How to Communicate So Athletes Listen, Trust and Perform

Coaching Influence: Communicating so athletes listen, trust, and perform

This is a practical session for coaches who want athletes engaged, thinking, and committed to improvement.

This workshop breaks down how athletes actually hear information, why good coaching advice is often ignored, and what gets in the way of trust and buy-in. Coaches learn how their words, tone, timing, and body language shape motivation, effort, and performance far more than technical instruction alone.

We will explore simple, evidence-based communication strategies that build clarity under pressure, strengthen coach/athlete relationships, and reduce friction during feedback and correction. The focus is on real conversations coaches have every week: pre-game, in training, after mistakes, and in high-emotion moments.

Coaches will leave with practical tools they can use immediately to influence behaviour, improve understanding, and create an environment where athletes want to listen, trust the message, and perform at their best.

Presenter BIO

Ian Crawford is a leadership coach, facilitator, and professional speaker with more than 35 years’ experience working with leaders, teams, and coaches across community and elite sport, corporate, not-for-profit and government

He specialises in communication, influence, and human behaviour, helping people influence more effectively in real, high-pressure situations. Ian’s work is very practical, evidence based, and grounded in what actually happens on the sporting fields.

Known for his high energy and interactive delivery style, Ian helps coaches turn ideas into action, build trust quickly, and create environments where people listen, take ownership, and perform at their best.