Total Communications

Communication is often interpreted as "talking on the field." Calls like "man on, time and turn" are viewed as evidence that a team has reached a high level it. But this is only one element, albeit an important one. Effective communication involves much more then just verbal skills.

This obviously covers communication with players of the same and the opposing team (verbal and non-verbal), but it also covers interaction with the ball (speed / weight / hard or soft, etc.), the field of play (flat / bumpy / wet / dry), the spectators (cheering / jeering), the officials, the coach, etc."

In reading the above it becomes clear how closely insight is involved with communication. What effect will the field have on the game? How should we play with this wind and sun? If the opponents are playing with three back players how do we want our wingers to play? Insight without good communication is like a band playing from different music sheets. Everyone can be playing brilliantly, but no one is playing the same tune.

Everyone's tasks must be clear and understood. Too often this is not the case and miscommunications will result. Example: in a match the sweeper has beaten his immediate opponent and has moved into the midfield. What should the midfielders do? If they go ahead of the ball the available space for the top and sweeper will get very crowded. If the sweeper loses the ball who will stop the counter attack?

This is a moment that the midfielders need to ask themselves "what should I do?"  Are the midfielders to let the sweeper through to combine with the front line and hold behind the ball? Does one midfielder have a task of going forward?  But if that midfielder is not in a position to do so, what should the others do?

These situations happen so quickly and are so common that they can be overlooked. There is simply not enough time to "call" instructions by either players or the coach. Communication is based on reading the situation, analyzing it and acting on it.

A common vocabulary is an important part of the communication process. Playing wide to one player might be 10 yards inside the field. To another it is on the touchline. Having agreement about terms makes instructions consistent. The players do not have to constantly reinvent the wheel. Communication is more then "talking on the field." It is the factor that can bind a team together and allow it to be more then the sum of its parts.