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
Proceedings Copyright © 2024 by SCITEPRESS Science and Technology Publications, Lda.
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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