Interpersonal Communication Strategies of the Coach in Improving

the Performance of Satria Podomoro Lions Jakarta Basketball

Athletes

Fauziah Yanis and Ida Ayu Wicaksana

Communication Science, Faculty of Economics and Business, and Social Science,

17 August 1945 University Jakarta, Indonesia

Keywords: Communication Strategy, Interpersonal Communication, Achievement.

Abstract: In sports coaching, it is undeniable that athletes' achievements are a measure of success in the coaching

process. However, when athletes reach these achievements, they often face various challenges that can

reduce their motivation, such as some basketball players who have difficulty staying focused during training

and competitions. This research aims to evaluate how a coach's interpersonal communication improves the

performance of Satria Podomoro Lions Jakarta basketball athletes. This study uses a qualitative method with

a descriptive approach, and data are collected through observation, interviews, and documentation. The

results of data analysis indicate that coach communication strategies can be divided into two aspects: coach-

to-athlete communication strategies and coach communication strategies to enhance athlete performance.

The first set of strategies includes active listening, active verbal communication, and empathy built by the

coach. Both of these coach strategies for improving athlete performance have a positive and significant

impact on enhancing the performance of the Satria Podomoro Lions Jakarta basketball club

1 INTRODUCTION

Humans are social beings who cannot be separated

from socialization activities through interactions

with others. One of the activities they engage in is

communication. Communication is the way humans

convey ideas, thoughts, and more. Communication

is crucial and inseparable in human life because it

exists in every aspect. Through communication,

individuals can build relationships at home, in

institutions, communities, or wherever they are.

Interpersonal communication is one of the human

communication forms where communication occurs

directly between two individuals, whether verbal

or nonverbal. One example of interpersonal

communication in daily life is between a coach and

an athlete in sports such as basketball. Interpersonal

communication is essential in building a positive

relationship between a coach and an athlete. The

coach is the primary and crucial figure for an

athlete's growth and development. The coach's

primary functions include serving as a means of

communication, educating, nurturing, and

socializing athletes, and developing the abilities of

all their students to perform well in the sports arena.

The coach-athlete relationship is often the heart of

effective management (Muhammad, 2014).

Basketball is also quite popular in the United

States and other countries, including Indonesia. In

Indonesia, basketball is a popular sport among both

students and adults. Many basketball development

clubs are established in the capital and other regions.

One of the basketball clubs in North Jakarta is Satria

Podomoro Lions. Satria Podomoro Lions is a

basketball development club established in 2003.

Anjelin's achievements in the National Student

Basketball League in 2016 and 2017 and being the

runner-up in the 2016 National Sports Week (PON)

contribute to the club's attraction. The achievements

of athletes instill a sense of pride in the nation, the

country, and the athletes themselves. Athletes'

achievements are the ultimate goal obtained by

athletes in fulfilling the tasks assigned to them. The

success achieved by successful basketball athletes in

the Satria Podomoro Lions Club is noteworthy. The

main achievement in North Jakarta consistently

earns the back-to-back champion title every year,

especially in the women's team. In 2005, they

124

Yanis, F. and Wicaksana, I.

Interpersonal Communication Strategies of the Coach in Improving the Performance of Satria Podomoro Lions Jakarta Basketball Athletes.

DOI: 10.5220/0012641200003821

Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In Proceedings of the 4th Inter national Seminar and Call for Paper (ISCP UTA ’45 JAKARTA 2023), pages 124-129

ISBN: 978-989-758-691-0; ISSN: 2828-853X

became the overall champions in the women's 18-

year age group, women's 16-year age group, men's

18-year age group, and men's 16-year age group.

However, in pursuing these achievements, athletes

often face various challenges that can decrease their

motivation, such as some basketball players having

issues that affect their focus during training and

matches. These issues may stem from family,

friends, or personal problems that have not been

resolved. In this regard, coaches must be able to

motivate athletes, encouraging them to train their

skills and techniques and apply them in highly

critical competition situations. The mentioned ability

is related to the various strategies coaches use to

enhance athlete motivation (Brewer, 2016).

Effective interpersonal communication by the

coach in training can improve the success of the club

and the motivation of the club's players (Gunarsa,

2015). Based on the consideration that a coach's

communication can be directed towards motivating

and achieving sports excellence for athletes, this

research focuses on the Satria Podomoro Lions

Jakarta basketball club. This study selects Satria

Podomoro Lions as the research subject because the

basketball club has many athletes who have

achieved numerous accolades.

2 THEORETICAL FOUNDATION

2.1 Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal communication is communication that

takes place between two or more people face-to-

face. For example, a conversation between two

people who know each other and happen to meet.

This conversation occurs spontaneously and without

planning (Hafied Cangara, 2016). Interpersonal

communication refers to exchanging messages,

information, and meaning between two or more

people in personal or interpersonal relationships.

There are also strategies to enhance interpersonal

communication, some of which have been identified

by experts in the field of communication to

strengthen interpersonal communication, namely:

A. Active listening,

B. Using effective verbal communication and

C. Building empathy.

In communication there are several components of

interpersonal communication, namely:

1. Sender

2. Message

3. Communication Channel

4. Receiver

5. Feedback

6. Noise

7. Communication Goals

Interpersonal communication aims to create

understanding, build good relationships, and achieve

the desired communication goals between

individuals. According to Wood, J. T. (2016),

interpersonal communication has several objectives,

including creating understanding, building good

relationships, obtaining and providing emotional

support, resolving conflicts, fostering cooperation,

and enhancing social skills.

3 ACHIEVEMENT

The definition of achievement emphasizes that it

reflects the extent to which someone successfully

reaches established goals. Achievement involves

individual effort, ability, motivation, and supportive

environments. Factors such as social support,

adequate resources, and a positive work environment

can influence an individual's level of achievement

(Tella et al., 2013).

Brewer (2016) identifies three strategies coaches

can apply to enhance team performance and athlete

motivation: goal setting, feedback, and creating

enjoyable situations.

4 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

In this type of research, the researcher employs

qualitative research methods to determine how to

search, collect, process, and analyze research data.

Qualitative research can be used to understand social

interactions. The author uses a descriptive

qualitative research method to collect an overview,

which the author then uses to answer all questions

related to the research subject (Darmadi, 2013).

Observation and interviews with informants are

required to obtain the data. Thus, the researcher can

present and describe data regarding the coach's

communication strategies in improving the

performance of Satria Podomoro Lions basketball

athletes.

The research target is its object. In this study, the

research target is individuals who will be a source of

information related to the research background. The

research subjects who serve as informants in this

study are athletes and coaches from the Satria

Podomoro Lions Jakarta basketball club.

Interpersonal Communication Strategies of the Coach in Improving the Performance of Satria Podomoro Lions Jakarta Basketball Athletes

125

This research was conducted in Jakarta. The

research location is the training venue of the Satria

Podomoro Lions basketball club, located in Sports

Arena Rival, Arcici Sunter, North Jakarta. The

research duration is approximately four months,

from March 2023 to July 2023. Primary data sources

are those that directly provide data for data

collection. The primary sources in this study have

several criteria for informants:

1. Coaches and high-achieving athletes

2. Coaches with coaching licenses and

experience in training

3. Athletes aged 15-18 years and original Satria

Podomoro Lions players

Secondary sources do not directly provide data

for data collection, such as through intermediaries,

documents, and journals, to ensure a comprehensive

and valid data source. Secondary sources in this

research include electronic media and document

archives (Sugiyono, 2017).

Data collection techniques are the main steps in

research. With data collection techniques, the

research will obtain data that meets the established

data standards. The techniques used in this study are

observation, interviews, and documentation.

Observation is an activity that studies a phenomenon

and events through systematic efforts to see and

record data or information. The observer does not

participate in the activities performed or experienced

by others.

In this study, the researcher uses a semi-

structured interview model. Interviews are

conducted by preparing questions and alternative

answers, but the implementation is more open,

where informants are asked for opinions and ideas.

The interviewer then records what the informant

conveys. In the informant selection technique, the

researcher chooses to interview someone vital to the

research related to the theme, namely the coach and

athletes of the Satria Podomoro Lions Jakarta

basketball club.

All informants are selected using purposive

sampling because this technique covers individuals

selected based on criteria made by the researcher

based on the research objectives. The researcher uses

purposive sampling because the selection of data

sources is made with specific considerations, for

example, individuals who know the most about what

is expected.

Documentation is a method used to obtain data

and information from books, archives, documents,

numerical and pictorial writings, and explanations

that can support research. Documents refer to

materials such as photos taken by the researcher

with informants and sound recordings (Sugiyono,

2018).

Qualitative data analysis is organizing,

analyzing, and interpreting non-numeric data into

information or trends to be used as a reference in

developing research.

Data reduction involves summarizing, selecting

main topics, focusing only on essential topics

relevant to the research, searching for themes and

patterns, and ultimately providing a clearer picture,

making it easier to collect subsequent data

(Sugiyono, 2017). Data presentation is one of the

activities in creating a research report to make the

research results understandable and analyzable

according to the intended objectives (Sugiyono,

2017).

Concluding qualitative research is expected to be

new findings that have never existed before.

Concluding involves understanding and responding

to something directly observed in the field by

arranging patterns of direction and cause and effect

(Sugiyono, 2017). The data validation technique

uses source triangulation to test data credibility by

reviewing information from various sources, such as

interview results, archives, and other documents, to

produce different data and provide different

perspectives on the phenomenon being studied.

Therefore, a technique is needed to unify data

differences to draw accurate and precise conclusions.

5 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The Satria Podomoro Lions Basketball Club is one

of the leading basketball clubs in North Jakarta,

Indonesia. Established in 2003 initially as Satria

Podomoro, the club aims to develop and advance

basketball at the local and national levels. The club

accommodates various age groups, from children to

adults, providing opportunities for young athletes to

learn and grow in basketball through regular

training, internal matches, and external tournaments.

5.1 Achievements

Satria Podomoro Lions boast numerous

achievements. The club has achieved notable

success at the North Jakarta City level, including

securing the second position in the National under-

18 women's category. This achievement emphasizes

the presence of young talents in the club,

showcasing their potential to compete at higher

levels. Additionally, several athletes from the club

have excelled nationally, participating in the

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National Sports Week (PON) in Palembang and DKI

Jakarta. Their participation in PON highlights their

status as among the best nationally, capable of

competing with athletes from other regions.

5.2 Interpersonal Communication

Strategies of Satria Podomoro Lions

Basketball Coach in Jakarta

The research results, obtained through interviews

with key figures, emphasize the crucial role of

interpersonal communication in athlete training for

achieving high sports performance. Coaches play

pivotal roles as leaders, motivators, and mentors for

athletes. The way coaches communicate

significantly impacts athlete performance and

development.

In this context, interpersonal communication is

crucial in both training and championship settings

in sports, supporting enhancing athlete

performance. Active communication is vital during

interactions, as athletes often share their issues and

motivations during such engagements (Sholihah &

Pudjijuniarto, 2021). Satria Podomoro Lions

employs three strategies to enhance interpersonal

communication:

5.2.1 Active Listening

Active listening involves attentiveness, empathy,

and understanding, ensuring the recipient's message

is well received and understood. The application of

active listening was evident in interviews with

Coach Patric and Coach Bowo, explaining how

coaches approach less motivated athletes during

training. Effective interpersonal communication

between the coach, players, and other team members

is crucial to creating a pleasant environment,

motivating players, and increasing their involvement

in achieving the best performance.

Coach Bowo emphasized direct observation of

less motivated athletes' behavior. To understand the

reasons for the athletes' lack of enthusiasm, Coach

Bowo took the initiative to call the athletes and have

a personal conversation. A face-to-face discussion

allowed for more open and honest communication,

enabling Coach Bowo to identify the underlying

issues. Success indicators for this approach include

the coach's ability to actively listen, provide full

attention, and engage in direct discussions with

demotivated athletes.

Coaches who manage to connect with less

motivated athletes can build strong relationships,

understand athletes' feelings and needs, and help

them find solutions to overcome challenges. Coach

Bowo successfully implemented this approach

outside of training or matches, using WhatsApp

groups for casual conversations, discussions, and

basketball-related topics. Coach Patric also excelled

in applying this approach outside of scheduled

training or matches, using direct communication

through chat to better understand the athletes'

feelings and conditions.

5.2.2 Active Verbal Communication

Effective verbal communication in basketball team

coaching includes various forms of oral

communication between the coach and players. This

includes technical instructions, feedback, motivation,

support, and daily interactions. Effective verbal

communication allows messages to be conveyed,

avoids

misunderstandings, and establishes a good

relationship between the coach and players.

Effective verbal communication proves to be an

essential strategy for enhancing interpersonal

communication. Verbal communication involves

using words and language to convey messages to

others. In coaching the Satria Podomoro Lions

basketball team, Coach Patric and Coach Bowo have

implemented various effective verbal

communication strategies. These include using clear,

straightforward language, active listening, providing

constructive feedback, and creating a positive

communication climate.

Researchers suggest building more structured

empathy and creating a pleasant atmosphere during

training.

5.2.3 Building Empathy

Building empathy in interpersonal communication

means that the coach strives to truly understand and

appreciate the players' feelings, needs, and

perspectives. This involves careful listening,

showing understanding and attention to players, and

being willing to empathize with challenges or

problems faced by the players. The importance of

empathy in the basketball team context includes:

1. Enhancing trust and collaboration

2. Improving effective communication

3. Reducing conflicts

4. Improving performance

Building empathy between the coach and players is a

process that involves direct and indirect

communication, building chemistry, and

understanding the characteristics and expectations of

Interpersonal Communication Strategies of the Coach in Improving the Performance of Satria Podomoro Lions Jakarta Basketball Athletes

127

each individual in the team. Technical and tactical

skills and the quality of interpersonal relationships

between the coach and players determine team

success.

5.3 Coach's Strategies for Improving

Athlete Performance

Interpersonal communication in the context of

athlete training is crucial to achieving high sports

performance. Coaches act as leaders, motivators,

and mentors for athletes, and the coach's

communication style significantly impacts athlete

performance and development. In this case,

interpersonal communication, or communication

between individuals, plays a significant role in

implementing training and championships in the

sports world to support improving athlete

performance. Active communication becomes

crucial during interactions, as athletes often share

their issues and motivations during such

engagements (Sholihah & Pudjijuniarto, 2021).

5.3.1 Goal Setting

Goal-setting is one of the essential interpersonal

communication strategies coaches use to improve

athlete performance. Setting specific and clear goals

is a crucial step in achieving desired outcomes.

Goal-setting allows coaches and athletes to work

together to determine specific and measurable

targets. Well-defined goals help direct athletes'

effort, focus, and commitment to achieving optimal

results.

5.3.2 Feedback

Feedback is crucial to the coach's communication

strategy to improve athlete performance. In the

sports world, feedback serves as a means to evaluate,

criticize, and praise the performance and actions of

athletes. Feedback is a crucial component in the

communication strategy between the coach and

athletes in enhancing sports performance. Different

types of feedback have different impacts on athlete

motivation and performance.

5.3.3 Creating a Pleasant Environment

Creating a pleasant environment in Sports training

means establishing a positive, friendly, and

enjoyable atmosphere for athletes. A pleasant

environment in sports involves a coaching approach

that prioritizes fun, joy, and camaraderie to achieve

training goals and improve performance. Creating a

pleasant environment is essential to the coach's

communication strategy with athletes to enhance

motivation, engagement, and performance.

Regarding positive leadership, the coach, as the

team leader, plays a crucial role in creating a

pleasant environment. The coach must have a

positive, enthusiastic, and inspiring attitude to

influence team spirit. By setting a good example, the

coach can bring positive energy into the team

environment.

The communication strategy in creating a

pleasant situation in sports clubs has various

significant positive impacts. Increasing players' spirit

and motivation, strengthening teamwork and

collaboration, improving training quality, reducing

stress levels, enhancing ownership and loyalty, and

improving match results are some of the expected

impacts of the effective implementation of this

communication strategy.

6 CONCLUSION AND

RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the presentation and analysis of data, it can

be concluded that the communication strategies

employed by the Satria Podomoro Lions Jakarta

coach from the sub-study are divided into two

categories: communication strategies from the coach

to the athlete, namely active listening, active verbal

communication, and building empathy, and coach

strategies in improving athlete performance, namely

goal-setting, feedback, and creating a pleasant

environment. Both strategies have a positive and

significant impact on improving athlete performance

and enhancing the achievements of the Satria

Podomoro Lions Jakarta basketball club.

The researcher suggests that the Satria Podomoro

Lions Jakarta Club consider developing programs

for active listening, effective verbal communication,

and more structured empathy. Additionally,

increasing the frequency of feedback given to

athletes and coaches of Satria Podomoro Lions

Jakarta is recommended, focusing more on creating

a pleasant atmosphere during training.

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