Communication reflection: Touch game

Yesterday during our second game of touch our task was to demonstrate communication. Communication is when you interact with your team players to help them improve in their performance. Communication also involves verbal technique's. An example of this, includes telling your team players to pick up the pace if needed, telling them to spread out, just using your common sense to keep the game going. Using a loud, clear voice is a way to help give effective verbal communication. Using a loud and clear voice also makes you a good role model to help get your team players to gain the confidence they need to be a better player.

Non Verbal communication is a type of communication used in sporting activities through body language. For example, using your finger to point out symbolises where people should situate when spreading out or putting both hands up by your side symbolises everyone in your team to run up together when on defence. Another example is to point to who you are marking, keeping your arms up ready to catch the ball or clapping to encourage your team or opposition's team.

Active listening is the most unique way of communicating used in sports. Being an active listener in your team helps make team players feel as though what they are saying is being valued and being put into action. Also shows the level at which you are listening, for example nodding your head when your coach or captain tell you to get more involved this shows the sportsmanship values you have.

 During our game of touch I showed this interpersonal skill through verbal communication by telling my team when to get back after a touch, or to spread out on defence. I showed this interpersonal skill through non verbal communication by using body language, eye contact with the players in my team and by pointing to the player I was marking. I showed this interpersonal skill through active listening by nodding my head when one of the team players tell me to stand deep on attack.

Communication isn't only an important concept used in touch but all sports. Without communication your team isn't up to standard. Communication also helps your team players by being encouraged. I identified positive encouragement from team members in my team which made the whole teams performance improve.

The effect this interpersonal skill has on the team was knowing your team mates were getting into the team by communicating, showing the confidence they have towards the game by the body language being expressed. Without communication our team won't have the ability to have a good game against the opposition team. Communicating with your team players has an advantage against the other team. For example, if the opposition team wasn't using communication you will gain the confidence to do better and also it can intimidate the other team and make your team look more vicious.

As the team trainer it is important for me to constantly interact with my team mates to show them who's boss :) I enjoyed trying to achieve this aspect and I believe communication is always an important thing to continue to demonstrate through out all sporting activities.