A Study of Nonverbal Communication by Coaches: Relationships between Communication Ability and Coaching Evaluation*

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to construct a nonverbal communication scale for coaches (NCSC) and examine the relationships between nonverbal communication (NVC), communication ability, and coaching evaluation.
Study 1 involved the construction of the NCSC. Adolescent athletes (N=166) completed a questionnaire that measured coaches' nonverbal communication (perceived frequency and impression). Eight factors were identified via exploratory factor analysis. These factors were negative NVC (unfavorable impression formation, negative attitude, unacceptable attitude, and exhibition of perplexity) and positive NVC (positive distance, positive gesture, positive touching, and positive expression).
In Study 2, the reliability and validity of the NCSC were assessed, and the relationships between NVC, communication ability, and coaching evaluation were examined. Adolescent athletes (N=276) estimated their coaches' NVC, communication ability, and coaching using the NCSC, Communication Ability Evaluation Scale, and Coaching Evaluation Scale.
Results of structural equation modeling demonstrated the following: (1) reliability and validity of the NCSC used to measure coaches' NVC; (2) relationships between NVC, communication ability, and coaching evaluation; and (3) mediation of communication ability in these relationships. The findings provide a model for relationships between NVC, communication ability, and coaching evaluation.