Interpersonal space management
The benefits of mastering space between the coach and their players |
- Possibility to receive feedback from players when necessary;
- Time optimization: we have seen that varying the distance according to our familiarity with our proposals avoids wasting time, in case we have to repeat or explain the exercise again;
- The voice arrives correctly and can be modulated as required;
- It improves attention and reduces distractions;
- Adopting an intimate or personal distance increases emotional involvement, which helps connecting with players;
- Managing dysfunctional group dynamics, for instance by limiting mockery in case of a player’s mistake;
- Increase of the group’s perceived efficacy and improvement of individual self-efficacy: To catch the meaning of this concepts I’ll ask you to imagine what players of a team might think in the long run hearing a teammate being incessantly scold during practice and then have to pass him the ball during the match. Would they trust him? Would they credit him with any skill or competency? Would they feel that all members of the team are equally or at least potentially capable? Not at all! This is why it is important to correctly manage mistakes or difficult moments for young players, also adopting “the right distance”, so as to avoid them feeling judged and unskilful;
- All players perceive themselves as being on the same level for they feel being treated equally: This happens when I keep a social or public distance as well as when I opt for a personal or intimate distance which I choose to adopt with all the players in different moments, according to specific needs (correction, support, confrontation of two players);
- Management of the individual in the group and of the group as a collection of individuals.