If you’re a coach, learning how to communicate in basketball involves a lot more than just yelling out plays. There’s so much that goes into it because coaches should be talking to their players on and off the court. The conversation shouldn’t stop when practices and games end.
A coach talking to players after a game (in a huddle) or after practice for a few minutes is great, but it’s nowhere near as important as the one-on-one conversations you should have with your student athletes. They’re critical.
So, let’s take a look at some of the responsibilities coaches bear when it comes to learning how to communicate in basketball with your players.
Effective Communication Starts With You
If your goal is to effectively communicate with your players, you must understand that it starts with you. You should consider communication as part of your player development because not every player will feel comfortable approaching you (or any other authority figure). They’re just not going to do it, no matter how much parents (and even coaches) emphasize communication.
So, a good way to convey the importance of communication to your players is start the conversations yourself. Before the start of every practice or game, get around to every player and greet them with a smile and a quick conversation.
This lets them know a few things:
- You’re happy to see them.
- They’re entering a safe and happy environment.
- Opens up doors for further conversation.
It’s important to understand that this requires you to “go first”. Meaning, it’s up to YOU to approach each player and start the conversation.
Get To Know Your Players
Another way you can get players talking is by getting to know them a little better. As a basketball coach, your time with your players is often limited to practices and games, but setting up some off the court “team bonding” activities is a great way to improve communication.
Some of the things you can learn about your players include:
- Their favorite subjects in school
- Other sports they play
- Their hobbies / interests
- What motivates them?
- Do they want to play basketball in college?
- What fears do they have?
Learning more about each of your players, and their families will help you to establish stronger, long-term relationships with your players.
Share Personal Stories About Yourself
One of the things I love to do on “The Courtside Culture Podcast” is “First Things Last.” It’s the last thing we do at the end of each conversation. I give my guest a list of “firsts” to learn a little bit more about them. I ask about things like their first car, first job, or first concert they attended.
I do this for a couple of reasons. One, the answers are always surprising. But I also do it because I wonder how many of their players (past and present) may know these little things about their coach.
If you want your players to communicate with you, it’s very important that you don’t limit yourself to communication on the court. Sharing a few personal stories with your players may facilitate the conversation and could lead to an unexpected team bonding moment.
Communicate With Your Parents, Too
Another way to gain the trust of a player is to establish a relationship with their parents. One preseason meeting with your parents, touting how important it is for players to come to talk to the coach won’t cut it. It’s not going to facilitate effective communication.
A parent’s opinion of a coach influences their child. If your parents DON’T trust you, your players likely won’t either. If your parents DO like you, your player likely will too.
Building a team culture involves three facets: Coach, players, and parents. And you must provide a safe environment for everyone to talk.
Team Communication Is Vital
When building better team communication, you may look up some drills that can help. Sure, things like “calling ball” is a type of communication that’s important in basketball. Talking on the floor, in game situations is always going to be critical. But just as important are the conversations you’re having with your players off the court.
Initiating conversations, asking open-ended questions, sharing personal information about yourself, and delivering on your messages will go a long way to building a good team culture and strong relationships amongst your players.
So, the next time you’re looking for basketball drills, or basketball plays to run at your next practice, don’t be afraid to block out a little time to talk to your players—individually. Having those conversations will help to build a strong team culture by getting you on the same page with your players and parents.