying instructions or feedback; it’s about listening, collaborating, and building relationships that support athletes holistically.
Communication is a skill that transcends drills and playbooks. It’s vital for long-term success and leaves a lasting impact on everyone we interact with—on and off the field, court, pool or mat. Here are the multiple facets in which coaches must develop competency to excel as leaders and caretakers of their teams when it comes to communication!
Communicating with Athletes
Probably the most obvious is communicating with athletes. Here is what makes a coach proficient in this space.
- Clear, constructive, and actionable communication with athletes. Avoids ‘over-coaching’.
- Ability to recognize that every athlete has unique needs, learning styles, and personalities.
- Tailors feedback to resonate with the individual. For example, some athletes may thrive with direct and concise feedback, while others may benefit from encouragement and detailed explanations. See my blog Understanding Learning Styles of Female Athletes: Amplifying Performance Through Tailored Coaching for more info on this.
- Uses simple, unambiguous language. Breaks down complex drills or strategies into manageable steps to reduce confusion and frustration.
Effective communication with athletes is about clarity, personalization, and adaptability. By understanding individual needs and simplifying instructions, coaches foster an environment where athletes feel supported, confident, and empowered to succeed.
Communication with Parents
Communicating with parents is a critical aspect of coaching, as they are key stakeholders in the athlete’s journey. Proficiency in this area involves balancing transparency with appropriate boundaries.
- Keeps parents informed about team expectations, policies, and the athlete’s progress through clear and open communication channels (e.g., team meetings, regular emails).
- Establishes boundaries that encourage athletes to take ownership of their experiences while maintaining parental involvement.
- Handles difficult conversations with empathy and professionalism. For example, addressing concerns about playing time or training pace by explaining the decision-making process and focusing on effort, teamwork and development.
- Shares resources and guidance to help parents support their athletes holistically, such as tips on nutrition, recovery, and mental wellness.
Effective communication with parents strengthens the coach-athlete-parent relationship by fostering trust, transparency, and collaboration. By maintaining clear communication and appropriate boundaries, coaches empower athletes while ensuring parents are well-informed and equipped to provide meaningful support.
Team & Group Communication
Team culture thrives on open, inclusive, and effective group communication. Being proficient in speaking to groups and teams is essential. Coaches skilled in fostering group communication and cohesion:
- Listen actively to athletes, ensuring their concerns, ideas, and needs are heard and respected.
- Facilitate open discussions that promote mutual understanding and respect among team members.
- Address conflicts constructively, guiding athletes toward resolution while reinforcing shared goals of the team or group.
- Encourage inclusivity, ensuring all athletes feel valued and included in group settings.
Strong team and group communication is key to building a cohesive, respectful, and inclusive team culture. Coaches who foster open dialogue, actively listen, and resolve conflicts constructively create an environment where every athlete feels heard, valued, and motivated to contribute to the team’s or group’s success.
Collaborative Communication with Other Coaches, Athletic Trainers, Performance Specialists, and the Athlete’s Support Team
Competent coaches recognize the importance of a collaborative approach when working with the broader team that supports their athletes. This includes assistant coaches, athletic trainers (ATs), physical therapists, nutritionists, mental health professionals, and other specialists. Proficiency in collaborative communication involves:
- Maintaining regular communication facilitating a unified approach with all members of the athlete’s support network to ensure alignment on goals, treatment plans, and overall development. For example, checking in with ATs on injury recovery timelines or consulting with a mental health professional on strategies to support athlete confidence.
- Respecting the expertise of each professional, integrating their insights into training and decision-making processes. This not only ensures the athlete’s best interests are prioritized but also fosters mutual respect among team members.
- Ensuring confidentiality and trust, particularly when discussing sensitive topics like medical conditions, mental health challenges, or personal issues affecting the athlete.
- Sharing relevant updates proactively so everyone involved is informed about changes or developments. For instance, notifying therapists or ATs about upcoming schedule adjustments or significant game stressors.
Collaborative communication ensures that every member of the athlete’s team is working cohesively toward the shared goal of supporting their health, performance, and well-being. Coaches who excel in this area create an environment where the athlete feels supported by a network of dedicated professionals.
Assessment: The Art of Communication
This self-assessment will help you gauge your competency in the core areas of communication as a coach. Use the following scale to rate your proficiency in each area:
Rating Scale:
1 = Needs Improvement
2 = Developing
3 = Competent
4 = Proficient
5 = Expert
1. Communicating with Athletes
- Clear, constructive, and actionable communication with athletes.
- Recognizes unique needs, learning styles, and personalities.
- Tailors feedback to resonate with individual athletes.
- Uses simple, unambiguous language and breaks down complex concepts.
Rating (1-5): __________
2. Communication with Parents
- Keeps parents informed through open channels (e.g., meetings, emails).
- Balances transparency and boundaries, encouraging athlete ownership.
- Handles difficult conversations with empathy and professionalism.
- Shares relevant resources to help parents support their athletes.
Rating (1-5): _________
3. Team & Group Communication
- Listens actively to athletes, ensuring their concerns are heard.
- Facilitates open discussions that promote mutual understanding.
- Addresses conflicts constructively and guides toward resolution.
- Encourages inclusivity, making all athletes feel valued.
Rating (1-5): __________
4. Collaborative Communication with Other Coaches, ATs, and Support Team
- Maintains regular communication with the support team (coaches, ATs, therapists, etc.).
- Respects and integrates expertise from all support team members.
- Ensures confidentiality and trust, especially with sensitive information.
- Shares updates proactively with all stakeholders involved in athlete development.
Rating (1-5): __________
Scoring, Next Steps & Post Your Score:
Total your numbers for each section and read the recommendation then share your score in the comments section of this blog or post on social media!
- 16-20: You are a Expert in communication. Your ability to connect with athletes, parents, and colleagues is a model of excellence. Continue refining your skills to stay at the top of your game, you will always have room to grow, so don’t take “expert” as an exemption from learning!
- 11-15: You are Proficient in communication. You’re on the right track, but there are a few areas that can be strengthened. Focus on areas that are rated lower and consider additional training or peer feedback for growth.
- 6-10: You are Competent, but there are areas for development. Take a closer look at the competencies that scored lower and work toward improving them. Coaching workshops or mentoring may help accelerate your growth.
- 4-5: You are still Developing in communication. It may be helpful to seek feedback from your athletes, parents, and colleagues to better understand where improvements can be made. Focus on honing your communication skills and be proactive in seeking out training or mentorship opportunities.
This assessment is designed to help you reflect on your communication skills as a coach and identify areas for growth. It is important to note that this tool provides only a snapshot of your communication competencies and does not capture the full complexity of communication in all coaching contexts. Communication is an ongoing process, and each coach-athlete relationship or team dynamic can present unique challenges and opportunities for improvement.
While this assessment serves as a valuable starting point, continuous self-reflection, feedback from others, and ongoing learning are essential for developing mastery in communication. Use this tool to identify areas to focus on, but keep in mind that communication is a multifaceted skill that evolves with experience and practice.
If you enjoyed this article and know other coaches and trainers who could benefit from the content in this blog, please share in your social media channels. When you share, female athletes benefit.
More articles by Coach Julie:
Understanding Learning Styles of Female Athletes: Amplifying Performance Through Tailored Coaching
Coaching Female Athletes-The Art & The Science
What Every Coach Needs to Know About the Female Athlete’s Hormonal Cycle
~ Julie Hatfield-Still
Julie is an Author, CEO and Coach. She is the President & Founder of the Non-Profit Beyond The Game Alliance where they offer a full suite of workshops for teams, coaches and parents. In addition to her work as a business consultant and coach of coaches, leaders and entrepreneurs. Julie is a Speed Development Specialist and Inner-Game Coach in the college, high school and youth levels.
Visit Julie’s Author Page