In these last couple of weeks in class, we have studied and delved deep into the analysis and importance of
communication in general, but specifically non-verbal communication and its power
to change the meaning of messages over text or email. Communication is unavoidable, a continuous
process that is improved and worked on throughout ones entire life and has many
channels. One of the channels of
communication is nonverbal.
Nonverbal communication is defined to include
all behavior in communication except actual words. This includes but is not
limited to: physical appearance, proxemics (space and territory), kinesics
(movement/body language), paralanguage (tone/pitch/speed your talking) and
haptic (touch).
In the world of Athletics, nonverbal
cues and communication are especially important and could greatly affect the
outcome of the game if one pays careful attention to their competitors’ cues. In the article “Body Language in Sports” in
the Huffington Post, Vanessa Van Edwards describes the universal body language
of a winner. I can personally allude to this universal cue and agree with her
that almost every winning athlete after a moment of triumph fills his/her heart
with accomplishment and pride the same way. I remember scoring soccer goals
throwing my hands up in the air and looking up to the sky, just like Edwards
describes about runners in her article after completing an exhausting race; they
too threw their hands up in the air with pride and looked up to almost thank a
higher being for his/her success.
On the contrary, with every win
comes a defeat, which also has a universal sign. Edwards describes this look as
a “balloon deflating in the air”, head hanging low with a look of frustration.
We all know what it looks like and how it feels- which sometimes we wish to
forget.
One of the first requirements
coaches ask young athletes to begin to master and practice is the art of being
able to communicate and read peoples nonverbal cues. High intensity sports like
rugby, soccer and football use an incredible amount of signals to defeat
they’re opponent and communicate direction and other messages. I remember in
soccer we had certain hand signals meaning pass to my feet, give me a leading
pass, man on from behind etc. Not only was learning how to communicate with
your teammates nonverbally important to the game but also being able to
immediately read your opponents gestures to figure out which way they are cutting,
changing direction, or where they looking to pass. Examples Vanessa Van Edwards
gives in her article of these practices include, the popular chin nod instead
of a finger point for a directional communication, or the eyebrow flash humans
instinctively do to attract attention.
Nonverbal Communication is the
determining factor between an amateur athlete and a more experienced athlete
and their reaction time to opponents’ actions and signals. It’s not only a
necessity in becoming a developed athlete but for effective communication in general.
Although I agree with Ms. Edwards about some of these nonverbal cues are
instinctive for some like putting your hand over your mouth during flight or
flight when threatened; I also believe that many nonverbal cues are learned,
specially those specific to sports and certain plays during the game. Looking at athletics allows us to see an
immense source of territorial communication signals as well as clear nonverbal
and verbal prompts.
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