The myPerforma Coach-Athlete Communication Framework

Building Effective Communication Channels in Sports

This guide provides evidence-based strategies, templates, and tools to help coaches establish clear, consistent, and effective communication with their athletes.

Research shows that athletes who receive regular, structured feedback demonstrate 23% higher performance improvements than those who don't. This framework will help you close the communication gap that holds so many athletes back.

UNDERSTANDING THE COMMUNICATION GAP

The Challenge

• 74% of athletes report they never know where they stand with their coaches
• Coaches overestimate the clarity of their feedback by 40%
• Gen Z athletes prefer 40% more frequent feedback touchpoints than previous generations
• Poor communication leads to decreased performance, higher anxiety, and lower satisfaction

The Communication Cycle

Effective coach-athlete communication follows a continuous cycle:

1. Set Clear Expectations
2. Provide Regular Feedback
3. Confirm Understanding
4. Adjust Approach as Needed
5. Document Progress
6. Repeat

ESTABLISHING YOUR COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

1. Communication Frequency Guidelines

2. Feedback Session Structure

Every feedback session should follow this structure:

A. Opening (1-2 minutes)

• Connect personally
• State session purpose
• Set positive tone

B. Performance Review (5-7 minutes)

• Review specific metrics/observations
• Use 3:1 ratio (positive:constructive)
• Focus on behaviors, not personality

C. Development Focus (3-5 minutes)

• Identify 1-2 key development areas
• Set specific, achievable goals
• Connect to larger development plan

D. Athlete Input (3-5 minutes)

• Ask for athlete self-assessment
• Address questions/concerns
• Explore athlete's perspective

E. Next Steps (2-3 minutes)

• Summarize key points
• Confirm understanding
• Set timeline for follow-up

F. Documentation

• Record key points in your system
• Provide written summary to athlete

COMMUNICATION TEMPLATES

1. Starting the Season - Expectations Setting

[Athlete Name],

I'm excited to work with you this season. To ensure we're always on the same page, here's what I'll be focusing on in our work together:

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:
- [List 3-5 specific, measurable performance expectations]

COMMUNICATION COMMITMENT:
- We'll have formal check-ins every [timeframe]
- I'll provide immediate feedback on [specific elements]
- I expect you to [athlete communication expectations]

DEVELOPMENT GOALS:
- [List 1-3 development goals previously discussed]

Our first scheduled feedback session will be [date/time]. Please come prepared to discuss your personal goals for the season.

Coach [Name]

2. Regular Feedback Template

FEEDBACK SESSION SUMMARY

Date: [Date]
Athlete: [Name]
Coach: [Name]

STRENGTHS DEMONSTRATED:
- [Specific strength with example]
- [Specific strength with example]
- [Specific strength with example]

DEVELOPMENT AREAS:
- [Area 1]: [Specific, actionable guidance]
- [Area 2]: [Specific, actionable guidance]

METRICS REVIEW:
[Key Metric 1]: [Current] / [Target] / [Trend]
[Key Metric 2]: [Current] / [Target] / [Trend]
[Key Metric 3]: [Current] / [Target] / [Trend]

FOCUS FOR NEXT PERIOD:
1. [Primary focus area]
2. [Secondary focus area]

ATHLETE COMMENTS:
[Summary of athlete's perspective/questions]

NEXT REVIEW DATE: [Date]

3. Mid-Season Check-In

MID-SEASON PROGRESS REVIEW

Athlete: [Name]
Date: [Date]

SEASON GOALS PROGRESS:
Goal 1: [Goal] - [Progress percentage] - [Status]
Goal 2: [Goal] - [Progress percentage] - [Status]
Goal 3: [Goal] - [Progress percentage] - [Status]

STRENGTHS TO BUILD ON:
1. [Key strength with specific examples]
2. [Key strength with specific examples]

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SECOND HALF:
1. [Specific opportunity with action steps]
2. [Specific opportunity with action steps]

ADJUSTMENTS TO DEVELOPMENT PLAN:
[Any changes to original development plan]

ATHLETE'S CURRENT STANDING:
[Clear statement of where athlete stands relative to expectations]

COMMITMENT FOR REMAINDER OF SEASON:
Coach: [Specific coach commitments]
Athlete: [Specific athlete commitments]

4. Constructive Feedback Framework

When delivering difficult feedback, follow this framework:

S - Specific Situation: Reference the exact situation/behaviorI - Impact: Explain the impact on performance/teamG - Goals: Connect to athlete's personal goalsN - Next Steps: Provide clear path forwardS - Support: Offer specific support

Example:

I noticed during yesterday's practice that you arrived 10 minutes late (Specific Situation). This meant we had to delay the team drill and it disrupted our practice flow (Impact). I know one of your goals is to take on more leadership this season (Goals). Going forward, I need you to arrive 15 minutes before practice starts (Next Steps). If there are transportation issues I should know about, let's talk about solutions together (Support).

COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS

Common Communication Pitfalls

The "What-Why-How" Formula

For delivering clear, actionable feedback:

WHAT: Specifically describe the behavior/performanceWHY: Explain why it matters (impact)HOW: Provide clear guidance on improvement

Example:

WHAT: "Your follow-through on your shot released early in the last three games."
WHY: "This is causing inconsistent accuracy, particularly from beyond 15 feet."
HOW: "Let's focus on holding your follow-through position for one full second after release during this week's shooting drills."

GENERATIONAL COMMUNICATION ADAPTATIONS

Adapting to Different Communication Preferences

Creating a "Communication Contract"

At the beginning of your season, establish a "Communication Contract" with each athlete that addresses:

1. Preferred feedback frequency
2. Preferred communication channels
3. Style preferences (direct vs. supportive)
4. Best times for deeper discussions
5. Indicators when additional feedback is needed

MEASURING COMMUNICATION EFFECTIVENESS

Feedback System Assessment

Regularly evaluate your communication system using these metrics:

1. Athlete Clarity ScoreSurvey athletes on 1-10 scale: "How clear are you about where you stand with your coach?"
2. Understanding AlignmentCompare coach and athlete responses to: "What are the top 3 priorities for improvement right now?"
3. Communication SatisfactionSurvey athletes quarterly on communication satisfaction
4. Performance CorrelationTrack performance improvements following feedback implementation

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

30-Day Communication Transformation

Week 1: Assessment

• Evaluate current communication patterns
• Survey athletes on communication satisfaction
• Create communication schedule

Week 2: Foundation Setting

• Conduct individual expectation-setting meetings
• Establish documentation system
• Implement feedback templates

Week 3: Implementation

• Begin regular feedback rhythm
• Practice structured feedback sessions
• Collect initial feedback on process

Week 4: Refinement

• Adjust approach based on feedback
• Measure initial results
• Celebrate early wins

The Takeaway Thought

Effective coach-athlete communication isn't just about talking more—it's about talking better. By implementing this framework, you'll create clarity, consistency, and trust that drives performance improvements.

Ready to take your coach-athlete communication to the next level? myPerforma's platform automates and streamlines this entire framework, making implementation simple and consistent. Request a demo at www.myperforma.com/demo

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