As a coach, you've likely encountered a variety of communication styles among your players.

Some athletes need a high-five and a pat on the back, while others prefer a straightforward critique. The key is to recognise these differences and adjust your approach accordingly.

But what happens when players don’t see the correction happening?

This can lead to misunderstandings, creating a ripple effect within the team.

The Importance of Tailored Communication

Within my roster of 16 players, almost every player responds differently to feedback and communication.

Some are motivated by direct, no-nonsense feedback that highlights areas for improvement. Others thrive on public praise, using it as fuel to maintain their high performance. Others don’t want any support, they just want to be challenged. Yet, others want to be constantly supported in private, being encouraged and motivated.

As a coach, I need to meet them where they are. But what about the rest of the team? If they don’t see the full picture, it can lead to a sense of unfairness or favouritism.

Why Visibility Matters

Let's say you have a player who responds well to public praise and another who needs direct feedback.

If the latter doesn't see you critiquing the former, they might assume their teammate is getting away with something. This perception can breed resentment and undermine team cohesion.

This is the case within our team. A lot of our players believe that we are just ignoring an issue, not actively addressing it. Simply, because they don’t see the work that’s going into it.

It’s crucial to communicate not just with individuals, but with the team as a whole, helping them understand that everyone is coached, just in different ways.

Bridging the Communication Gap

How do you ensure that all players feel included in the communication loop?

One approach is to be transparent about your coaching methods. If you're giving one player direct feedback while others receive praise, explain to the team why this is happening. Of course, you don’t need to explain to everyone that Johnny likes to be praised in public. That may create a divide within the team.

You need to be smart about how you go about educating your team.

Another strategy is to rotate your communication style.

If a player thrives on public praise, find moments where you can publicly correct them—keeping it constructive, of course. This is important because that player needs reps in an area he is uncomfortable with for growth to happen. After all, he is not guaranteed to play for a coach later on in his career, who is conscious of this process.

This way, the rest of the team sees that correction is part of the process for everyone, and players have a chance to get better at a different style of communication.

Helping Teammates Understand Different Approaches

Beyond rotating your communication style, you can create team exercises that promote understanding and empathy.

For example, group discussions where players share how they prefer to receive feedback can be enlightening.

It helps the team understand each other's needs and fosters a culture of respect.

Culture of Communication

Effective communication is about more than just delivering feedback.

It's about creating a culture where players feel seen, heard, and valued. By understanding the unique needs of each athlete and ensuring the entire team is aware of these differences, you build a stronger, more cohesive unit.

Your job as a coach isn't just to develop skills—it's to develop a team that understands the importance of effective communication, both on and off the field.

Understanding Communication Styles: Why Coaches Need to Tailor Their Feedback

As a coach, you've likely encountered a variety of communication styles among your players.Some athl

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