Great Body Language - No Matter What

How to maximize individual development and team performance

Hi there,

You don’t have to choose between development and winning - you can have both.

“I was not calm. I was nervous, but all the body language that is not in a positive way…is stupid to make it, because it’s going against you. This is one of the things I have tried to do all my life. The body language helps me, not going against me”

-Rafael Nadal

Nadal wins this match before it begins. His dominant body language sets the tone. He makes noise and takes up space immediately. He is sure of his actions and takes control of the hallway while his opponent uncomfortably asks for how much time so he can get out of that hallway.

This is an example of approach behavior - the opposite of avoidance. It’s simultaneously putting Nadal into a confident state of mind while intimidating his opponent.

Positive and dominant body language will help athletes and coaches create the necessary mindset for competition.

Effects of Body Language

Professor Adam Nicholls, shares 4 effects of body language on opponents on LinkedIn.

1️⃣ 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘖𝘶𝘵𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦
Greenless et al. (2005) found that tennis players' expectations were formed about their chance of winning during the warm-up.

2️⃣ 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺
Furley et al. (2012) found that the dominant body language of penalty takers was perceived as being better players.

3️⃣ 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦
Greenlees et al. (2007) found that table tennis players were less confident in their ability to defeat other players who displayed positive body language in comparison to those who displayed negative body language.

4️⃣ 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘪𝘻𝘦
Van der Kamp and Masters (2008) found that penalty takers perceived that the goalkeeper was bigger depending on body language, and it impacted behaviour.

From a coaching perspective, it could be important to encourage athletes to display positive body language and help them understand that some athletes may be manipulating their own body language to mask nervousness.

Helping your athletes

I’ve found players who display negative body language may not be aware of it. The first step is to bring it to their attention and let them know the effect it is having on anyone who sees it. If possible, it can be helpful to show an example of the player displaying negative as well as positive body language and have a discussion.

Once you have an understanding with the player it becomes easier to bring their attention to the bad body language when you see it. For example, at practice you can skate by them and acknowledge it in a way that it’s just between the two of you.

Great Body Language - No Matter What

Look, when you miss a chance and you go down like this and everybody looks at you. If the superstar is doing that, what are we gonna do?

-Mo Salah

Brock Badgers High Performance Hockey Seminar

2025 date to be announced.

Learn, share, and connect with coaches, scouts, managers and industry professionals from all ages, genders, and levels on the campus of Brock University in the beautiful Niagara region.  

Speakers include coaches from Professional, CHL, USPORTS, NCAA and industry experts.

Click here for the 2023 and 2024 agenda including speakers and topics.

Purchase the video of all presentations from the 2023 and/or 2024 seminar for just $74 (CDN). Email me directly at tmanastersky@brocku.ca for details.

Cheers,

TJ Manastersky
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