The Power of Communication on the Field: A CBT Perspective for Teams

In team sports, especially fast-paced ones like football, basketball, volleyball or Korfball, communication is not just a soft skill — it’s a critical tool for performance, unity, and strategy. One short moment of miscommunication can affect motivation, trust, and even the entire game dynamic. As a mental coach, I witness this almost with every team that I work with, and one recent example stood out as a perfect case for applying the ABC Model from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

What Is the ABC Model in CBT?

The ABC model is a simple yet powerful way to understand how our thoughts influence our feelings and behaviors. It stands for:

• A – Antecedent (Triggering Event): Something happens.

• B – Belief: You interpret what happened, usually through your own lens.

• C – Consequence: Your emotions and behaviors based on that belief.

The magic of the ABC model lies in changing the belief (B) — because while we can’t always change the event (A), we can shift how we perceive it. And that changes the outcome (C).

⚽ A Real-Life Team Example

I used to work with a high school football team. In one of their matches, something interesting happened:

One of the team’s fastest and most creative attacking midfielders suddenly seemed off. He stopped making those sharp, dangerous runs into the box, looked disengaged, and began playing sloppy passes. He was frustrated and visibly disconnected from the game.

During the half-time, I brought him and the central playmaker together and asked a few questions.

The fast player said:

“I keep making runs, but he’s not passing to me. It’s like I’m invisible out there.”

When I asked the playmaker, he explained:

“I literally can’t spot him quickly with those new black shoes he is wearing — he used to wear red ones until this match. And he’s being double-marked all the time because they know he is fast and dangerous. If I pass, they will intercept and they will score from counter attack.”

Then the fast player had an immediate change in his mentality. He did not add anything to the conversation, but I saw it in his eyes.

What happened here was a textbook ABC case of miscommunication. Let’s analyze it:

❌ Before Communication – The Negative Spiral

• A (Antecedent): The attacking midfielder is not getting the ball.

• B (Belief): He thinks: "He doesn’t trust me. He’s ignoring me. Maybe he even has something against me."

• C (Consequence):

  • Slumped posture

  • Loss of focus

  • Passive play

  • Negative self-talk: "Why bother? He’ll never pass. I’m done with this game."

This emotional overreaction didn’t help anyone — not himself, not the team, not the scoreboard.

✅ After Communication – Reframing Through Clarity

• A (Antecedent): The fast midfielder is not getting the ball.

• B (New Belief): "I’m being heavily marked because I’m dangerous. The other team is really afraid of me. Also, my new black shoes are making it harder to spot me. He actually has a point."

• C (New Consequence):

  • Upright posture

  • Refocused energy

  • Sense of pride: "I’m being taken seriously by the opponent."

  • Strategic thinking: "Let’s switch wings, or we can use me as a decoy. Maybe I’ll wear the old red shoes the next match."

This one conversation turned passive frustration into proactive teamwork and new tactical ideas.

🛠 When & Why to Use the ABC Model in Sports

The ABC Model is incredibly helpful when an athlete:

• Feels misunderstood or ignored

• Begins to shut down or disconnect emotionally

• Creates a story in their head without checking the facts

• Needs help reframing a situation to regain confidence

As a coach or teammate, you can use it to:

• Explore hidden beliefs that drive performance issues

• Help players see the bigger picture

• Rebuild trust and clarity within the team

💬 Final Thoughts

Communication is not just about talking — it’s about clearing the fog in our minds. When players understand each other’s intentions, judgment turns into empathy, blame turns into strategy, and individuals become a team again.

That’s why communication and mental tools like the ABC model aren’t just for psychology sessions. They belong right there on the pitch.

And sometimes, one honest question can change an entire match.

If you’re a coach or athlete looking to improve communication and mindset on the field, feel free to reach out. Mental performance is trainable — and powerful.