I found this little snipit written in a recent article by Peter Gobis to be telling and troubling as well. As someone who has spent 15 years as a coach and 30+ years as an athlete, communication amongst players is so crucial. Verbal and non-verbal communication can often be the difference between a win and a loss. Take the non-verbal communication between Tom Brady and Deion Branch in yesterday's 23-20 OT win by the Patriots. On the tying drive in the 4th quarter Brady knew Branch would read the defender and break off his route. When he did, the ball was right there for him to catch. These guys spend countless hours together and learn how to communicate verbally and non-verbally. It's important that we recognize the important learning tool that technology is and embrace it when we can, however, at some point people need to put the phone down and TALK! Are we going to get to the point where athletes have PDA's on the field?? Anyways, read the blurb I have attached and see what you think. Oops, gotta run...text message coming in. :)
"It's a growing phenomenon, an epidemic if you will among female students, female student-athletes - being able to converse. With the advancement of technology, many an area high school coach has noticed the deterioration of communicative skills among their team members. North Attleboro High AD Kurt Kummer is recommending a public speaking course to be installed as part of the curriculum.
Foxboro High field hockey coach Melissa Bordieri has instituted a method to eradicate some of the madness. "If they want to talk to me, it's face to face or call me on the phone - no texting, no e-mails. That's an inexcusable absence!"
I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion then it will start a chain reaction of the same. - Rachel Scott
