BEYOND WORDS – NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION IN SPORTS

Non-verbal communication also called body language is an important aspect of communication. However, most of participants in the communication process are neither aware of nor familiar with. It includes facial expressions, voice pitch, gestures, body posture and movements, touch and eye gaze. The research on non-verbal communication usually sets three wider areas: communication setting (physical and spatial), communicator’s physical appearance and characteristics and body posture and movements (eye-gaze, vocal quality, facial expressions, gestures, posture and touch). It is important for a coach to understand non- verbal phenomena not only to control his own communication but also to be “a step ahead” of the athletes by recognizing the signs that were being sent beyond the words.