The 4 Communication Styles in Team Sports: How Athletes React Under Pressure

Effective communication is the backbone of any successful team sport. Whether it's on the soccer pitch, basketball court, or volleyball court, the way athletes communicate during high-pressure situations can make or break the team's performance. Psychologists and sport scientists have long studied the types of communication athletes use in competitive environments. One popular framework identifies four primary communication styles: passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and assertive. Each of these styles comes with distinct behaviors, underlying motivations, and potential impact on team dynamics.

1. Passive Communication: The Silent Struggler

What it looks like: An athlete avoids expressing frustration or disagreement. They stay quiet when something goes wrong, fearing conflict or judgment.

In-game example: A volleyball player repeatedly watches her teammate miss defensive plays but says nothing. Her performance begins to decline, and her body language shows withdrawal—shoulders slumped, eye contact avoided, and reduced vocal presence.

Why it happens: Passive communication often stems from low self-confidence, fear of authority, or a desire to maintain harmony at any cost. According to research in sports psychology, athletes with perfectionistic or people-pleasing tendencies are more likely to use passive styles (Eys et al., 2007).

Team impact: Issues go unaddressed. Misunderstandings accumulate. The player internalizes stress, which can decrease individual performance and limit team cohesion.

2. Aggressive Communication: The Vocal Challenger

What it looks like: An athlete voices frustration in a harsh, often disrespectful way. They dominate conversations or blame others without room for discussion.

In-game example: A basketball player yells at a teammate after a turnover: "Are you blind? That was your man!" The team falls into tension, and others hesitate to communicate.

Why it happens: Aggressive communication can stem from a high drive for control, fear of appearing weak, or learned behavior from high-pressure environments. Athletes who link their self-worth to performance may lash out to protect ego (Martens, 2012).

Team impact: This style creates fear, shuts down dialogue, and leads to poor chemistry. Trust erodes over time.

3. Passive-Aggressive Communication: The Quiet Saboteur

What it looks like: Athletes express dissatisfaction indirectly. They don’t speak up but let their frustration affect their behavior.

In-game example: A soccer player feels the coach is making unfair substitutions. Instead of saying anything, they stop pressing in defense and avoid participating in team huddles.

Why it happens: This style often arises when athletes feel powerless or fear confrontation, yet still hold resentment. It's a defense mechanism to express protest without open risk (Goleman, 1995).

Team impact: Confusing signals emerge. Morale drops. Teammates sense something is wrong but can’t address it directly.

4. Assertive Communication: The Balanced Leader

What it looks like: An athlete communicates clearly, confidently, and respectfully. They express needs without disrespecting others.

In-game example: A team captain notices low morale and says during a timeout: "Let’s reset. We all make mistakes. Focus on the next play, and help each other out."

Why it happens: Assertive communicators often have high emotional intelligence and self-awareness. They see communication as a tool for solving problems, not winning battles. Research shows that assertiveness training improves athlete satisfaction and performance (Tod et al., 2011).

Team impact: Creates psychological safety, stronger relationships, and better collaboration under pressure.

Conclusion: Training Communication Like a Skill

Just like strength, speed, or strategy, communication can be trained. Coaches and mental performance specialists can guide athletes toward assertive habits by creating reflective moments, modeling healthy dialogue, and fostering environments where speaking up is encouraged and respected.

Understanding the different communication styles and the psychology behind them can help teams move from conflict and confusion toward connection and confidence.

References:

• Eys, M. A., Carron, A. V., Bray, S. R., & Brawley, L. R. (2007). Role ambiguity in sport teams. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 29(3), 364–382.

• Martens, R. (2012). Successful Coaching. Human Kinetics.

• Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence. Bantam.

• Tod, D., Hardy, J., & Oliver, E. (2011). Effects of self-talk: A systematic review. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 33(5), 666–687.