The Potential of Language Use Analysis in Sports Coaching

Focusing on “Tempo” and “Rhythm” in Football (Soccer)

Abstract

This study examines the language a coach uses with players during sports training—which they pay little attention to—the situation it is used, and interpret the words and physical sensation, especially the sense of time. Focusing on football (soccer), we conducted a text mining analysis of the speech data and a qualitative analysis of semi– structured interview data for two words, “rhythm” and “tempo”. The former analysis revealed that the words were used in a single utterance, the coach referred to the sub–coaching and main–coaching teams, and “tempo” was used for instruction and evaluation. The latter analysis showed that the coach understood that players’ and coach’s sense of time may differ. During the interview, the coach tried to recreate and explain the interpretations of these words. This study’s findings propose specific research methods and support the integration of research and practice in sports coaching.