A Problem on the Pitch
In a recent This Is Anfield article, Liverpool U18s coach Jay Spearing admitted something surprising. Despite years of top-level experience, he’s struggled with one key issue, I’m sure we all have as coaches—getting your players talking in training and games.
“It’s one of the strangest things I’ve seen,” he said. “Nobody says anything.”
Jay Spearing
Reading this, I couldn’t help but nod. I’ve experienced the same problem. Young athletes, especially in high-stakes environments like rugby, often fall silent when we need them most.
But if you want to build a successful rugby team, you’ve got to get your players talking.
Communication on the pitch is more than just helpful. It’s crucial. Rugby demands coordination, trust, and shared awareness. Without regular, clear talk between teammates, even the best game plans fall apart.
So why don’t they talk? And how do we change that?
Let’s look at three common reasons behind this silence and how to fix them.
1. Dealing with Anxiety and Performance Pressure
The Problem: Fear of Judgment
Young athletes often feel immense pressure to perform. They worry about mistakes, letting down teammates, or being judged by coaches and supporters. That anxiety can paralyze them. Instead of speaking up, they stay silent—hoping not to stand out.
The Solution: Normalize Mistakes Through Training Culture
One of the most effective ways to lower anxiety is to create a safe space in training. Coaches should openly discuss failure as part of learning. Praise effort, progress and communication over perfection.
Dr. Carol Dweck’s research into “growth mindset” provides a strong foundation. When players believe skills can improve through effort, they stop fearing mistakes. This opens the door to better communication.
Try running drills where players must talk. For example, a passing game where every touch requires a verbal call. Praise the talking, even when mistakes happen. Over time, confidence builds, and silence fades.
Pantheon Tip:
After every session, debrief with a few minutes of open feedback. Let players share what they saw or felt—out loud. This helps normalize speaking under pressure.
2. Focus and Concentration
The Problem: Tunnel Vision
Sometimes, athletes are so focused on their own role that they forget to speak. Others simply haven’t developed the skill of multitasking—thinking, moving, and talking all at once.
The Solution: Train Talk as a Skill
You wouldn’t expect a player to make clean passes without practice. Communication should be treated the same way.
Add talking to existing drills. For example, in defense sessions, create trigger words for different patterns like pressing or covering. Require players to say the trigger words or it’s an automatic point to the attack. Make it automatic.
To get your players talking in real game settings, they need to build those patterns in training first. They need to feel the consequences of not communicating are as real as any missed tackle, or poor pass.
Another powerful tool is video feedback. Show game footage with audio. Let players hear where silence led to a missed chance or a defensive lapse. Sometimes, awareness is all they need.
Pantheon Tip:
Assign one player each drill to be the “voice.” Then rotate. That way, everyone practices speaking as part of their role, not just the loudest personalities.
3. Age, Maturity, and Team Culture
The Problem: They Don’t Know It’s Expected
Younger players may not have the confidence to speak up, especially around older players. Others might come from teams where communication wasn’t encouraged. Without clear expectations and a supportive culture, silence becomes the norm.
The Solution: Build a Talk-First Culture
From day one, let your players know what kind of team they’re joining. One that values voice. One that supports each other loudly and clearly.
Hold a team workshop. Have players write down what they think makes a great teammate. Guide the conversation toward communication.
Then, bake those values into daily practice. Reward communication the same way you reward hustle or effort. Make it visible.
When you get your players talking, you’re not just improving performance—you’re strengthening your team’s identity.
Pantheon Tip:
Give awards like “Communicator of the day” or give shoutouts during session review. The more visible communication becomes, the more players will embrace it.
Wrapping It Up: Communication Wins Matches
Getting athletes to speak up isn’t always easy, but it is necessary.
Rugby is a game of quick decisions, shared awareness, and teamwork. All of that starts with one thing—communication.
If you want to win more matches, build stronger units, and unlock player potential, you must get your players talking.
We looked at three common blockers:
- Anxiety and fear of failure
- Difficulty multitasking
- A lack of vocal culture
Each has a solution grounded in practical coaching. Normalize mistakes. Train communication habits. Create a team culture that expects and rewards vocal leadership.
These aren’t magic fixes, but they work.
Every training session is a chance to build trust and communication. Every drill is an opportunity to hear more voices. And every player—no matter how shy—can become a vocal contributor if the environment is right.
So, challenge your team this week.
Make communication the focus. Celebrate effort. And most of all—get your players talking.
