Communicating with Swimmers

Last Updated on March 11, 2024 by admin

In this article, we’ll provide advice, hacks and tips to help coaches when communicating with swimmers.

The importance of good communication

Coaches should use a variety of methods when communicating with swimmers during meetings, training sessions and competitions.

Developing a set of good communication skills are key coaching attributes.

• They can help to develop relationships, can help to build understanding and can help to gain commitment.
• They can make a swimming programme more effective, rewarding and enjoyable for all of its participants.
• Good positive communication can be a great motivator for the recipient.
• A set of good communication skills can play a key role in helping a coach succeed in their swimming career.
• While it may take time and practice, communication skills can be developed and enhanced.

How swimmers learn

Just like everybody else, swimmers have preferred learning styles, in which they absorb, process, comprehend and retain information.

There are seven recognised learning styles:

• Visual (spatial) prefers the use of pictures and images.
• Verbal (linguistic) prefers the use of words, both spoken and written
• Aural (auditory-musical) prefers the use of sound and music.
• Physical (kinaesthetic) prefers the use of their body, hands and sense of touch.
• Logical (mathematical) prefers the use of logic, reasoning and systems.
• Social (interpersonal) prefers to learn in groups or with other people.
• Solitary (intrapersonal) prefers to work alone and use self-study.

Most swimmers use a mix of learning styles, but some may have a more dominant style of learning.

• Therefore, for a swimming programme to be really effective, it’s important that coaches use a combination of communication methods to consider their swimmer’s differing learning styles.

For example,

• The coach should ensure that they not only verbally communicate their training sessions, but they should also write on a whiteboard.

Types of communication

There are four main types of communication. These are verbal, nonverbal, written and visual.

Verbal communication

Verbal communication is the use of speaking or sign language to transmit information.

• This is one of the most common, effective and preferred types of communication.
• It’s often used during training sessions, one-on-one conversations, phone calls, presentations, and meetings.
• Verbal communication can be even more effective if used in combination with nonverbal and written communication.

Verbal communication in swimming

There are many instances when verbal communication plays an important part when communicating with swimmers. These include,

• On the poolside/deck, when a coach explains the details of the next training set.
• A coach discussing race tactics with an individual swimmer.
• In a meeting room where a coach outlines the season’s training plan to a swim squad.

Verbal communication at gala/meets

Coaches tend to have their own methods when it comes to verbal communication at galas/meets.

• When their swimmers are competing, some coaches have the ability to whistle loudly.
• This seems to be most common during a breaststroke race.
• Other coaches shout loudly
• Due to the poor acoustics underwater, whether this method is effective is open to further debate.
• It appears to some that most coaches whistle and shout during a race to demonstrate to the parents on the balcony that they are supporting their child.
• This may be fine if they have a small group.
• However, with a large group of swimmers, this can put a strain on their vocal cords.

How to improve verbal communication

There are a number of ways a coach can develop their verbal communication skills. These include,

Speaking with confidence

Coaches should practise speaking with confidence.

• They should practice speaking in a loud enough voice so that those they are communicating with can hear them easily.
• However, they should be aware of not speaking too loudly, especially when communicating one-to-one.
• The most common verbal communication mistake is speaking too quickly.
• Therefore, it’s important that a coach should also regularly practice speaking at a slower and more relaxed pace.
• This should enable their verbal communication to become clear and easy for others to understand.

Avoid filler words

Using filler words such as, ‘err’, ‘umm’ and ‘you know’ are usually used when a person is trying to think of what to say next.

• Using filler words makes the speaker look uncertain.
• Coaches should practise speaking without using filler words.
• They should also practice taking a breath when they are tempted to use them.
• A good method of practice is to speak to a trusted friend or member of your family.
• They can inform them when they use any filler words.

 Active listening

A key verbal communication skill is the ability to actively listen.

• Coaches should practise smiling when listening.
• Smiling can show the speaker that they are listening and happy with what they are saying.
• Coaches should also establish appropriate eye contact with the speaker.
• Another important active listening attribute is good posture.
  • Leaning slightly forward, with the head resting, on one hand, are positive active listening poses.
  • This demonstrates to those present that you are listening and paying attention to what others may be saying.

Nonverbal communication

Nonverbal communication is the use of body language, gestures, postures, facial expressions or the tone of a voice to transmit information.

• It is estimated that as much as 80% of all communication is nonverbal.
• Nonverbal communication can be expressed both intentionally and unintentionally.
• For example, a coach may smile unintentionally when they hear a pleasing piece of information.
• Nonverbal communication can enable a coach to understand the swimmer’s attitudes or emotions.
• For example, a swimmer may be feeling nervous when talking to them.
• This could be indicated by them displaying a ‘closed’ body language pose, such as folding their arms or hunching their shoulders.
• Another example, a swimmer may feel confident and happy when talking to their coach.
• This could be indicated by them displaying an ‘open’ body language pose, with both of their feet on the floor and arms by their side.

Examples of poor body language

• A frown on the face
• Folded arms
• Hands in the pockets
• Hands-on the hips
• Shaking the head
• Thumbs down
• A poor posture

Examples of positive body language

• A smiling face
• Nodding of the head
• A good posture
• High fives
• Fist bumps
• Thumbs up
• Clapping

Nonverbal communication in swimming

There are many instances when nonverbal communication plays an important part when communicating with swimmers. These include,

• A coach provides a swimmer with an encouraging ‘thumbs up’ when performing a set or a drill correctly.
• A swimmer cupping their hand to their ear, indicating to the coach that they cannot hear their instructions.
• A coach waving an extended arm to encourage a swimmer to increase their stroke rate.
• Two arms raise vertically, which usually means that the swimmer is swimming well, or that the race is going to plan.
• A coach simulating a flutter kick action with their arms to indicate that the swimmer should increase the intensity of their kicking
• A coach simulating a freestyle arm stroke with a high elbow to indicate to the swimmer to raise their elbow during their arm stroke

How to improve nonverbal communication

There are a number of ways a coach can develop their nonverbal communication skills. These include,

Using positive nonverbal communication

• Coaches should regularly practice using positive body language.
• This can be most effective when used in combination with verbal communication.

Copy good examples of nonverbal communication

• Coaches should copy and incorporate any examples of good nonverbal communication they may observe.
• For example, they may observe a fellow coach smiling and nodding when they are speaking to their swimmers.
• If they think it may develop their own nonverbal communication skills, they should copy it and use it.

Written communication

Written communication is the use of writing to transmit information.

• It is extremely important because it enables the recording of information for reference.

Written communication in swimming

There are many instances when written communication plays an important part when communicating with swimmers. These include,

• Writing training sets on a whiteboard on the poolside/deck.
• Recording training times and other information such as stroke count and stroke rate.
• The timing and recording of race splits and times
• Recording the objectives and expectations of a swimmer during the goal-setting process.

How to improve written communication

There are a number of ways a coach can develop their written communication skills. These include,

Keeping it simple

• Written communications should be written clearly.
• It should also be simple and easy to understand.
• This can be most effective when used in combination with verbal communication.

 Edit and proofread

• Coaches should allow time to edit and proofread any emails, letters or memos.
• For important communications, it might be useful to have someone else to edit and proofread the item.

 Keep good examples

Coaches may come across good examples of written communications, which they could find useful in producing written communications of their own.

Visual communication

Visual communication is the use of images or diagrams to transmit information.

• This can be most effective when used in combination with verbal and written communication.

Visual communication in swimming

There are many instances when visual communication plays an important part when communicating with swimmers. These include,

• Coaches use sketches to help them illustrate a technical point during a training session.
• Many top swimmers also use images of motivational slogans or mantras to help them during different situations.

How to improve your visual communication

There are a number of ways a coach can develop their visual communication skills. These include,

Using clear and simple images

Coaches should ensure that any visual communications are clear and easy to understand.

• They should guard against using visual communication that may confuse the recipient.

Ensure they are understood

Coaches should ensure that if the need arises, they spend time explaining the meaning of any visual communication.

Takeaways

Coaches use a variety of methods when communicating with swimmers during meetings, training sessions and competitions.

Developing a set of good communication skills are key coaching attributes.

• They help to develop relationships, help to build understanding and help to gain commitment.
• They can make a swimming programme more effective, rewarding and enjoyable for all of its participants.
• Good positive communication can be a great motivator for the recipient.
• A set of good communication skills can play a key role in helping a coach succeed in their swimming career.
• While it may take time and practice, communication skills are able to be developed and enhanced.

Swimming resource library

We have provided a swimming resource library.

• This contains links to all of our publications and blog articles.
• Now with an easy-to-use index.
• To access any article simply click on the attached page link: swimming resource library

Swimming Publications

EatSleepSwimCoach produces a growing range of publications on a wide range of swimming subjects.

• These include competitive swimming drill publications for backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and freestyle.
• Which are now available in both Amazon Kindle and paperback formats.

For information regarding our portfolio please follow the Swimming publications link on our website https://eatsleepswimcoach.com/publications/

Recommended swimming equipment

We have provided a recommended swimming equipment page.

• It contains the swimming equipment that we and our swimmers use and recommend.
• You can access this page by clicking on the following link: recommended swimming equipment.

The Competitive Swimming Exchange – Facebook Group

We are members of The Competitive Swimming Exchange. This is a competitive swimming Facebook group to help exchange ideas and information to collectively improve the sport we love.

• It’s an international group for all swimmers, coaches, teachers, masters, triathletes and swimming parents. In fact, it’s for all those who are interested in competitive swimming, either in the pool or in open water

For more information about joining this group please use the following link: The Competitive Swimming Exchange