Athletes’ Participation in Communication With Coaches: Functions and Preconditions in Elite Sports Using the Example of Three Film Sessions

This article takes a communication-theoretical perspective based on Niklas Luhmann’s systems theory to examine the functions of athletes’ participation in communication with coaches and the preconditions for its effectiveness. The theoretical assumption of the study is that participation can increase the success of communication if it is able to achieve mutual understanding, promote cooperative behavior and effectively regulate conflicts. A content analysis of qualitative video and interview data from elite coaches and athletes in Germany illustrates, through three empirical case studies, the functions and preconditions of purposeful athlete involvement in film sessions. The analysis shows that participation can lead to mutual understanding, cooperative behavior, and effective conflict regulation. However, this requires the establishment of appropriate expectations of participation, a specific socio-structural context, and a definition of the coach’s role. Otherwise, there is a risk that participation can lead to communication problems. The results of this study not only provide academic insights but also show practical implications for coaches and athletes in elite sports.