Communication has a huge significance on coaching and the session. There are a variety of ways for the coach to communicate to the participants, for example Autocratically and Democratically, but more information for those two points are under the ‘STYLES OF COACHING’ tab on the blog.
Linking communication in with Behaviour Management, it helps to create the environment for the session. There are a variety of ways in which the coach’s communication can affect the environment, ranging from body language to the tone of the coach’s voice. This must all be taken into careful consideration when beggining the placement, in the first session. It is important, as an external coach, that the existing coaches/teachers already have, and this can either be very difficult or easy to gain depending on the coach’s communication styles. Identifying Pierre Bourdieu’s social theory of Habitus and Capital, it helps interpret what is needed in order to gain this initial power and respect from the group.
The image above shows how Bourdeiu’s theory can allow for a succesful practice and habitus to be gained. Bourdieu suggests that each individual person holds specific amount of capital across a number of different aspect. Examples of these aspects are: Social, Symbolic, Cultural and Physical capital. Bourdieu goes on to suggest that with high amounts of capital across all of the aspests stated above, a Habitus can be gained, which is power.
Symbolic capital is the honour or prestige someone has obtained. To gain high levels of symbolic capital, others must have respect and admiration for you or what you have done. An example of this would be Rafael Benitez and Liverpool FC. Despite Benitez leaving Liverpool FC, he still holds high amounts of symbolic capital at the club due to the success he bought to the club. Cultural capital is referred to as the knowledge gained. In this instance it would be the knowledge the coach holds on the sport being coached. Social capital is the level of communication possessed by someone, in this case the coach. Bourdieu suggests that symbolic capital is created through a combination of social and cultural capital, and with this a habitus is also created. Once the habitus is created along with high levels of symbolic capital, it should lead to succesful and well maintained sessions.
Using Bourdeiu’s theory of capital and habitus, it allows the correct and appropriate environment to be created. Displaying high amounts of social capital helps to establish symbolic capital. This can be done by using the correct terminology, communicating appropriately with participants and also using social skills in forms of encouragement and praise.
References
Jarvie, G. and Maguire, J. (1994). ‘Sport and leisure in social thought.’ Chapter 8: ‘Fields of Power, Habitus and Distinction’ pp. 183 – 210