Introduction
In this thesis, we will consider how athletes can be affected by the type of discourse communication used when they training or being taught by their coaches. Discourse communication is a form of dialogue expressed through either written forms of discourse communication or oral forms of communication. Communication methods enable the athletes to develop a bonded relationship with their coaches, and this is created when a coach uses effective medium communication with his students.
Sports Coaching
A coach is an individual instructor in any sport, who provides directions and training to his students in a team. The Supporting staff in sports organization is composed of various instructors including; a head coach, assistant coach, coordinators, and fitness, who specializes in team management by ensuring that the team adheres to rules for better performance. Most coaches are considered to be former players in certain sports they are coaching and they are in a position of knowing all tricks and methods, and when and how to apply them when competing internationally.
People who get into coaching professional, most of them are retired players eligible for the provision of recruitment and organizational development of the team- one of the tasks head coaches do. Most of the assistant coaches within any field of sports provide techniques the team uses when they are in any competition and shows them how to tackle such troubles if happens to occur (Cassidy, Jones & Potrac, 2008).
Medium of communication
To communicate with athletes effectively, a coach has to install discourse forms of communication in his teachings. We have two main forms or mediums of communication. As a coach, you need to establish the best medium to use, the one your athlete students understand well for the tactics and knowledge acquisition. However, written communication is a medium of communication used by coaches during the time they give their students either mental or physical teaching and during fitness time.
A Coach uses billboards, sketches, questionnaires, and memorandum notices as a form of written discourse communication to educate their athletes. Written communication is a form of discourse communication with various advantages, especially when used by athletes. As a coach, you need to provide support to your students without expressing any personal feelings, one of the characteristics of written forms of discourse communication.
Moreover, using written communication leads to the provision of permanent records, which can be used in the future for references, even if the coach is not present to teach his or her students. It is one of the efficient ways of teaching since; every important point is taken into consideration without forgetting. Many coaches prefer these forms of discourse communication since; they believe that this is the efficient way of mental and physical improvement of his or her students. A coach is an experienced instructor and he or she may have a language barrier with his or her students but is willing to install his or her experienced tactics to his or her athletes.
At this point, written forms of discourse communication are useful for effective communication between a coach and athletes. However, from a personal perception, not all of our athletes are well educated but talented. Civilization in some parts of the country is minimal and there are only a few people lucky to have acquired education. Moreover, we have many languages that one can speak, one of the impacts, which affects our athletes who are only talented but lack any sort of civilization education. Some of the athletes may misinterpret the instructions written and when they need any immediate feedback, they fail to get it since the instructor is not present. Written communication lacks the formal basis of discourse communication (Raphael, Wu & Chu, 2006).
However, apart from written form, forms discourse communication we have oral forms of discourse communication. Oral communication can be expressed through lectures, presentation encounters as well as speeches. Oral forms of discourse communication have their advantages over the other forms of communication. Some of the coaches within a team prefer using oral communication since they believe that it gives them an opportunity to express themselves and share knowledge with their students. Some athletes like oral forms of communication since; they are able to ask questions where they did not understand.
It takes the coach humble time to explain again to athletes what he meant from his speech of lecturers about competition tactics. Oral forms of discourse communication enable the athletes to develop a relationship of trust and understanding with their coaches. The essence behind this form of discourse communication is that, it suites for all participating athletes who are literate and illiterate as compared to written forms of discourse communication. However, this form of discourse communication lacks any formal written records as well as creates personal relationships within the team, bringing about discrimination characters (Raphael, Wu & Chu, 2006).
The significance of discourse communication
Effective communication in sports is usefu, since it encompasses sharing of information within the team installing the habit of using intelligence aspects for effective management. Team motivational aspect is the key role of interpersonal communication used by most coaches within a given sport bringing about teamwork improvements, higher performance, and appropriateness actions taken by students within the field.
However, to achieve effectiveness in discourse communication within a team, the coach needs to understand his student’s attention so that he or she may know the right method of discourse communication to use while teaching for better understanding among his or her students. Effective communication is achieved through persuasive language and the installment of friendly programs directed to students, which eliminate any signs of contradiction in your teachings, and these values must be available in both written and oral forms of discourse communication.
Either when giving out teamwork instructions, the coach does not fail to introduce expressions orally or written forms of discourse communication that are persuasive and even funny events for breaking the monotony during the deliverance of any of his lectures. However, the coach considers characters like facial expressions, eye contact, and movements, which helps athlete to concentrate attentively by taking and manipulating all instructions provided within the lectures by their coach. Moreover, the coach should be positive when addressing their students by providing information that has a message of encouragement.
Discourse communication portrays positive and negative effects, which has impacts on students participating in any kind of sport, changing their normal behaviors as well as improving their listening skills. The relationship of both athlete and the coach is developed when effective discourse communication is used at the right time and at the right place (Maxwell, 2001).
Conclusion
Overall, discourse communication is the main interaction medium between the coach and athletes. Athletes are affected either positively or negatively depending on the method used by their coaches when they were training. As a coach, you need to understand your students well and use the appropriate forms of discourse communication to yield better performance for your carrier reputation as well as your students. Athletes may be talented but lack education background or language barrier, which acts as a communication barrier. Understanding all of these values, you will provide the best lecture or training to athletes without encountering any negative feedback. However, discourse communication serves as the key developer of knowledge acquisition within sports carrier.
References
Cassidy, T., Jones, R. & Potrac, P. (2008). Understanding Sports Coaching the Social, Cultural and Pedagogical Foundations of Coaching Practice. United Kingdom: Routledge Publisher.
Maxwell, J. (2001). The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork: Embrace them and empower Your Team. New York (NY): Thomas Nelson Publisher.
Raphael, M., Wu, S. & Chu, V. (2006). Angelic Force: A Modern Medium’s Communication with the Spirit World. United Kingdom: Double Light Publishing.