Why do coaches need to provide role clarity to players?

My coaching business allows me to engage with various players at different levels and with different backgrounds. One thing that I am constantly picking up on during my time working with teams are that players have a need to understand their role in a team. When working with teams I usually ask players the following three questions: 1. What is your coach expecting from you? 2. What is your teammates expecting of you?

3. What are your expectations for yourself? Navy seals are regarded as highly functional teams one reason being that they always have clarity on the mission. To create a functional team environment coaches have to make sure that players have clarity on their role within the team. Communication remains a key skill for coaches and players in any team environment. My tip to coaches: never assume that players know.

At times as coaches we might feel frustrated with players on our team because the player doesn't seem to meet our expectations. Don't give up on the player just yet, rather consider communicating your expectations to that player. Have clarity on the mission by insuring players know what to do on the court and sharing what you are expecting from them. Nowadays players are really finding it hard to communicate and as coaches we have the opportunity to help them through this process. Try to have an open door policy for your players to talk to you whenever they need to. Make room for questions during training sessions, don't be afraid that you might not have the right answer at that point in time, the fact that you are allowing players to ask questions encourages them to communicate with you.

To be a successful team, inclusion is very important and each member of the team needs to feel that they belong, are valued and trusted. Have sit down sessions with each of your players explaining their role to them and sharing your expectations with them. Create an opportunity for players to share with each other what they are expecting from fellow teammates. Yes this will take up some your time but at the end of it you will have a clear mission. Coaches will have to make a conscious decision to implement these type of conversations with players. I can guarantee coaches that role clarity will enhance a team's performance, just try it you might end up feeling a little less frustrated this season.